23 research outputs found
Production, characterization and optimization of ganodiesel from the biomass of Ganoderma lucidum produced in air-L-shaped bioreactor / Lim Teik Chee
No full textThe escalating demand for alternative and sustainable energy sources, induced by the exploitation of fossil fuels and the surge in greenhouse gas emissions, has generated attention towards exploring rapidly-growing filamentous fungi as a potential bioenergy source. The objective of this study is to optimize Ganoderma lucidum production for enhanced biomass and lipid yields in submerged liquid fermentation. The optimization involved varying initial pH, glucose concentration, and agitation rate using response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD). The results showed that glucose concentration and initial pH significantly influenced biomass production, while agitation rate had an insignificant effect. For total lipid production, all three factors (glucose concentration, initial medium pH, and agitation rate) were identified as significant factors. The optimized conditions for both responses (initial pH 6, 50 g/L glucose concentration, and 113 rpm) were validated in 500 mL shake flasks and a 3 L Air-L-Shaped Bioreactor (ALSB). In shake flasks, the biomass yield was 8.33 g/L and a lipid content of 2.17%, whereas the ALSB system yielded 5.32 g/L of biomass and 2.35% lipid. The G. lucidum mycelium lipid was extracted using solvent extraction, and the lipid profile was analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection. The main fatty acids identified included palmitic acid (C16:0) at 18.60%, stearic acid (C18:0) at 6.44%, oleic acid (C18:1) at 16.21%, and linoleic acid (C18:2) at 48.11%, which are recognized as major components of biodiesel. The G. lucidum mycelium lipid was converted into biodiesel (Ganodiesel) through acid-catalyzed transesterification, and subsequently evaluated in compliance with international biodiesel standards (ASTM D6751-08 and EN 14214). In addition, the findings suggested that the morphology of mycelial pellets varied across different fermentation conditions, resulting in distinct morphological characteristics for each condition. This study provides valuable insights into the potential of G. lucidum as an alternative biodiesel source by demonstrating optimized fermentation parameters and biodiesel production that comply with international standards
On the optimal alpha-k curve of the sample myriad
No full textThe alpha-k (alpha - k) curve is an important tool for real-time myriad filtering problems in channels with time-varying impulsiveness. In this letter, we use the asymptotic variance as the criterion to derive the optimal alpha - k curve. We then suggest a new expression for the optimal curve and compare it to the conjectured expression in earlier works
Autofocus algorithms performance evaluations using an integrated SAR product simulator and processor
No full textThe design and development of synthetic aperture radar
(SAR) system for a particular application often requires redesign of software and hardware to optimize the system performance. In addition, evaluations of the performance of existing autofocus and image formation algorithms are required for the SAR system designers to select a most suitable algorithm for a given image quality requirements. This is a time-consuming taskwithout a reconfigurable
and comprehensive software package. Thus, a comprehensive SAR integrated simulator and processor software is needed to aid the system designers in optimizing all the system parameters and performance. This paper presents an integrated SAR simulator and processor (iSARSIMP) software package and the performance of three selected SAR autofocus algorithms has been evaluated as examples to demonstrate the usefulness of the iSARSIMP for SAR system designers. In the performance evaluation, simulated and actual SAR raw data were used for further analysis and comparison of the three selected autofocus algorithms
From plural society to Bangsa Malaysia : ethnicity and nationalism in the politics of nation-building in Malaysia
No full textThe question of nation-building has always been a central issue in Malaysian politics. Whilst the country has been able to sustain a relatively stable politics since the 1969
tragedy, and hence spawn a rapid economic development (at least until the 1997 Asian economic crisis), the project of nation-building remained a basic national agenda yet
to be fully resolved. This study investigates the delicate process of nation-building in Malaysia in the post 1970s, especially in the context of the vision of constructing the
Bangsa Malaysia or 'a united Malaysian nation' enshrined in Mahathir's Vision 2020 project which was introduced in 1991. The aim of the study is firstly, to examine the
underlying socio-political parameters that shaped and influenced the politics of nation-building in the country, and secondly, to explore the viability of the project of
Bangsa Malaysia in the context of the daunting challenges involved in the process of nation-building. Drawing from a range of theoretical frameworks as well as from
both primary and secondary data, the study contends that, based on the Malaysian experience, the potent interplay between the forces of ethnicity and nationalism
constitute the crux of the problems in the politics of nation-building in Malaysia. This dialectic it is argued, stems from the prevalence of the varying perceptions of 'nation-of-intent' within and across ethnic groups. These phenomena have not only shaped the pattern of ethnic political mobilisation in the country, but above all, laid the most complex set of obstacles in the path of the project of nation-building. This study argues that the project of constructing the Bangsa Malaysia therefore, can be seen as a significant attempt by the state to reconcile the varying ethnic ideologies of nation-of-intent.
