13474 research outputs found
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Accessibility of disabled toilet for wheelchair user in public buildings in Kuala Lumpur / Najiebah Majdi
No full textAccording to Department of Statistics Malaysia, the highest number of People with Disabilities (PWD) registered have physical disabilities where this group of people face difficulties in moving and executing task. As the population of PWDs in Malaysia is increasing, the demand for the right to access public buildings such as government institutions, transportations, tourist attractions and healthcare also has been rising especially in Kuala Lumpur. In this research, disabled toilet has been selected as the main facility to be assessed. Therefore, the two objectives for this study are to assess the accessibility of disabled toilet in public buildings in Kuala Lumpur and to evaluate the compliance or applicability of Malaysian Standard in the design of the disabled toilet. In order to measure the accessibility of disabled toilet, questionnaire survey is conducted where respondent’s view and opinion on current condition of disabled toilet are collected. Next, two public building of four sectors which are healthcare, tourism, business or retails and transportation been chosen and access audit are been done by comparing the measurement with guidelines provided in Malaysian Standard (MS 1184:2014): Universal Design And Accessibility In The Built Environment. Based on the result obtained, it can be observed that Transportation sector received the lowest score for both in term of accessibility and applicability of Malaysian Standard while Healthcare and Business or Retails has the highest score which indicated that these two sectors had done a great job providing a barrier free facility. Items that need improvements are the height of toilet paper and installing an emergency alarm inside every disabled toilet
Cleaner production strategies in steam methane reforming process for hydrogen production / Thineswary Naidu Genggayanaidu
No full textHydrogen gas is a clean fuel, when consumed in a fuel cell, produces only water. It makes an attractive fuel option for transportation and electricity generation application. As the world moves towards a more sustainable approach, hydrogen gas has a promising future in the role to play as a clean energy. Among the different technologies, steam methane reforming (SMR) is the most vital and economic process, being used in most of the hydrogen manufacturing industries. SMR comes with advantages such as initial low capital investments, greater scalability and sitting flexibility for locations unable to accommodate more traditional larger reactors. Besides that, SMR also has the potential of enhanced safety and security compared to other technology available. However, the drawback is that SMR emits significant carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as a byproduct of hydrogen production. For 1 kg of hydrogen produced, about 4 kg of CO2 is emitted directly from the process alone, not accounting to the indirect CO2 emission.
Therefore, in this work, an overall assessment was conducted for the full life cycle of steam methane reforming process to identify possible greening opportunities using cleaner production (CP) strategy. From this initiative, a checklist and general guideline that can be used to green the current operations has been developed in order to reduce the carbon footprint.
Thereafter, a CP audit was carried out in a SMR production site which is located at Melaka. Based on the analysis, carbon footprint can be possibly reduced from 7,430 tons monthly to 4,963 tons monthly for the current hydrogen production monthly with all the CP options
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proposed. This is equivalent to 66.8 % of reduction from the total of 7,430 tons of CO2 emitted without implementing any CP strategies. Based on the CP options, those falls under the category of implementation without cost (immediate actions) are given the highest priority followed by implementation with cost, whereby the Rate of Investment (ROI) is lesser than 5 years and future implementation. The three finest CP options were installing steam traps at the steam drum, changing the current technology to electrolysis and installing Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) to the existing SMR has tremendous potential to reduce carbon footprint, increases the efficiency of the process and improves the quality of the product
Modeling of generative design for wire arc additive manufacyuring (WAAM) / Wang Yazhuang
No full textGenerative design is a new design method that can generate many qualified models in a short period of time, which is very innovative and convenient. As a kind of additive
manufacturing technology, wire arc additive manufacturing technology has a very wide range of applications, the wire size of wire arc additive manufacturing technology
determines that it can be used to manufacture special parts of generative design models. For the generative design method and wire arc additive manufacturing, the report has
carried out a very detailed introduction. This research also used Autodesk Fusion360 software to explore generative design, and performed shape optimization analysis on
