UMT Journal Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
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DISAGGREGATION OF HOUSE ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION USING PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION
No full textThis paper presents disaggregation of appliances’ energy consumption for a residential house using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The disaggregation process provides useful information about the time and duration of each appliance on when they are switched on, which can contribute to close monitoring of appliance activities in a house. Firstly, the data of aggregated electricity loads comprising six different appliances is measured and plotted based on total power (Ptotal) over time. The data is then formulated based on combinatorial optimization (CO) problem which represents the load disaggregation model that contains the sum power of all six appliances when they are switched on. The CO problem is solved by using PSO by setting up the population of particles to represent each appliance. The random number of each population is generated based on appliance’s power state when switched on, where the total appliances power (Papp) is represented as the sum of all six particles data. Thus, by using the known value of appliance on state as optimization boundary parameters, the CO problem is evaluated by PSO following the Integral Squared Error (ISE) minimization problem of Ptotal and Papp. The optimization results give good convergence criteria with accurate percentage of time taken for every appliance in use. [206 words
SPECIES RICHNESS AND SOIL PROPERTIES IN Nepenthes HABITAT AT BRIS ECOSYSTEM IN SETIU, TERENGGANU
No full textA study was carried out to investigate the species richness of Nepenthes in the BRIS ecosystem at Kampung Rhu Tapai, Setiu, Terengganu, and their relationship with soil parameters. Selective sampling was conducted in two sites (Plot A and B) using a 100 m2 quadrat in each site. Nepenthes were identified to species level, and the number of individuals was counted. Soil samples were taken next to the Nepenthes’ rhizosphere to determine the soil properties. A total of 689 Nepenthes individuals were found within the plots, which comprises three species: Nepenthes ampullaria, N. gracilis and N. rafflesiana. Independent samples t-test was conducted to compare the number of individuals in Plot A and Plot B. The result suggested that the abundance of Nepenthes spp. between these two sites was not significantly different. Regarding the species, Nepenthes gracilis was found in a high abundance in both plots. Nepenthes in these sites thrived in the soil with low pH value, ranging from 3.4 to 3.9. Meanwhile, the percentages of organic matter in the study area were ranging from 12.30% to 72.80%
CHARACTERISATION OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM KEFIR MILK MADE FROM DAIRY AND NON-DAIRY SOURCES AND THEIR SENSORY ACCEPTANCE
No full textKefir is fermented milk obtained by fermenting milk with kefir grains. Chemical composition from dairy and non-dairy sources may affect the growth and characterisation of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). In this study, different sources of milk (cow milk) and non-dairy milk (soymilk and coconut milk) were used as fermentation media for kefir products. The objectives of the study were to isolate and characterise LAB from Kefir drink using dairy and non-dairy milk. LAB were isolated using different cultural methods such as MRS Agar, MRS with 0.8% CaCO3 and M17 Agar. The characteristics of LAB isolates were determined using morphological, biochemical tests and API 50 CHL Kit. Sensory evaluation of the sample of kefir drinks was also determined. Results confirmed that the isolates identified were Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus brevis 1, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus acidophilus 3 and Lactobacillus plantarum 1. The L. buchneri, L. brevis, Leu. mesenteroides and L. acidophilus are heterofermentative bacteria, whereas, L. plantarum is homofermentative bacteria. Four LAB isolates have the potential to be used as probiotic strains due to their high resistant to pH and bile salt. The sensory score of these products in the range of 5.00 to 8.00 in nine point hedonic scale. Most of the sensory panelists preferred cow milk (p < 0.05) than coconut milk kefir and soy milk kefir in the sensory evaluation in all attributes. Meanwhile, the preference between coconut milk kefir and soy milk kefir was similar (p>0.05) in all attributes. Therefore, this study will provide benefits to probiotic manufacturers to produce alternative probiotic drink using dairy and non-dairy milk
ASSESSING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN BUILDING BLUE SOCIAL CAPITAL FOR MARITIME COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: Article 4
