17362 research outputs found
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Synthesis, structural elucidation, fire retardancy and mechanical properties of cyclotriphosphazene derivatives blended with polyurethane lacquer as wood coatings
No full textThis study synthesized cyclotriphosphazene derivatives and evaluated their fire retardancy and mechanical properties for use in wood coatings. Two hexasubstituted cyclotriphosphazene derivatives with dodecyl and hydroxy groups were successfully synthesized. These compounds were subsequently characterized by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy and CHN elemental analysis. The thermal stability of the cyclotriphosphazene compounds was assessed using TGA, while the fire-retardant properties of each coating were evaluated through LOI. Both compounds exhibited good fire retardancy compared to pure epoxy resin, with LOI values of 24.71 (dodecyl) and 25.80 (hydroxy) wt.%, respectively. The LOI results show that coatings made with these nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing compounds demonstrated a significantly improved retardant effect when combined with polyurethane lacquer, compared to polyurethane alone. In addition, the physical and mechanical properties of these derivatives were analysed to assess potential drawbacks of the additives. The essential indicators of the quality of the lacquered wood panel surfaces were: the determination of resistance to household chemicals (ASTM D 1308-2), determination of temperature change resistance (ASTM D1211-97 (2001)), determination of adhesion: cross-cut test (ISO 2409-2007(E)), determination of impact (BS 3962 Part 6:1980) and determination of abrasion (ASTM 4060-10). These tests revealed that the performance of the surface coating systems was significantly influenced by the coating formulation
Rail construction cost risk management with bow-tie analysis: Contractor’s perspective
No full textPurpose – This study aims to examine the risks of cost overrun in rail construction from the contractor’s perspective. A three-phase approach is proposed (initial, planning and execution) to enhance comprehension of risk management optimization. Design/methodology/approach – Data collection involved distributing questionnaires to rail construction cost management professionals. The instrument was built by identifying key themes, concepts and findings from literature and pilot surveys. Data analysis consists of integrating the findings into a Probability Impact Matrix (PIM) and bow-tie diagrams based on probability and impact assessments. The diagrams created detailed risk mitigation tables and simplified response planning. Findings – Initial data analysis showed 36 factors causing cost overruns in 3 phases of rail construction. The responses were analysed by probability and impact, forming a risk matrix, which wasthen translated into a bowtie diagram. The information was then incorporated into the PIM that assists in determining appropriate risk responses based on risk levels. The index values ranged from moderate to very high. The execution phase exhibited the highest impact, particularly with risks associated with incompetent work schedule management and overdependence on specialist works, indicating a need for proactive risk mitigation strategies. Originality/value – This research indicates that the execution phase poses significant risks to rail cost performance, particularly in schedule and sub-contractor management. While contractors bear significant responsibility during this phase, government must be active in mitigating cost-related risks. Additionally, individual experience is crucial as contractors, clients and consultants are recommended to be adequately experienced to ensure a seamless process, minimal errors and effectively address multiple risks in the rail construction
Dataset of a complete genome sequence of Vibrio owensii v2 isolated from diseased Sabah’s red algae seaweed, Kappaphycus alvarezii
