Risk assessment in waste sampling activity for a selected food industry / Nurul Syazreen Razali

Waste sampling is one of the main activities during environmental audit. This activity has been estimated as a non-risky activity and lead to inadequate risk assessment in the activity. The purpose of this study is to create a safer workplace for enforcement body in general and DOE officer in specific during waste sampling activity. Main objectives are to identify the hazards, further assess the hazards and determine the control measure to reduce the hazards. Observation and on-the-job training have been conducted to three food industry located in Shah Alam to identify the hazards. Structured surveys were conducted with 293 participants to further identify hazards among DOE officers. Risk assessment and risk control have been tabulated in HIRARC form after hazards identification process. The study showed that there were potential concerns in chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic hazards in waste sampling activity during environmental audit. The analysis from survey showed that the officers were aware of the hazards exposed but lack of implementation in risk control. Most of the respondents agreed that risk control could eliminate or reduced the hazards exposure. From HIRARC form, there were 3 high risk hazards from the total of 43 hazards identified which needed immediate action in order to eliminate or reduced the risk. Risk control has been suggested in this study including the involvement of premises to provide a safer waste sampling point. It can be concluded that there are significant hazards in waste sampling activity although most of them are at low and medium risks. Without proper action taken by the employer and officer, these hazards can be a threat to life and property damage

Investigation of dielectric properties of urine for pregnancy and bladder cancer detection / Zhu Chaozhe

Detection and monitoring of pregnancy and bladder cancer are important for medical treatment and nursing. Urine has diagnostic and prognostic values for pregnancy and bladder cancer due to the presence of biomarkers. This study investigated the dielectric properties of human urine and compared them between two groups: 1) non-pregnant healthy female volunteers and pregnant healthy female volunteers, and; 2) healthy subjects and patients with bladder cancer. An open-ended probe network analyzer was used to measure the urine dielectric constant (Ɛ’) and dielectric loss (Ɛ’’) at microwave frequency ranging from 0.2GHz to 50GHz at 25˚C (room temperature), 30˚C and 37˚C (body temperature). Urine samples from 110 non-pregnant healthy female volunteers and 110 pregnant counterparts were collected to determine the correlation between human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone levels and dielectric properties. For the bladder cancer study, 35 healthy subjects and 35 patients were recruited from the University of Malaya Medical Center (UMMC). In the analysis of results, subjects and patients with the presence of glucose, protein, bacteria, ketone or hemoglobin in urine were excluded. As a result, 30 healthy subjects and 30 pregnant women were involved for the pregnancy study while 10 healthy subjects and 10 subjects with bladder cancer were involved for the bladder study. Generally, the dielectric properties of urine decreased with temperature before the crossing point, and they increased again after the crossing point. In the study of pregnancy, the Ɛ’ and Ɛ’’were observed to be significantly different between the urine samples of the two groups across all three temperatures. The urine of pregnant women had significantly lower Ɛ’ than non-pregnant women (p<0.05), while Ɛ’’ was significantly higher in pregnant women (p<0.05). They correlated positively with hCG levels at low frequencies (rmax=0.868, f=2.4GHz) but negatively at high frequencies (rmax=-0.877, f=46.2GHz). In cases of bladder cancer, the dielectric properties were generally lower in healthy subjects compared to patients, especially at 25°C. Similar to pregnant women, they decreased with temperature before the crossing point and increased thereafter. Statistically significant differences in Ɛ’ and Ɛ’’ were observed between healthy subjects and patients (P<0.05). A high level of correlation was observed between urinary exfoliated urothelial cells and the dielectric properties of the urine at 25°C. The Ɛ’ correlated negatively with urinary exfoliated urothelial cells (rmax=-0.662, f=5GHz) while Ɛ’’ correlated positively with urinary exfoliated urothelial cells (rmax=0.664, f=40.6GHz)

The rhetorical structure and persuasive principles used in Malaysian smartphone web advertisements / Thenmalar Chandran

The aim of this study is to identify the rhetorical structure used in Malaysian smartphone web advertisements. This study also aims to identify how the principles of persuasions are realised in the Malaysian smartphone web advertisements. The five websites used for the purpose of this research were selected based on a Google Search which indicated the top five most popular and accessed websites. The first five websites that were shown and selected were www.11street.com.my, www.directd.com.my, www.satugadget.com.my, www.ipmart.com.my and www.lazada.com.my and 11street.com.my. The five smartphone models and brands were selected based on the latest International Data Corporation (IDC) Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker which was recorded in the year 2016. The moves found in the web advertisements were identified using Bhatia’s framework for advertisements (2004) while the principles of persuasions used in the web advertisements were identified using Cialdini’s principles of persuasion (2007). The findings of this research showed that the moves in the advertisements not only serve the communicative purpose of informing and introducing the details of the smartphones to the readers but also persuade them to buy the product. It was also found out that the smartphone web advertisements have some moves that were not specified in Bhatia’s framework for advertisements (2004). In short, this study is able to add on some literature in the field of genre analysis and also enrich the framework proposed by Bhatia (2004) for a specific product

