19672 research outputs found
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A Stochastically Geometrical Poisson Point Process Approach for the Future 5G D2D Enabled Cooperative Cellular Network
No full textDue to recent developments in the cellular communication system, stochastic process implementation is necessary. The cellular communication system exhibits random patterns in various domains, thereby compelling the utilization of stochastic processes to achieve an optimal output. User behaviors with respect to the variable geographical pattern, population density, architecture, data usage, and mobility over various cells are random in nature. Therefore, the stochastic-geometry-based Poisson point process (PPP) technique can be implemented to accurately analyze these random processes in device-to-device (D2D)-based cooperative cellular networks. The stochastic modeling entails the consideration of transmitters and receivers as the elements of stochastic point processes. The hexagonal method is not applicable for the implementation of heterogeneous network topologies, as it is not suitable for topologies, in which the cell size is not fixed. Therefore, a randomly designed heterogeneous network uses stochastic geometry as a viable solution for predicting the probabilistic parameters, including the cell interference, load distribution, coverage probability, base station (BS) mapping, and signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). Moreover, as a network architecture that is based on relay nodes (RNs), cellular and D2D users can be utilized in the domain of homogeneous random models. The associated phenomenon can be considered independent and Poisson. In this paper, the stochastic-geometric-based PPP approach is introduced for modeling the SINR, success probability, ergodic capacity, and outage probability for the D2D-enabled cooperative cellular network. The proposed PPP realistic model utilizes BS, RN, the cellular user (CU), and D2D user positioning method to design an interference-free network. The success probability, ergodic capacity, and outage probability for cellular and D2D users are used as metrics for evaluating the results with respect to various SINR threshold values and node densities. Moreover, the total success probability, ergodic capacity, and outage probability have been calculated for various multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna configurations to validate the results. The results confirmed that the proposed PPP model approach outperforms the grid model and conventional multi-antenna ultra-dense network (UDN) approaches. © 2013 IEEE
Effects of acids pre-treatment on the microbial fermentation process for bioethanol production from microalgae
No full textBackground: Microalgae are one of the promising feedstock that consists of high carbohydrate content which can be converted into bioethanol. Pre-treatment is one of the critical steps required to release fermentable sugars to be used in the microbial fermentation process. In this study, the reducing sugar concentration of Chlorella species was investigated by pre-treating the biomass with dilute sulfuric acid and acetic acid at different concentrations 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9% (v/v). Results: 3,5-Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method, FTIR, and GC-FID were employed to evaluate the reducing sugar concentration, functional groups of alcohol bonds and concentration of bioethanol, respectively. The two-way ANOVA results (p < 0.05) indicated that there was a significant difference in the concentration and type of acids towards bioethanol production. The highest bioethanol yield obtained was 0.28 g ethanol/g microalgae which was found in microalgae sample pre-treated with 5% (v/v) sulfuric acid while 0.23 g ethanol/g microalgal biomass was presented in microalgae sample pre-treated with 5% (v/v) acetic acid. Conclusion: The application of acid pre-treatment on microalgae for bioethanol production will contribute to higher effectiveness and lower energy consumption compared to other pre-treatment methods. The findings from this study are essential for the commercial production of bioethanol from microalgae. © 2019 The Author(s)
Spray coverage and pest management efficacy of a solid set canopy delivery system in high density apples
No full textBACKGROUND: Air blast sprayers are not optimized for spraying the short statured trees in modern apple orchards, resulting in off target drift and variable coverage. A solid set canopy delivery system (SSCDS) consisting of a microsprayer array distributed throughout the orchard was investigated as a replacement agrochemical application method in this study. SSCDS's have the potential to optimize coverage, rapidly spray applications, and remove the operator and tractor from the orchard. RESULTS: Air blast and SSCDS applications were compared using water sensitive paper, bioassays, and pest damage assessments. Pest management and coverage were compared using application volumes of 700 and 795 L ha−1, respectively. In 2013, adaxial coverage measurements showed no difference between the treatments, but air blast sprayers had higher coverage levels on the abaxial surfaces. There were no significant differences in coverage in 2014. Bioassays using Choristoneura rosaceana fed on leaf discs treated by the SSCDS displayed 95.8% mortality in 2013 and 94.2% mortality in 2014, and air blast treated larval mortality was 95% in 2013 and 100% in 2014. Damage evaluations in both years generally showed no significant differences between the air blast plots and the SSCDS plots, but significant differences between the treated plots and untreated control. CONCLUSIONS: The prototype SSCDS was an effective pest management tool in high density apples, and offered a number of advantages over an air blast. Further engineering and research into coverage optimization would offer producers a novel tool for foliar agrochemical applications. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industr