No full textKappaphycus alvarezii, a primary source of k-carrageenan, is a popular cuisine in Malaysia, particularly in Sabah. Recently, Vibrio owensii was detected in farmed K. alvarezii. V. owensii is a pathogen known to cause diseases in humans and is also an opportunistic pathogen affecting K. alvarezii, leading to reduced quality and yield of the seaweed. The genome sequence of V. owensii strain v2 was sequenced using the DNBSEQ-G400 platform. The genome is composed of two chromosomes, measuring 3,255,511 bp and 2,308,715 bp, with a G+C content of 45.6 % and 45.8 %, respectively. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that this genome strain shares 67 % similarity with other V. owensii strains genome. This reports the analysis of virulence factors, antimicrobial resistance genes, and other relevant categories to better understand the pathogenicity of V. owensii towards K. alvarezii
A preliminary study on microplastics contamination in wild fishes caught from urbanised Sepanggar river of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
No full textUrban areas with high population densities generate high levels of plastic waste from human activities, potentially raising microplastic levels in riverine systems. Microplastic pollution in rivers pose serious risks to fish through ingestion, toxicity, and bioaccumulation. Nevertheless, the paucity of previous studies on fish microplastic contamination in Sabah, Malaysia highlights knowledge gaps in this area. Thus, this study aimed to provide a preliminary assessment of microplastic contamination in fish from the urbanised Sepanggar River in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. A total of 39 fish samples were caught from the river, dissected into muscles and internal organs, and digested with 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH). Microplastics were then extracted using the density separation method in 5M sodium chloride (NaCl) and counted by shape, colour, size, and polymer type. The present study demonstrated that microplastics were detected in 77% of fish caught from the Sepanggar River, with an average of 5.28 ± 6.51 items/fish. Small-sized (97%), fragment (54%) and black colour (40%) were the most prevalent characteristics of microplastics found in fish while rayon (23%) was the most prevalent polymer type. Microplastic abundance in internal organs (3.54 ± 3.63 items/fish) was significantly higher than that in muscles (1.74 ± 5.10 items/fish). The characteristics of ingested microplastics varied significantly by fish species, most likely due to the different feeding habits and diets. This study provides the first confirmation that fish in the Sepanggar River were contaminated by microplastics from adjacent domestic and industrial activities. Improved waste management is needed to monitor and reduce long-term microplastic pollution
Peat soil behaviour stabilised with by-product of manufacture of edible oils
No full textPeat settlement is a significant challenge in construction due to its high compressibility, moisture content, poor shear strength, and prolonged settlement behavior under load. Tropical peat soils, in particular, exhibit the highest settlement rates over extended periods, leading to instability in structures built on such soils. These challenges are evident in numerous construction and coastal high-rise projects where peat soil often serves as a foundation material. Despite the critical need, limited research has been conducted on stabilizing peat soils using eco-Processed Pozzolan (EPP). This study investigates peat soil stabilization using EPP through consolidated undrained triaxial tests. The objectives include evaluating the index properties of peat soil, assessing its shear strength under various effective stresses, and analyzing the mechanical properties of EPP-stabilized peat before and after treatment. The results indicate that untreated peat soil recorded shear strength increases of 51.94% at 25 kPa and 186.77% at 50 kPa of effective stress. For EPP-treated peat soil, shear strength improvements were more pronounced. At 25 kPa, T5-25, T10-25, and T15-25 recorded shear strengths of 198.14 kPa, 33.46 kPa, and 21.07 kPa, respectively. At 50 kPa, T5-50, T10-50, and T15-50 exhibited significant increases, with values of 576.77 kPa, 95.72 kPa, and 210.54 kPa, corresponding to percentage increases of 191.09%, 186.07%, and 899.24%, respectively. These findings underscore the potential of EPP in enhancing peat soil properties, offering a sustainable solution for mitigating settlement-related issues
Mohammad A. Quayum and Grace V. S. Chin (eds.). the postcolonial millennium: new directions in Malaysian Literature in English. Oxfordshire, UK: Routledge, 2024.