A multimodal study of the legitimization of violence in Rumiyah / Nazri Mohd Noor

This study explored the process of legitimization of violence in Rumiyah magazine produced by al-Hayat Media Center (ISIS). It employs a multimodal approach consists of van Leeuwen (2008) legitimization strategies and Kress and van Leeuwen (2006) visual social semiotics to analyse texts and semiotic resources found in the selected articles. The qualitative method used is an inductive thematic analysis which reveals several thematic categorizations, i.e., (1) the impersonalisation of ‘others’, (2) the legitimization of jihad value, and (3) the (de)legitimization of ‘fasiq’ scholars. The analysis conducted highlights the recurring use of legitimation strategies and visual social semiotic metafunctions to justify violence in the Rumiyah magazine. The overall analysis indicates a complex interaction between the discursive and semiotics aspects of the study that are governed by ISIS’s ideological goals. Keywords: ISIS, discursive legitimization, social semiotics, terrorism, Rumiya

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of ultrasound foetal images using visualisation toolkit (VTK) / Grace Anabela Henry Dusim

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound images has been used for easier analysing of anatomy related to abnormalities. 3D image reconstruction is required as it helps doctors interpret results and assess any defects quickly. Not only does it improve the accuracy of diagnosis, but it also saves a lot of time. In this thesis, 295 slices of 2D ultrasound images of a foetal are used to do 3D reconstruction using surface rendering, volume rendering, and multiplanar rendering technique. A similar software known as 3D Slicer is also used to reconstruct the ultrasound image for comparison purpose. VTK can easily reconstruct the ultrasound image into a 3D image. It also allows for the measurement of foetal biometry, hence, reducing the risk of measurement inaccuracy. Other than that, multiplanar rendering allows the operator to view the 3D image in multiple planes without having to mentally imagine the plane as what has been done in a 2D ultrasound. In conclusion, VTK can clearly and accurately reconstruct a 3D image as well as measuring the length between two points. This software can help a lot of physicians in assessing any foetal abnormalities faster and accurately

The impact of positive psychological resources on career success among academic staff in Sudan / Mohammed Mustafa Mohammed Yousif Fadul

Career success is important in shaping individual vocation’s identity. Different individual will have various perceptions about their career accomplishment; whether they feel successful or otherwise. This research aims to investigate the impact of positive psychological resources on career success among academic staff in public universities in Sudan. This due to the importance of career success in contributing to both individual’s performance and organisational growth. The research is guided by protean career theory (PCT), conservation of resource theory (COR), and self-determination theory (SDT) for explaining the theoretical framework. On the other hand, the conceptual framework informed by protean career orientation (PCO) as an independent variable, career adaptability (CAA) and psychological capital (PsyCap) as mediator variables, academics’ career success as the dependent variable, and Islamic work ethics (IWE) as a moderator. Data were collected from 398 academic staffs who work in public universities in Sudan using a drop-off and pick-up survey method. Data were analysed by using Smart-PLS and PROCESS macro software. The results revealed that PCO, CAA, and PsyCap were significantly related to academics’ career success. Additionally, the results emphasised that CAA and PsyCap mediate the relationships between PCO and academics’ career success. However, the moderated-mediation of IWE is not found in through the career adaptability path. This research provides implications both theoretically and practically including to the leaders in the universities to recognise PCO and psychological resources as important attributes to increase the level of academics’ motivation, and strength in order to determine their career success. Finally, the limitations of this research are discussed, and the directions for future research are suggested

Investigation on the potential of dried blood stain for the detection of amphetamine type stimulants by enhanced methods of liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry / Fathiah Ahmad Zubaidi