No full textThe purpose of this study is to assess the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the development of maritime communities and to build the concept of blue social capital. Blue social capital comprises a social network, social trust and development resilience that take place in the Internet. As individuals constantly accept ICT changes, it helps them to obtain information easily as well as increase their social capital. However, there are still a handful of maritime communities who do not know that the blue social capital may help promote their well-being and present them with the benefits of development. Lack of exposure in ICT is one of the reasons that some people do not understand the potential of blue social capital. The problem of cybercrime and poverty will also occur if the maritime community members are not trained to use ICT. This study uses a systematic literature review to examine the relationship between ICT and building of blue social capital towards maritime community development. The literature review analyses arguments between social capital components and ICT. An expected result is a positive relationship between ICT and blue social capital in the context of maritime community development. Future research should focus on blue social capital community empowerment in urban areas
MILLENIAL’S BEHAVIOUR AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS NATURAL COSMETICS: A CASE STUDY IN UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA TERENGGANU
No full textInvesting in natural cosmetics contributes to the sustainability of natural resources in two ways – the emission of less harmful by-products, and the conservation of ecosystems through sustainable harvesting of resources. Therefore, studying students’ (millennials’) behaviour and attitude towards these products may help improve awareness-raising approaches on their benefits for local market acceptance. A study was conducted in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Malaysia with the aim to understand the current perception and habits of UMT students towards natural cosmetics and their readiness to convert to natural cosmetics. 521 responses were collected through an online survey that focused on three themes: Stage of Change, Decisional Balance Inventory, and Product Knowledge and Perception. The study found that most of the respondents (79%) claim to be using natural cosmetics, while only nine percent are not considering at all. Eighty-six percent of those users practice label reading habits although most respondents could not distinguish natural cosmetics from synthetic ones if solely based on personal knowledge and appearance of product. This proves that product design does influence customers’ purchasing behaviours. Moreover, results indicate that existing natural cosmetic users are quite likely to maintain the habit, while others are still indecisive. Meanwhile, label reading habits are quite likely to be maintained by many respondents. Hence, based on results, businesses should acknowledge that there is a demand in natural cosmetics among Malaysian millennials, and should increase their promotional activities, improve product design and affordability in order to grab consumers’ attention to switch from synthetic to natural cosmetics
THE EFFECTS OF NITROGEN AND CARBON DIOXIDE GASES IN REDUCING THE PRICKLING AND TINGLING SENSATIONS IN FRESH-CUT PINEAPPLE (Ananas comosus L cv. Morris)
No full textFresh-cut pineapple has experienced an increase in demand due to its great health benefits and is rich in vitamins A, B and C. Moreover, pineapple is known as a source of the enzyme bromelain, which has therapeutic applications, such as reducing inflammation, improving digestion and treating osteoarthritis. However, bromelain generally affects the pineapple’s flavour and is less preferred by consumers due to the uncomfortable prickling and tingling sensations it brings. In the present study, two types of gases and their combination, nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), were used to evaluate their impacts on reducing the tingling and prickling sensations, as well as maintaining the postharvest qualities of fresh-cut pineapple stored at 5°C for 12 days. The parameters being evaluated were the bromelain enzyme activity, flesh colour, ascorbic acid concentration, flesh firmness, soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA) and sensory evaluation. No significant differences were recorded for all parameters tested. Based on the sensory evaluations, all the attributes, such as colour, aroma, texture, sweetness, sourness, tingling and prickling sensations, and overall acceptance were not affected by the different gases application. Even though no apparent effect was observed, the 30 panellists preferred the aforementioned attributes, except sourness. In conclusion, the fumigation treatments with N2 and CO2 gases were not effective in reducing the tingling and prickling sensations of pineapples cv. Morris
MICROBIAL COMMUNITY PROFILING OF DIGESTED SLUDGE FROM PILOT PLANT BIO-DIGESTER
No full textThe production of biogas involves different microbial groups working in a synchronously and closely interactive manner. In Malaysia, biogas production from food waste is an encouraging alternative for sustainable energy production. Therefore, to better understand and optimize process, identification of the microbial community involved in anaerobic digestion (AD) is essential. The purpose of this study is to identify the microbial characteristics under different AD conditions to establish the links between microbial community structure and operational condition efficiency. The pilot plant bio-digester production performance will be determined by analysis of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal efficiency for 43 days. Next, when the performance of the digester has achieved an optimum level of removal efficiency, a sample of digested sludge will be taken for further analysis of microbial community profiling by undergo DNA extraction, amplifying DNA and Next Gene Sequencing (NGS) technology. The results show that the COD removal efficiency at an optimum level is 93%, while the percentage of methane gas composition inside the digester is 69%, indicating a very high efficiency for the digester. Thus, the lower the concentration of COD effluent, the higher the concentration of COD removal efficiency. Besides, an optimum an optimum level of COD removal efficiency indicates active microbial activities inside the bio-digester. Furthermore, the microbial community structure with operational conditions at various states of anaerobic digestion is summarizing. These findings are important as microbial characteristics of digested sludge is important to manage and optimize biogas production
