Preparation and characterization of amine functionalized graphene oxide with water soluble quantum dots for sensing material

Nanocomposite material has been prepared comprises of amine functionalized graphene oxide (NH2-GO) incorporation with water solube CdS Quantum dots nanoparticle to form a new composite material (NH2-GO/QDs). This composite mixture shows highly homogenous without precipitation and have been characterize by using Raman, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and the scan electron microscopy (SEM-EDX). Kinetic investigation based on DNA hybridization by cyclic voltammetry shows modified electrode able to achieve high hybridization rate can be used as electrochemical biosensor platform

Mediating Cognitive Transformation with VR 3D Sketching during Conceptual Architectural Design Process

Communications for information synchronization during the conceptual design phase require designers to employ more intuitive digital design tools. This paper presents findings of a feasibility study for using VR 3D sketching interface in order to replace current non-intuitive CAD tools. We used a sequential mixed method research methodology including a qualitative case study and a cognitive-based quantitative protocol analysis experiment. Foremost, the case study research was conducted in order to understand how novice designers make intuitive decisions. The case study documented the failure of conventional sketching methods in articulating complicated design ideas and shortcomings of current CAD tools in intuitive ideation. The case study’s findings then became the theoretical foundations for testing the feasibility of using VR 3D sketching interface during design. The latter phase of study evaluated the designers’ spatial cognition and collaboration at six different levels: “physical-actions”, “perceptualac ons”, “functional-actions”, “conceptual-actions”, “cognitive synchronizations”, and “gestures”. The results and confirmed hypotheses showed that the utilized tangible 3D sketching interface improved novice designers’ cognitive and collaborative design activities. In summary this paper presents the influences of current external representation tools on designers’ cognition and collaboration as well as providing the necessary theoretical foundations for implementing VR 3D sketching interface. It contributes towards transforming conceptual architectural design phase from analogue to digital by proposing a new VR design interface. The paper proposes this transformation to fill in the existing gap between analogue conceptual architectural design process and remaining digital engineering parts of building design process hence expediting digital design process

Sensitive detection of multiple pathogens using a single DNA probe

A simple but promising electrochemical DNA nanosensor was designed, constructed and applied to differentiate a few food-borne pathogens. The DNA probe was initially designed to have a complementary region in Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP) genome and to make different hybridization patterns with other selected pathogens. The sensor was based on a screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with polylactide-stabilized gold nanoparticles (PLA-AuNPs) and methylene blue (MB) was employed as the redox indicator binding better to single-stranded DNA. The immobilization and hybridization events were assessed using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The fabricated biosensor was able to specifically distinguish complementary, non-complementary and mismatched oligonucleotides. DNA was measured in the range of 2.0×10−9–2.0×10−13 M with a detection limit of 5.3×10−12 M. The relative standard deviation for 6 replications of DPV measurement of 0.2 µM complementary DNA was 4.88%. The fabricated DNA biosensor was considered stable and portable as indicated by a recovery of more than 80% after a storage period of 6 months at 4–45 °C. Cross-reactivity studies against various food-borne pathogens showed a reliably sensitive detection of VP

Development of Ecotourism Products in Kilim Geopark Based On Tourist Perceptions

Tourism development in Kilim Geopark had a significant impact on the growth of local businesses and has indirectly increased the living standards of the local community. The sustainability of tourism products is crucial to increase the number of tourists in the future and to retain the status of the Geopark. This paper aims to identify the level of tourist satisfaction with the tourism products offered at Kilim Geopark in terms of natural attraction, services, facilities, and product prices. Moreover, this paper discusses the extent of eco-tourism product development in the Kilim Geopark and how to maintain the current level of tourist satisfaction. Based on 341 completed questionnaires, this study reveals that the majority of tourists are interested in new ecotourism products offered at Kilim Geopark. However, significant differences between the levels of satisfaction arise concerning tourism products. Non-Malaysian tourists are perceived to be more satisfied compared to Malaysian tourists based on certain products and selected services. As an emerging tourist attraction, several measures should be considered to improve the competitiveness while maintaining the future development of ecotourism products in Kilim Geopark

Pemantauan dan penguatkuasaan halal terhadap produk makanan import oleh Jakim / Mohd Zaid Daud … [et al.]

Industri produk makanan halal di Malaysia secara global telah menunjukkan kadar peningkatan yang ketara. Pasaran produk makanan halal bukan sahaja menarik minat kepada negara yang majoritinya adalah Muslim, bahkan negara yang majoriti bukan-Muslim turut berminat terhadap pasaran produk makanan halal. Dalam hal ini, ia melibatkan proses import dan eksport antara negara secara global. Prospek pasaran makanan halal ini dilihat mampu untuk meningkatkan pendapatan negara dan secara tidak langsung menambah pendapatan pengimport / pengeksport yang merupakan Muslim dan bukan-Muslim. Kemasukan produk import ke dalam negara ini telah memberi kesan kepada pengurusan pemantauan dan penguatkuasaan bagi menjamin status kehalalan produk makanan yang diimport. Oleh itu, pendekatan pengurusan sesebuah organisasi haruslah sentiasa holistik dan komprehensif kerana ia memerlukan tanggungjawab yang berterusan bagi menjamin status kehalalan produk import yang dipasarkan. Walau bagaimanapun, kesan daripada pengimportan makanan halal ke dalam negara telah membawa kepada beberapa isu utama iaitu pemalsuan dan penyalahgunaan sijil dan logo halal, serta ketidakpatuhan produk makanan import yang mengandungi bahan yang tidak halal. Oleh yang demikian, pemantauan dan penguatkuasaan yang berkesan perlu dilaksanakan untuk menangani permasalahan ini. Maka, kajian ini adalah untuk melihat pengurusan pemantauan dan penguatkuasaan yang dijalankan oleh Jakim terhadap produk makanan import yang dipasarkan di Malaysia

Dari halaman rumah ke hadapan layar: Pola bermain dan fungsinya kepada perkembangan kanak-kanak

Children are the asset of a family. They are also considered as an important asset to a country because they are considered as future leaders. Thus, children should not only be intelligent but also possess particular skills. One of the ways to develop the particular skills is through play activities. Unfortunately, recently, group play patterns in the lawn, in particular has changed to individual play which takes place in front of the televisyen screen or computer within the household or in separate rooms. This practice definitely has left an important influence to the children’s development. This study was carried out in 2007. Therefore, this article discusses the issues relating to the patterns and functions of play from the past until recently on children’s development. The issue raised in this paper is to discuss on the existing causes of changes. What are the implications on the existing changes towards the development and well being of children? How can the changes be handled? What is the function of the family, community and country in dealing with the related issue? This article is based on secondary data from library research were analyzed inductively. Findings indicated that generally, play is crucial for children’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. Conversely, the change in the play pattern which specifically involves video and computer screens gives a different implication. Positive and negative implications depended on the type of software used. Screen play in the form of aggression is related to negative behavior, whereas educational play is related to positive implication. Consequently, the role of adults is to monitor children’s play activitie

A serological study of brucellosis in camels south of Kirkuk, Iraq

A study of the prevalence of antibodies to camel brucellosis has been carried out in the south of Kirkuk city during March 2011. A total of 66 camels (6 male, 60 female) involved in this study with age between 6 months to 22 years. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein and the sera samples were screened by using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT). The sera that were positive by using RBPT have been tested again by using the 2-Mercaptoethanol (2ME) test. The results of this study revealed that two camels from 66 camels (3.03%) were seropositive for brucella antibodies in South of Kirkuk city