The investigation on the potential of dried blood stain for Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) has been divided into four major parts, from which independent conclusions are drawn. The first part is the development and validation of a novel method for the simultaneous determination of the drugs using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometer (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The method is enhanced from normal Multi-Reaction Mode (MRM) to Multi-Reaction Mode-Enhanced Product Ion Mode- Multi-Reaction Mode 3 (MRM-EPI-MRM3) and tested in whole blood specimens (WBS), dried blood stain (DBS) and urine specimens as well as applied to real forensic cases in Malaysia. The ATS are confirmed by their retention times, as well as the respective ions in MRM mode, complemented with higher level of detection using EPI (library matching) and unique identification by combinations of ions in MRM3 mode. The second part covers another novel technique of Flow Injection Analysis (FIA)-MRM3 spectrometry for the differentiation of prime critical isomeric compound related to ATS; methamphetamine and phentermine. The technique is designed to shorten the analysis time to 2 min by eliminating the chromatography/separation part and focusing on the strength of MRM3 mode in spectrometry part. From the validation and real samples testing, the both of isomeric compounds are successfully discriminated and gives a new dimension on high throughput analysis in the forensic field. While the third task evaluates the reliability of DBS versus WBS technique using Mean Concentration Ratio and Bland-Altman statistical analysis. he results show no significant difference for the ATS in the both techniques proving that the DBS method can be applied interchangeably in the future. The evaluation of DBS has been extended to testing the stability and efficiency of the medium during storage period in part four. The variants studied include the time and temperature in Malaysia for 6-month period of DBS storage. The study proves good stability and efficiency of ATS drugs and establishes the performance of DBS as an alternative and innovative method to be implemented in forensic analytical purposes

A centralised multi-objective model predictive control for biventricular assist devices / Vivian Koh Ci Ai

Heart failure is defined as failure of heart to deliver adequate blood flow rate to support tissue perfusion. Heart failure can be treated by implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for left heart failure patients, or a biventricular assist device (BiVAD) for bi-heart failure patients. Since left heart failure predominates right heart failure, all commercial ventricular assist devices are LVADs. Therefore, two LVADs are frequently used as BiVAD for bi-heart failure patients. Clinically, the constant speed (CS) control of BiVAD fails to adapt pump flow rate according to physiological changes, thus putting patients at risk of ventricular suction and pulmonary congestion. Speed regulation of a BiVAD may be complicated by process interactions in a cardiovascular-biventricular assist device (CVS-BiVAD) environment. Therefore, in this thesis, a centralised model predictive control (MPC) that could handle process interactions in a multivariable control problem was proposed. Three objectives were proposed in this thesis. Firstly, a simple state-space model of the CVS-BiVAD system was required prior to the development of an MPC algorithm. For this purpose, a complex CVS-BiVAD model was simplified by reducing the number of state variables. New model parameters were optimised using a least squares function and manual tuning approach. The simplified state-space model consists of state and time-varying factors. Therefore, the second objective was to modify a conventional centralised MPC algorithm to cater for the state and time-varying factors of the CVS-BiVAD system. Multiple control objectives were included in the MPC algorithm to: a) adapt pump flow rate according to the Frank-Starling (FS) mechanism, b)avoid ventricular suction, and c) avoid vascular congestion. This modified MPC iscalled the centralised multi-objective model predictive control (CMO-MPC). The CMO- MPC was benchmarked against two non-centralised control schemes: CS control and FS-like-proportional-integral (PI-FS) control under two patient scenarios: exercise and postural change, in silico, as the first stage evaluation. In exercise, CMO-MPC and PI-FS control increased cardiac output from 5.1 L/min to 7.1 L/min and 6.9 L/min, respectively. CMO-MPC avoided suction and congestion in both patient scenarios as compared to CS control and PI-FS control, based on the assumptions made on risks of suction (mean atrial pressure below 3 mmHg) and congestion events (mean atrial pressure above 18 mmHg). The assumptions only served as a proposed idea and can be changed by clinical experts. The third objective was to evaluate this CMO-MPC in-vitro using a mock circulation loop. In the in vitro study, CMO-MPC avoided pulmonary congestion in the exercise test while PI-FS control and CS control failed to. In the transient region of postural change test, CMO-MPC (2.0 mmHg) had a higher minimum right ventricular end diastolic pressure than PI-FS control (1.2 mmHg), suggesting that CMO-MPC had lower risks of right ventricular suction as compared with PI-FS control. It is therefore proposed that the CMO-MPC should be a safe physiological controller for BiVAD in the future when reliable pressure and flow sensors become clinically available. In vivo validation is also required to increase the confidence of use of CMO-MPC in the future

In vitro regeneration of Dioscorea alata with anthocyanin and antimicrobial activity / Sakinah Abdullah