It can also be considered as an attempt to consolidate Malay nationalism and cultural pluralism, thus, depicting 'the nation' as a 'mosaic of cultures', or reflecting a creation of 'a supra-ethnic' national identity. However, the viability of the envisaged
project is yet to be tested. The concept itself is still vague to many people and the challenges ahead are enormous, involving political, economic, socio-cultural and
religious issues. Indeed, the project risks becoming the 'latest' in the series of competing notions of nation-of-intent circulating in Malaysia. This study contends
that whilst, to some extent, the socio-political landscape of Malaysian society has been rapidly changing, especially under the eighteen years of Mahathir's reign,ethnicity still pervades Malaysian political life. This study differs from many previous studies on nation-building in Malaysia which have mainly focused on either the historical dimensions or those which have examined the impact of key national policies. As such, it is hoped that this study would be able to provide an alternative perspective in the analysis of ethnic relations and nation-building in Malaysia, thus broadening the understanding of Malaysian politics and society
Unveiling the Practices and Challenges of Professional Learning Community in a Malaysian Chinese Secondary School
No full textProfessional learning community (PLC) studies in the Asian Chinese nations remain scarce despite the
emerging interest in the practice of PLC beyond the Western context. This study attempts to provide an
understanding of the practices of PLC and challenges in implementing PLC in a Malaysian Chinese culture–
dominated secondary school. This qualitative study used a phenomenological constructivist approach as a
strategy of inquiry. Semi-structured interview data were collected from six middle leaders and ordinary
teachers in a national-type Chinese secondary school in the northern region. Findings informed three
existing PLC practices at the school level, namely, (a) peer coaching, (b) sharing of personal practices, and
(c) professional development courses. However, the practice of PLC encounters various challenges,
including excessive workload, teachers’ passive attitudes, unsupportive conditions in the school, poor
execution of PLC by the school community, and a vague understanding of PLC. Interestingly, this study
identified two uncovered challenges hindering the development of PLC: misconception about PLC and lack
of supervision from the authority. Implications and future studies are presented
Exploring the factors affecting purchase intention of smartphone : a study of young adults in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Perak Campus, Malaysia
No full textUnveiling the practices and challenges of professional learning community in a Malaysian Chinese Secondary School
No full textProfessional learning community (PLC) studies in the Asian Chinese nations remain scarce despite the emerging interest in the practice of PLC beyond the Western context. This study attempts to provide an understanding of the practices of PLC and challenges in implementing PLC in a Malaysian Chinese culture–dominated secondary school. This qualitative study used a phenomenological constructivist approach as a strategy of inquiry. Semi-structured interview data were collected from six middle leaders and ordinary teachers in a national-type Chinese secondary school in the northern region. Findings informed three existing PLC practices at the school level, namely, (a) peer coaching, (b) sharing of personal practices, and (c) professional development courses. However, the practice of PLC encounters various challenges, including excessive workload, teachers’ passive attitudes, unsupportive conditions in the school, poor execution of PLC by the school community, and a vague understanding of PLC. Interestingly, this study identified two uncovered challenges hindering the development of PLC: misconception about PLC and lack of supervision from the authority. Implications and future studies are presented
Unveiling the practices and challenges of professional learning community in a Malaysia Chinese School
No full textProfessional learning community (PLC) studies in the Asian Chinese nations remain scarce despite the emerging interest in the practice of PLC beyond the Western context. This study attempts to provide an understanding of the practices of PLC and challenges in implementing PLC in a Malaysian Chinese culture–dominated secondary school. This qualitative study used a phenomenological constructivist approach as a strategy of inquiry. Semi-structured interview data were collected from six middle leaders and ordinary teachers in a national-type Chinese secondary school in the northern region. Findings informed three existing PLC practices at the school level, namely, (a) peer coaching, (b) sharing of personal practices, and (c) professional development courses. However, the practice of PLC encounters various challenges, including excessive workload, teachers’ passive attitudes, unsupportive conditions in the school, poor execution of PLC by the school community, and a vague understanding of PLC. Interestingly, this study identified two uncovered challenges hindering the development of PLC: misconception about PLC and lack of supervision from the authority. Implications and future studies are presented
Production of Ganodiesel from the biomass of Ganoderma lucidum in air-L-shaped bioreactor (ALSB)
No full textThe increasing need for alternative and sustainable energy sources, prompted by the depletion of fossil fuels and the rise in greenhouse gas emissions, has generated attention towards exploring fast-growing filamentous fungi as a potential bioenergy source. This study aimed to optimize Ganoderma lucidum production for elevated biomass and lipid yields in submerged liquid fermentation. The optimization involved varying initial pH, glucose concentration, and agitation rate using response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD). Glucose concentration and initial pH significantly influenced biomass production, while agitation rate had an insignificant effect. For lipid production, glucose concentration, initial medium pH, and agitation rate were identified as significant factors. The optimized conditions (initial pH 6, 50 g/L glucose concentration, and 113.42 rpm) were validated in 500 mL shake flasks and a 3 L Air-L-Shaped Bioreactor (ALSB). Shake flask results showed 8.33 g/L of biomass and 2.17 % of lipid, while the ALSB system produced 5.32 g/L of biomass and 2.35 % lipid. The obtained Ganoderma lucidum mycelial lipid underwent acid-catalysed transesterification to produce biodiesel, which was subjected to several tests to comply ASTM and EN standards. This study serves as a valuable reference for future biodiesel applications through the optimization of Ganoderma lucidum biomass and lipid production
776 Accelerated Infliximab Infusion Protocol for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Safety and Cost-Effectiveness Study in an Asian Tertiary Center
No full text