Prevalence of obesity and its associated risk factors among post- basic renal care nursing students
No full textObesity is one of the most common, yet among the most neglected, public health problems around the world and it is strongly associated with various non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery diseases. Health care personal especially nurses play an important role in educating public to have healthy lifestyle. However, there is an alarming rate of increase in number of obesity among nursing students as well as staff nurses. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the anthropometric measurements and its associated risks among post-basic renal care nursing students. Total of 142 post-basic renal care nursing students of five intakes were included in this cross-sectional study. The result of the study showed that 52% of participants were either overweight or obese although most of them were below 40 years of age. Majority of overweight or obese students were Malays and 78% of them being female. We also observed an association of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and waist circumference (WC)with increasing body mass index (BMI) (P= 0.001, P= 0.001 and P < 0.001) which were statistically significant. Wald criterion estimated that WC and DBP were the most important predictors of BMI in present study. Our study concluded that obesity is prevalent among post-basic renal care nursing students. Urgent and appropriate action should be taken to deter the growing problem of obesity among nursing students and to avoid its subsequent complications in Malaysia. © 2019, Malaysian Public Health Physicians Association
The prevalence of enamel and dentine caries lesions and their determinant factors among children living in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas
No full textObjective: To determine the prevalence and severity of dental caries (at dentine and enamel levels of diagnosis) amongst Malaysian children and to investigate determinant factors associated with caries detection at these different thresholds. Methods: This study involved life-long residents aged 12 years-old in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas in Malaysia (n=595). The survey was carried out in 16 public schools by a calibrated examiner, using ICDAS-II criteria. A questionnaire on socio-demographic and oral hygiene practices was self-administered by parents/guardians. Data were analysed using Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression. Results: The overall response rate was 74.4%. Caries prevalence at the dentine level or at the dentine and enamel level was significantly (p0 = 82.4%, D4-6 MFT>0 = 53.5%) than in the fluoridated area (D1-6 MFT>0 = 68.7%, D4-6 MFT>0 = 25.5%). Considering only the decayed component of the index, no significant differences were observed between the two areas when the detection threshold was set at enamel caries (D1-3) (p=0.506). However, when the detection criteria were elevated to the level of caries into dentine (D4-6) there were clear differences between the fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas (p=0.006). Exposure to fluoridated water proved a significant predictor for lower caries prevalence in the statistical model. Children whose father and mother had a low monthly income had a significantly higher dentine caries prevalence. Conclusion: Results confirmed existing evidence of the benefit of water fluoridation in caries prevention. Detection criteria set at caries into dentine shows clear differences between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas. Exposure to fluoridated water and socio-economic status were associated with caries prevalence. © BASCD 2019
The Turning Point in an Unwanted Teenage Pregnancy: A Psychoemotional Perspective
No full textIntroduction: Malaysia is a multiethnic country that allows freedom of religion with Islam being the most professed religion. Under the Islamic teachings, premarital sex is forbidden. Nonetheless, at present, there is an increasing number of teenage pregnancies among the Malay Muslims as a consequence of premarital sex. The objective was to obtain a detailed understanding of how pregnant teenagers make sense of their experience with unwanted pregnancy from a psycho-emotional perspective. Methods: Purposive sampling through the application of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed. Face to face interviews were conducted with 10 participants that were 17 years old. Results: Three themes emerged from the present research (a) transformation of self, (b) transition to motherhood and; (c) spiritual strengthening. Conclusion: All participants experienced turning points in their lives in which they made sense of their experience resulting in positive changes. © 2019 UPM Press. All rights reserved
Adaptive reuse of historical buildings: Service quality measurement of Kuala Lumpur museums