An efficient protocol was developed for rapid propagation and regeneration of the Dioscorea alata L. locally known as ‘ubi badak’ because of their rhinoceros-shaped tubers. In the present study, direct and indirect regeneration were induced to produce plantlets of Dioscorea alata L. For direct regeneration explants (leave, stem and node) were cultured on MS media supplemented with various combinations and concentrations of BAP and NAA to induce microshoots and roots formation. The optimum medium for microshoots formation was MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA with the number of microshoot is 23.07±0.44 from node explant. While for root formation, MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l NAA is the optimum medium with mean number of roots formation 17.40±0.58. For indirect regeneration, microtubers formation, callus induction, somatic embryogenesis and synthetic seeds production were studied. MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l NAA and1.0 mg/l BAP, is the best medium for microtubers formation with 15.57±0.18 mean number of microtubers. MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l BAP and mg/l 1.0 NAA was the best medium for microtubers germination with percentage of germination 76.67±0.08 %. Callus induction was obtained on MS media supplemented with various concentration of 2,4-D, NAA, TDZ, BAP, myo-inositol and activated charcoal. Node explant cultured in MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D and 1.0 mg/l BAP added with 0.5 mg/l myo-inositol was the best condition for optimum callus production. Callus were then identified whether it is embryogenic or non embryogenic using double staining method. Embryogenic callus was stained in red and non embryogenic callus was stained in blue. Embryogenic callus was then subculture onto solid and liquid somatic embryos induction medium. MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/l 2,4-D combine with 1.0 mg/l BAP is the best medium for somatic embryos formation from 0.5 cm of embryogenic callus. Synthetic seeds were created by encapsulated propagules (microshoots, node and stem) with 16 different solution of sodium alginate and Calcium chloride dehydrate. In this study, propagules were successfully encapsulated in 2.0 to 5.0 % sodium alginate solution and harden in 25.0 to 100.0 mM Calcium chloride dehydrate solution. The beads varied morphologically with respect to texture, shape and transparency with different combinations of sodium alginate solution and calcium chloride. 3% sodium alginate harden in 100 µM Calcium chloride dehydrate was found to be the best encapsulation solution. Complete plantlets obtained from direct and indirect regeneration were then transferred to greenhouse. Plantlets response positively when acclimatized in garden soil (combination of black soil and red soil at ratio 2 to 1) with 93.33±0.09 % of survival rate. Callus exposed to different photoperiod produced different amount of anthocyanin. The total anthocyanin content was calculated using pH differential method. The highest (295.21 ± 0.20 mg cya-3-glu / 100 g FW) anthocyanin content was obtained from callus exposed to 16 hours light and 8 hours dark. Antimicrobial activity studies reveal that this plant response positively against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp.) and fungi (Penicillium sp., and Mucor sp.) negative effect against Aspergilus nigerand Fusarium sp

A multicriteria aware optimal routing approach for enhancing quality of service in device to device communication / Valmik Tilwari

As the world is moving towards the digitalization era, increasing demands of higher data rates, energy effiffifficiency, and seamless connectivity are skyrocketing. Device-to-Device (D2D) communication is one of the key technologies for future Fifth Generation (5G) network. D2D communication technology enhances network coverage, boosts spectral efficiency, has low latency, and enables the devices to communicate with each other, with partial or none involvement of network infrastructure. Therefore, factors of such nature make D2D communication a promising medium guarantying reliability to several telecommunications scenarios. D2D caters to all the needs of it’s users, from the high demand of peer-to-peer users for data transmissions in Ultra-Dense Network (UDN) to building up a network that is resilient against natural disasters. In the orthodox cellular network, all the users are directly connected with a one-hop link to the network infrastructure. In contrast, for the D2D communication, a relay device is needed due to the multi-hop link between source and destination device for data transmission. For this, a routing approach plays a significant role in achieving efficient and reliable data transmission to the end-users. This study proposed three routing approaches in three main D2D communication scenarios. In the conventional D2D communication scenario, the network topology is highly dynamic and changes in an unpredictable manner due to the high displacement of devices in the network. This scenario affected the stability of the network and established routes which significantly degrades the network performance. Therefore, the Mobility, Residual energy, and Link quality Aware Multipath (MRLAM) routing approach is proposed to optimize the network and route stability for the conventional D2D communication scenario. Meanwhile, in the D2D communication UDN scenario, traffic congestion occurs on a single mobile device when there is an excessive flow of packets, and it carries most of the network traffic. This scenario induces data packets transmission end-to-end delay in the network. Therefore, Multipath Battery, Mobility, and Queue length Aware (MBMQA) routing approach is proposed in order to balanced data traffic load among the mobile devices in the D2D communication UDN scenario. Whereas, in the D2D communication-based Disaster Management Scenario (DMS), the mobile devices are equipped with limited energy resources for their vital operation of data transmission. Thus, the connectivity of the devices suffers from packets drops as soon as the device's energy gets exhausted. Similarly, the mobile devices in the network, change their position frequently, which induces the chance of link failure in the established route. Therefore, Energy, Mobility, Backpressure, and Link quality Routing (EMBLR) approach is proposed in the D2D communication based on DMS to balance the energy consumption load among the devices and ensure reliable data transmission. Extensive simulations have been conducted that illustrate that proposed routing approaches significantly enhanced Quality of Service (QoS) network performance metrics for different D2D communication scenarios as compared with other well-known routing approaches. It is evident that the findings presented in the study are useful for designing the routing approach in future D2D communication. Index terms: 5G network, D2D communication; Internet of things; Routing; Multi criteria decision makin