No full textThe current collection, comprising of nine essays, that was first published as a special issue in the Journal of Postcolonial Writing (Chin and Quayum 2021) departs from Quayum and Wicks’ earlier work, Malaysian Literature in English: A Critical Reader (2001), hence, it is a stock taking effort 20 years after the Malaysian Anglophone tradition was first categorised as a corpus requiring serious literary attention. Unsurprisingly then, in its introduction, like its predecessor, the collection charts the history and unease that the local English-medium literary works have experienced with the state, its policies and the spill-over effects on the Anglophone writing tradition of the country
The influence of emotional intelligence competence on teachers' job performance in secondary schools, Sarawak
No full textThis study is aimed at identify the influence of emotional intelligence teachers work performance among secondary school teachers in Sarawak, Malaysia. The non-experimental study utilised the survey method by combining several variable sampling techniques to obtain samples. Data was collected through a set of adapted questionnaires administered to 363 teachers. Descriptive analysis shows emotional intelligence competence and teachers work performance being practised at a high level. One-way ANOVA test results show that there is a significant difference in emotional intelligence competence and teachers work performance based on teaching experience. Multiple regression analysis also shows that there is a significant influence of emotional intelligence competence towards teachers work performance. The findings show that the overall contribution predicted by emotional intelligence competence towards teachers work performance is 54.4 percent. Implications and recommendations for further studies are also discussed
Attitudes toward science as mediators between perceptions of classroom environment, family involvement, self-efficacy, and science achievement
No full textPrevious research has indicated that attitudes influence various factors contributing to scientific achievement. Inadequate performance in science can limit career opportunities, underscoring the importance of comprehending how attitudes towards science can enhance overall scientific achievement. This study explored the mediating effect of attitudes towards science for the relationships between perceptions of science classroom environment, family involvement, and science self-efficacy with science achievement. This research was conducted as a non-experimental quantitative research. Questionnaires from modified established instruments, Test of science-Related Attitudes, What Is Happening In this Class, Family Involvement Questionnaire- High School Version, Sources of science Self-Efficacy, and science Achievement Test, were sent out to participants via Google Form on different days for a span of two weeks. A total of 148 Form 2 lower-secondary school students from various districts in Sabah participated in this study. Data were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling method. The results revealed that Social Implications of science had a significant positive mediating effect between perceptions of science classroom environment and science achievement. Additionally, there was no significant mediating effect of attitudes toward science on the relationship between science self-efficacy, and family involvement with science achievement. Overall, this study suggests that an aspect of attitudes toward science, the Social Implications of science, was an important mediator between students’ perceptions of science classroom environment and science achievement. This meant that students would perform better in science when they perceived their science classroom better, in the condition that they value the implications that science brings to real life
Predation on Rattus baluensis (Thomas, 1894) by Trimeresurus sabahi Regenass & Kramer, 1981, in Sabah, Borneo.
No full textThe Sabah Bamboo Pitviper, Trimeresurus sabahi Regenass & Kramer, 1981, was first described from Mount Kinabalu, Kulapis River, Sabah, East Malaysia (Regenass and Kramer, 1981; Vogel et al., 2004). The species was previously recognised as endemic to Borneo, but was later found to be more widespread across Southeast Asia after a taxonomic revision by Wostl et al. (2016), who synonymised T. barati Regenass & Kramer, 1981, T. buniana (Grismer et al., 2006), T. fucatus Vogel et al., 2004, and T. toba David et al., 2009 with T. sabahi. These taxa are at present recognised as subspecies of T. sabahi (Uetz et al., 2024), whose nominate form is restricted to Borneo
Physicochemical, thermal, and polymorphic properties of binary blends from bambangan stearin and palm stearin
No full textIncreasing demand for sustainable and functional fat alternatives in the food industry has prompted research into fat modification resulting in specialty fats production that can imitate cocoa butter. This study investigates the binary blends of bambangan and palm stearin, focusing on their physicochemical, thermal, and morphological properties. The blends were blended in five different ratios, with the addition of palm stearin not exceeding 30%. The results show that the iodine value (33.78 to 34.24 g iodine+/g), slip melting point (33.25 to 38.35 °C), and acid value (1.31 to 1.59 mgKOH/g) of the blends were influenced by the palm stearin content. The melting behaviour and crystallisation properties of the blends analysed using differential scanning calorimetry revealed an improved melting profile compared to the palm stearin. The binary blends exhibited desirable polymorphic transitions to the stable β(v) form, preferred for chocolate applications. Notably, the blend with 70% bambangan stearin and 30% palm stearin (BS5) demonstrated an improved triglyceride profile with a reduction of tripalmitin content and melting properties similar to cocoa butter, reducing the waxy texture typically associated with palm stearin. The findings suggest that BS5 produced from bambangan seed waste is a functional, cost-effective alternative confectionery product, offering stability and desirable thermal properties