conventional model, and then performed static stress analysis on the model after generative design and shape optimization analysis. Through the comparison of static
stress analysis results, a model that is more suitable for arc additive manufacturing is selected. Finally, a generative design guide that can be manufactured by arc additivemanufacturing technology is initially explored, and future research work is prospected
Understanding molecular interaction between sulfadoxine and human serum albumin through spectroscopic and molecular docking methods / Jaslene Anne Francis
No full textThe main aim of this study was to characterize the molecular interaction between sulfadoxine (SDN) and the major transport protein in the blood plasma, human serum albumin (HSA) using fluorescence, absorption, circular dichroism and voltammetric techniques along with computational methods. SDN-induced changes in the fluorescence intensity of HSA hinted the complex formation between SDN and HSA. Both values of the bimolecular quenching rate constant and UV-Vis absorption spectral results characterized the quenching of HSA fluorescence as static quenching. Analysis of the
quenching results showed a moderate binding affinity (Ka = 3.39×104 M‒1 at 300 K) between SDN and HSA. Thermodynamic data (ΔS = + 104.42 J mol–1 K–1, ΔH = + 5.25 kJ mol–1) suggested participation of hydrophobic interactions as the main binding force in the complex formation. Secondary and tertiary structural changes along with microenvironmental perturbation around protein fluorophores were also noticed upon SDN binding. The voltammetric spectral analysis further supported the complex formation between HSA and SDN. Competitive ligand displacement results, as well as computational analysis, revealed binding of SDN to Sudlow’s Site I, located in subdomain IIA of HSA
The impact of culture shock on intention to quit among the Malaysian Army recruits: Does mentorship matter? / Faizi Zulkifli
No full textIntention to quit among employee is becoming progressively vital and understanding why intention to quit happen is a very important issue that needs to be tackled by the organisation. The present study looks into the issue of intention to quit among recruits in the Basic Army Training Centre, Port Dickson. Malaysian Army has wasted a lot of money and time when this happens to this training establishment. The impact of Culture Shock and Intention to Quit is examined in the military context. The study was conducted in two phases (Phase I – Preliminary Study and Phase II – Questionnaire Survey).
Phase I – Preliminary Study was conducted with fifteen participants – five from the dismissed recruits, five from recruits that passed the training and five instructors. This preliminary study aimed to explore what is the actual cause of this phenomenon. A content analysis of open-ended questions and interview data identified five themes: Culture Shock, Stress, Frustration, Fatigue and Disorientation. Importantly, five themes that emerged were the main cause of Intention to Quit in this study and was well represented in ABC Culture Shock Theory. Subsequently, this finding was used to develop a research framework for Phase II – Questionnaire Survey.
Phase II – Questionnaire Survey was conducted with four hundred respondents during the earlier stage of their training. The data collected was then analysed by using Statistic Package of Social Sciences Version 25 (SPSS ver. 25) and Partial Least Square – Sequential Equation Model (PLS – SEM). SPSS was used to validate the data normality and descriptive analysis. Meanwhile, PLS – SEM was used to analyse the relationship of all the constructs that were hypothesised. Before the hypotheses testing was conducted, the reflective measurement model and structural model assessment were conducted. The results showed that all testings were in the acceptable parameter. The PLS – SEM results showed that out of the seventeen hypotheses, thirteen hypotheses were supported and three hypotheses were not supported namely: the relationship between Fatigue and Intention to Quit, Fatigue mediate the relationship between Culture Shock and Intention to Quit, and Mentorship moderate the relationship between Stress and Intention to Quit.
The research provides useful insight into the effect of Culture Shock and Intention to Quit, particularly in the military context. It is anticipated that the finding of this research will contribute to the Malaysian Army Headquarters as they tackle the issue of Culture Shock among recruits that lead to Intention to Quit. Finally, study implication, limitation, future research and conclusion are highlighted
Prevalence of dental caries, oral-health related quality of life, and oral health inequalities among Libyan pre-school children in Benghazi / Lamis Abdelrahim Fathulla Ballo
No full textBackground: Dental caries persists as a public health problem that significantly affects
individuals and societies. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is significantly
identified as a serious worldwide public health concern. Oral health inequalities exist in most
countries, and these disparities in health vary between and within countries.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate dental caries prevalence and experience, oral health
related quality of life and oral health inequalities and the associated factors among six-year-old
children in Benghazi, Libya.
Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis of Benghazi Children Dental Health
Survey conducted in the year 2017. The survey collected data on oral health status and
treatment of children aged 6, 12 and 15 years of age. For this study, we only analysed data for
706 children aged 6 years, which included dentition status based on World Health Organisation
diagnostic criteria, and socio-demographic, feeding and oral behavioural information collected
via self-administered questionnaires. Information on oral health related quality of life was
gathered using Arabic Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (A-ECOHIS). Permission for
using data and ethical approval for the study were obtained. Data was analysis using SPSS and
level of significant was set at 0.05.
Results: A total of 706 children were included in data analysis. 71.1% of participants had at
least one decayed tooth (dmft?1). The average scores of dmfs and dmft were 5.39 ± 7.37 and
3.23± 3.32, respectively. Children who were from worse-off families and whose parents
reported near bedtime intake of sugars and lower frequency of tooth brushing were more likely
to have higher dmfs (P?0.05). OHRQoL impacts (score >0) has been reported by 499 parents
(70.7%), with the average score of 5.37± 6.58 for the overall ECOHIS. Child impacts were
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reported by 69.4% of participants, with an average of 4.13 ±4.87. Family impacts were reported
by 34% of participant, which has an average of 1.24 ±2.28. The highest mean of scores was
1.29±1.10 in the child symptoms domain and the lowest mean of scores was 0.24±0.36 in the
family function domain. Educational level of mothers and fathers, and occupation of fathers
significantly impacted the children�s quality of life. Health inequalities were observed in caries
experience and OHRQoL of the children.
Conclusion: Dental caries prevalence and experience was high in 6 years old Libyan children
and was associated with negative impacts on oral health related quality of life. Health
inequalities exists in children oral health and oral health related quality of life. The results of
this study demonstrating the need to urgent planning of oral health programs in order to tackle
these problems.
Keywords: Dental Caries �ECOHIS � OHRQoL � Sociodemographic Factors- Behavioural
Factor
The relationship of obesity with falls among older adults / Kioh Sheng Hui
No full textBoth falls and obesity are major public health issues in older adults and have been
identified as the fifth leading cause of death among older adults. The relationship between
obesity and falls have been conflicting in the limited publications available. This doctoral
research comprised: 1) a cross-sectional study on obesity and falls, 2) a prospective study
on obesity and falls and 3) an intercontinental comparison of relationship between obesity
and falls. The study populations consisted of adults aged ≥55years from the Malaysian
Elders Longitudinal Study (MELoR), the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer
- Norfolk study (EPIC- NORFOLK) and Bavarian Research Foundation-Sarcopenia and
Osteoporosis study (FoRMOSA). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC),
waist hip ratio (WHR) and percentage body fat (%BF) were associated with falls. Body
composition contributed to 69% of the association between BMI and falls. Prospective
analyses revealed WHR was a stronger risk factor compared to BMI, WC and %BF.
International comparisons found significant associations between BMI and falls in both
Caucasians and Asians. BMI remained as an independent risk factor for falls among
Caucasians but not Asian upon adjusting for body composition. In conclusion, this study
has provided new knowledge on obesity and falls in challenging the value of BMI, with
WHR proposed as a suitable alternative. In the interim, our findings may assist health
professionals and policy makers with the formulation of culturally relevant and targeted
fall prevention interventions to prevent falls among older adults with obesity.