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this paper is to focus on the impacts that the adaptive reuse of historical building has on museum service quality by analysing the visitors’ expectations and perceptions through the HISTOQUAL model. It looks deeper into investigating the enhancement of adaptive reuse approach to historical buildings not only to the surrounding environment, but also to the building’s cultural significance. Design/methodology/approach: A field survey implementing quantitative approach was conducted by using questionnaires to collect the visitors’ expectations and perceptions on their visits to the selected case study sites. The selected two case study sites are both newly adaptive reuse museums located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Through these case studies, the visitors’ expectations and perceptions were analysed and the differences were identified. Findings: Positive feedback on the level of service quality provided at both museums indirectly shows the success of adaptive reuse initiative on the historical buildings towards adapting their new functions as a museum. It was also noted that foreign language leaflets and facilities for less able visitors were among the two service criteria that do not exceed the expectations of users. In general, these findings are crucial in identifying the gap within the services provided and appropriate measures that can be undertaken for further improvement. Research limitations/implications: Further study can be employed to a larger population of study to cater for a variety of perspectives from both users and managers of the buildings. Practical implications: This paper highlights the implications of users’ feedback towards building usability and functions. It provided imperative findings from the users’ point of view pertaining to the services provided. Social implications: The paper illustrates the significance of social perceptions on the implications of service delivery. It also reports empirical evidence in highlighting the importance of users’ attributes towards excellent service delivery. Originality/value: Up to present, there exists a small number of studies that look into reviewing the new functions of adaptive reuse buildings. This study now contributes to create a larger number of studies in this scope, especially within the context of Malaysia. © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited
Regulatory arbitrage in relation to international human rights
No full textThe adoption of the United Nations (UN) Charter in 1945 marked the legalization of international human rights. Despite the legalized status of human rights, their violation by states is not uncommon. This article questions why a state might violate international human rights. Analyzing this issue from an economic perspective, this article advances regulatory arbitrage theory to rationalize a state’s violation of human rights. It discusses regulatory arbitrage-type behaviors among state actors that derogate from the obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights. Defending state sovereignty, minimizing regulatory or compliance costs, and prioritizing economic achievement are identified as rational arbitrage actions that circumvent international human rights. We call for competent and credible governance mechanisms that can increase the cost of arbitrage, to disincentivize state violation of international human rights. © 2019, © 2019 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Fabrication and characterization of YSZ/ScSZ bilayer electrolyte via Cold- Isostatic Pressing (CIP) method for intermediate temperature-solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC) application
No full textSolid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology has advanced significantly in the recent years, and now is an interest of many renewable energy-related industries to invest. However, the main issue of SOFC is the high operating temperature that negatively influence its performance. To reduce the temperature, a method of using bilayer electrolyte is proposed. In this study, a bilayer electrolyte of Yttria-Stabilised Zirconia (YSZ) and Scandia-Stabilized Zirconia (ScSZ) is used with the objective to reduce the temperature of SOFC to intermediate temperature ranges. To achieve the objective, bilayer YSZ/ScSZ electrolyte has been fabricated at different compositions using cold-pressing method. The pellets were sintered at three different temperature of 1350 °C, 1450 °C and 1550 °C. In this studies, all the prepared pellets were characterized under Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to examine its microstructure, Archimedes Method to measure the density and Electochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to measure the conductivity. The results show that all of produced pellets are dense and ionic conductivity showed a rising trend as sintering temperature increases. Based on this study, the best composition is the pellet with combination of 25% YSZ: 75% ScSZ sintered at 1450 °C. © Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia Publisher's Office
Probing the methodology of Avicenna's epistemic theories
No full textIn the present research, the aim was to examine some of the metaphysical foundations of knowledge from the view point of Avicenna whose theories of knowledge were influentially echoed in the epistemic theories in the Islamic world and the next schools of thought. The main problem with the statement of current research is a critical question of whether Avicenna's metaphysical foundations are capable of forming a representative operation for our knowledge that is accurately representing the external world. If his metaphysical foundations fail to justify the fact that our knowledge represents the real world as it is, the metaphysical foundations of his epistemology, in spite of his realism, would inevitably slip into a fundamental gap between the known-object and the knower-subject. Such research on the principles of epistemology of Avicenna who is one of the pioneers of major thought stream in Islamic philosophy i.e. Peripatetic philosophy, can open up new perspectives for further systematic research on epistemic aspects in his doctrine. © 2019, Primrose Hall Publishing Group