A REVIEW ON FACTORS INFLUENCING SUCCESS OF GROUPER SPERM CRYOPRESERVATION
No full textThis review was conducted to support information gathering on development of sperm cryopreservation techniques and protocols including factors such as type of cryoprotectants, extenders, cooling rates and dilution ratio and the impacts of those factors towards sperm cryopreservation of 10 different grouper species. Groupers are high-value marine species that contribute significantly to the income of Southeast Asian countries which are important as aquaculture producers. Thus, sperm cryopreservation is essential to support the development of grouper seed production and culture. Giant grouper is the most studied grouper species due to the fast-growing ability which enables to produce high-value interspecies hybrids for commercialization purposes. The most used cryoprotectant for sperm cryopreservation among various grouper species is dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). Among the extenders, sodium chloride (NaCl) is reported to be the most commonly used due to easy preparation, relative effectiveness and availability of the solution which enables local farmers to easily extend storage of the grouper sperm. Most grouper species seem to have a wide range of optimal cooling rates. However, some species exhibit the narrow range of optimal cooling rates. Optimal cooling rates were also possibly affected by the type and concentration of cryoprotectant. Dilution ratios used to cryopreserve grouper sperm seemed to vary. Sperm of brown-marbled grouper and seven band grouper to report dilution ratios of 1:49 while other grouper species sperm worked better at dilution ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:4 and 1:9. Grouper sperm cryopreservation protocol in general is species-specific and the optimization has to be done species by species to increase overall productivity. Grouper sperm cryopreservation is applicable and can be used to enhance seed production
DENSITY AND STRUCTURE OF LEAF TRICHOMES IN Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens
No full textMorphology and density of plant trichomes vary by species. Several studies on family Solanaceae have shown the diversity of trichomes among species and cultivated plants, but less research on density and morphology of trichomes in the genus Capsicum. The aim of this study is to determine the density and type of leaf trichomes from Capsicum annuum and C. frutescens. The structure of trichomes was observed under light microscope equipped with Dino Eye. The density of trichomes was recorded using stereo microscope as the number of trichomes per cm2 multiplying the total area of the leaf. Glandular and non-glandular trichomes were covered on abaxial and adaxial surfaces of both species. No significant difference was observed for trichome density between adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces within species (C. annuum, t(8) = 1.37, p= 0.21, and C. frutescens, t(8) = -0.23, p= 0.82). However, mean trichome density on the abaxial surfacesof C. annuum was significantly lower than C. frutescens (F (3,16) = 3.79, p= 0.03). The density of glandular trichomes occurred on leaf midrib of C. frutescens (8.17 + 1.22 cm-2) was higher than C. annuum (4.20 + 0.42 cm-2; t(8) = -3.74, p= 0.02). This study provides basic knowledge of leaf trichomes structure and the density of cultivated chili plants in Malaysia
FORECASTING ELECTRICITY SUPPLIED IN TURKEY USING HOLT-WINTERS’ MULTIPLICATIVE METHOD AND ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK (ANN) MODELS
No full textElectricity is one of the most essential necessities in today’s world and has an important role for the development of societies and economics. The need for electricity is expanding continuously due to increasing population, urbanization and industrialization. Hence, the purpose of this study was to develop the best model for forecasting electricity supplied in Turkey by applying the multiplicative Holt-Winters method and multilayer feed-forward neural network model. The monthly electricity supplied in Turkey from January 2000 until December 2019 were obtained from monthly electricity statistics report presented by the International Energy Agency (EIA). The data were divided into two sets comprising in-sample data from January 2000 until December 2015 and out-sample data from January 2016 to December 2019. The multiplicative Holt-Winters was used since the electricity supplied in Turkey exhibit trend and seasonal gave the out-sample forecast of 3.6990. The best multilayer feed forward neural network (MFFNN) model with three input lag variable, one hidden node, one output node, sigmoid transfer function in hidden layer and linear transfer function in output layer gave the out-sample forecast of 2.1483. Hence it can be concluded that, the multilayer feed-forward neural network model is more accurate than multiplicative Holt-Winters method to forecast the electricity supplied in Turkey