Keywords: Accidental Falls, Anthropometric, Obesity, Cultural, Older Adult
Greening animal farm: A case study for a pig farm / Ananda Pragasha Nair
No full textPork meat is a highly consumed globally due to good taste and being relatively more nutritious than red meat. Hence, there is always a growing demand and need for intensive
pig farm production. Currently, successfully operated pig farms practise closed-farming system, also termed Modern Pig Farm (MPF), which basically means all farming operations are done indoors, including waste storage and treatment. The Penang Government had recently passed a law mandating all Penang pig farms to meet the requirements of a MPF system. A pig farm in Penang (open-air farm) was identified as
case study for this Research, with the main aim of providing sustainable green farming measures to improve the farm’s overall performance to meet MPF standard. A site visit
was held at the farm for site observation and data collection. The sample for raw pig waste was also collected at the farm and sent for laboratory analysis. The total pig waste generation was estimated at 51 tonnes/day. A conceptual design for the farm’s overall waste treatment system was able to be provided, using a combination of different components for an overall Biogas system integration that will not allow discharge of solid
or liquid if it does not meet the relevant discharge regulation parameter. There were many ore recommendations for greening measures described in this Study, covering all
aspects of farming production, such as improving pig pen design for better wastewater collection and reducing food waste, odour control methods, disinfection protocols, diet
manipulation of pigs for higher growth performance, lesser chance of disease transmission, drainage design for optimum waste flow and others. This shows that there are many potential greening tools and measures for further improvement on sustainable pig farming
Design of an intelligent car air conditioning louver for efficient cooling of car interior compartment / Dick Chang Jai Hau
No full textThe increase of car usage in the current century seeks for more comfort in the car even
the back passengers. Major characteristics passengers look for are the air flow from the
louver. Louvers require to be adjusted manually by the front passengers and maybe
dangerous for driver to adjust when they are only passenger in the car. Previous research
found primarily improving or adjusting the components air supplies before entering the
louvers. However, this still unable to direct the air flow to the desired locations. In this
research, with the integration of Solidworks and Ansys Fluent application, I was able to
simulate the situation of air flow occur in the car. By creating the body structure of a car,
the cavity model was extracted along with the parallel position of the louver. Results were
obtained and based on that, the louver is adjusted to fulfill desire location for one to four
passengers respectively. As for the louvers, it is designed to be integrated with servo
motor, microprocessor, and infrared sensors. As the infrared sensor triggered by the
passenger through wearing the seat belt, the signal will send to the microprocessor and
transfer desired output signals based on the completed simulations. Having the intelligent
louver that auto-adjust based on the number of passengers a car removes the hectic for
the passengers to adjust them manually
Physicochemical studies of triazolyl benzoate amphiphile and the effects of different glycolipids towards its critical micellar concentration / Nurul Faiezin Zul
No full textBasic molecular structure of natural fatty acids consisted of polar carboxylic acid headgroup (hydrophilic) connected to non-polar hydrocarbon tail (hydrophobic). However, the addition of a heteroaromatic as a linker between the regions and how they interact within the molecules in self-assembling structure were not well explored. The structure has inspired us to prepare and investigated a synthetic amphiphile constructed from the similar headgroup and alkyl chain but connected by triazolyl group, named as para-decyloxymethyl triazolyl benzoate (p-DMTB). The triazolyl was sufficiently produced from Copper(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition between 4-azidobenzoic acid and alkyl acetylene. Purity and molecular elucidation of the amphiphile were analyzed from 1H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy, Fourier-Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and elemental analysis. Self-aggregation of p-DMTB in basic condition has been investigated by using various methods such as surface tension, electrical conductivity, absorbance and emission intensity. The results showed that the amphiphile self-aggregated at extremely low concentration (0.10 mM) influenced by the heterocyclic and aromatic moieties in the amphiphile structure. The amphiphile was then investigated in the presence of glycolipids with three different alkyl chain lengths: octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (OG), decyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (DG) and dodecyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (DDG). Series of mixed p-DMTB-glycolipids solutions have been prepared with a fixed-volume ratio of 9 to 1. The samples were analyzed using surface tension, turbidity and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements. The results suggested that the presence of OG, DG and DDG have disturbed the aggregation of p-DMTB in the mixture solution by increasing the Critical Micellar Concentration (CMC) value of p-DTMB. Consistent with the earlier part of the investigation, p-DMTB without glycolipids was stable due to the headgroup and hydrophobic interactions with additional interaction from aromatic phenyl and heterocyclic triazolyl. However, the presence of glycolipids within p-DMTB aggregation has reduced the effectiveness of interactions that exist within the amphiphile molecules. Therefore, additional interactions such as hydrogen bonding and π-π interaction within p-DMTB molecule could be another co-factor for the amphiphile to self-aggregate more effectively without the presence or help from the glycolipid co-surfactant