Synthesis and characterization of hard kappa carrageenan capsule through glyoxal and glyoxylic acid crosslinking

This research is about the synthesis and characterization studies of the hydrogel for hard kappa carrageenan capsule through glyoxal and glyoxylic acid crosslinking. In this work, kappa carrageenan hydrogel were prepared by chemical crosslinking using glyoxal and glyoxylic acid as the crosslinking agent and hydrochloric acid (HCl) as the catalyst. The purpose of this study is to select the best crosslinker material to develop hard kappa carrageenan capsule that can improve its propertis through molecular recognition approach by using crosslink technique. Aqueous kappa carrageenan (3% w/v) was reacted with a certain amount of glyoxal and glyoxylic acid (25%) respectively and HCl (0.1N) at 40°C. After 30 minutes of reaction, the homogenous solution was cooled at room temperature producing gel form. The gel was soaked in the ethanol to remove unreacted residue or chemicals. The obtained hydrogel was air dried at room temperature to constant weight. The FTIR spectra, DSC, TGA and the value of swelling ratio of obtaining hydrogel showed that kappa carrageenan could be crosslinked using glyoxal or glyoxylic acid. Based on the FTIR, there were some functional group detected showed that the crosslinker and kappa carrageenan was successsful crosslinked. There were no significant differences in the swelling degree of hydrogel synthesized in the distilled water and all buffer solution. The crosslinking with a certain amount of glyoxal and HCl may be produce hydrogel with a lower swelling degree. The kappa carrageenan hydrogel was found to be pH sensitive, indicating a high potential to be used in drg delivery polymer syste

The effect of brand trust and brand community commitment on online brand evangelism behaviour

In line with social media development, the online brand community becomes an alternative media that could contribute to overall brand success or vice versa.Among others, the online brand community could significantly affect brand evangelism behaviors.This study attempts to extend the understanding on how members’ brand community commitment influences brand evangelism which is considered as an extra-role behavior from the members.The study among 167 members of the online brand communities revealed that brand evangelism is explained by the uni dimensional construct.The result indicates that trust towards the online brand community and brand community commitment significantly affect brand evangelism.Implication and future research direction are also highlighted at the end of this article

Contractors’ Strategic Approaches to Risk Assessment Techniques at Project Planning Stage

Abstract — The construction industry is still plagued by poor quality, poor workmanship, poor safety and health environment, and poor practices. The current main problem in the Malaysian Construction Industry is delayed projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. The idea of introducing formal risk assessment among Malaysian contractors during the project planning stage is a proactive approach to achieve project objectives. Therefore, this research intends to achieve the following objectives: (1) to investigate the contractors’ approaches of risk assessment techniques at the project planning stage, (2) to investigate the consequences of risk assessment techniques at the project planning stage, and (3) to determine the appropriate risk assessment techniques in dealing with the potential risk factors at the project planning stage. The research methodology applied for this research includes literature reviews and questionnaires. Findings from this research show that the application of risk assessment techniques in the Malaysian Construction Industry is still moderate. Hence, it is suggested that these contractors should try to implement formal risk assessment techniques during the project planning stage in order to achieve the project objectives.Keywords - Risk; Risk Assessment; Contractors; Project Planning Stage; Construction Industry

Generic skills level of bachelor of vocational education students University Tun Hussein Malaysia

The development of a country can be enhanced by the presence of human skills. The direction or goal of a country's development is the main thrust of human capital development which is the most accurate injection of the application of generic skills. According to Mohamed (2014), Malaysia needs to compete with other countries to produce successful human capital. Ministry of Education Malaysia Plan 2015-2025 (Higher Education Report) Vocational College is one of the leading providers of TVET higher education to develop skills to supply skilled TVET workers by 2020

Corporate diversification and financial performance : a literature review

The impact of corporate diversification on financial performance has been subject of some studies from the past. In addition, scholars found positive or negative relationship between the two variables. However, there are some theories and motivation which explain the part of relationship that state in this paper. In this paper, we try to show measurement of diversification and summary of related studies

Keinginan pengguna untuk membeli produk berjenama mewah tiruan: Satu kajian di Malaysia

Pengeluaran dan penjualan produk tiruan merupakan satu isu yang tiada akhirnya dan mejadi masalah yang semakin serius di pasaran antarabangsa amnya dan pasaran Malaysia khususnya.Permasalahan utama berkaitan produk tiruan membabitkan pelbagai aspek iaitu kepada pengguna (kesihatan dan keselamatan), kesannya kepada pemegang IPR ( ekuiti jenama dan kehilangan volum jualan), ekonomi/kerajaan (kehilangan cukai dan isu integriti), pengeluar produk tiruan (risiko perundangan), serta aspek sosial (kehilangan kerja).Peniruan produk di pasaran begitu ketara apabila membabitkan produk berjenama mewah terutamanya bagi kategori produk fesyen daripada jenama-jenama terkenal. Kertas kajian ini cuba mengenal pasti kesan faktor personaliti, dan faktor sosial ke atas sikap pengguna terhadap produk tiruan dan keinginan pengguna untuk membeli produk berjenama mewah yang tiruan di Malaysia

Promoting libraries through wall : Needs, wants and opportunities

Most of the libraries nowadays were changing their promotion strategy by utilizing online social network such as Facebook as a channel to reach their services to the public. Libraries in Malaysia were not left behind in using this opportunities as a platform to promote their services towards the patrons a whole. However, there are still some limitations for the libraries in Malaysia to use Facebook applications thoroughly. Libraries in Malaysia need to do some research and observations to the maximum by utilizing the Facebook application in order for them to attract more patrons utilizing the Facebook that was developed by libraries.Facebook is developed as a medium for the patrons in getting to know the latest information, events, resources, products and services available in the libraries. This paper will focus on the barriers and limitations face by the librarians in using the Facebook towards promoting libraries resources, services, events, products and etc. Moreover, this paper also will discuss on how the libraries in Malaysia promoting their services as compare to the others international libraries. Standard frameworks of Facebook applications will be developed and used by Malaysian Libraries to ensure that they can utilize the Facebook successfully