Uncovering the Relation Between Environmental Damage and the Rate of Rainfall Received Through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Study on Potable Water Production in Malaysia

The world climate change is a phenomenon that is widely discussed in recent times. It causes a huge impact to the population of the world. Global warming causes the world's rainfall pattern to change including Malaysia. Today wet and dry season is very hard to be accurately predicted. Rainy season is getting more frequent and causing destruction to properties and halting economic growth of a nation. Evidence shows that climate change and global warming is caused by human's own lifestyle and activities. Man's savage way is the main caused for global climate change. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool that could be used to assess a product or service from cradle-to-grave. This tool is capable of proving that every human invention has weaknesses and is threatening human life. In water treatment process, chemicals and electricity is needed. A sudden increase in water level in river caused by heavy rain resulted in higher usage of chemicals to treat water. Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) which uses ecoindicator 99 evaluation method to assess the chemicals and electricity, shows that the production of Polyaluminium chloride (PAC) causes damage to human health (respiratory inorganic) while electricity generation is fast depleting the natural resource of fossil fuel such as natural gas. These situation show that the irregular rate of rainfall resulted from the world's climate change not only affect human (eg. Inorganic respitory) but also indirectly causing destruction to the environment (depletion of natural gas) during the treatment of water. To overcome this problem the use of PAC as coagulant can be substituted with Alum. From the impact analysis, it is found that by replacing PAC with Alum, damage is reduced to more than 90% in damage to human health and ecosystem quality. This the same if electricity generation using natural gas is replaced with the combination of natural gas and renewable energy technologies such as solar panels and hydroelectric. Impact analysis also shows that there is 50% reduction in damage to resources when 50% natural gas and 50% renewable energy (solar panel and hydroelectric) without affecting human health and the environment

Physical and electrochemical properties of ZnO films fabricated from highly cathodic electrodeposition potentials

The physical and electrochemical properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) film electrode that were prepared electrochemically were studied. ZnO was electrodeposited on ITO glass substrate by applying three different highly cathodic potentials (−1.3 V, −1.5 V, −1.7 V) in a solution containing 70 mM of Zn(NO3)2.xH2O and 0.1 M KCl with bath temperatures of 70 °C and 80 °C. The presence of ZnO was asserted from XRD analysis where the corresponding peaks in the spectra were assigned. SEM images revealed the plate-like hexagonal morphology of ZnO which is in agreement with the XRD analysis. The areal capacitance of the ZnO was observed to increase when the applied electrodeposition potential is increased from −1.3 V to −1.5 V. However, the areal capacitance is found to decrease when the applied electrodeposition potential is further increased to −1.7 V. The resistance of charge transfer (Rct) of the ZnO decreased when the applied electrodeposition potential varies from −1.3 V to −1.7 V due to the decreased particle size of ZnO when more cathodic electrodeposition potential is applied

Low power pipelined FFT processor architecture on FPGA

Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) processor is the hardware implementation for FFT algorithms for Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) which compute any signal in time domain to frequency domain. This processor plays an important role in many applications such as digital video broadcasting, wireless sensor network and many more digital signal processing applications, which requires a small area and low power processor. Pipelined FFT processor design on FPGA will speed up the design process and flexibility. This paper provides a survey of three types of pipelined FFT architecture, radix-8, radix-4 single path feedback (R4SDF) and radix-4 single-pasth delay commutator implemented on FPGA. The simulation part is done via Modelsim and verification through Matlab. While the implementation is done via Quartus on the Altera Cyclone IV FPGA board. The performance of these FFT processor is studied. The result shows that radix-8 pipelined FFT have higher power dissipation compared to R4SDF and R4SDC, however R4SDC design has low area design compared to the rest. Overall, all pipelined FFT processor designs are functioning accordingly

Effect of electropolymerization potential on the properties of PEDOT/ZnO thin film composites

The physical, chemical and electrochemical properties of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) /zinc oxide (PEDOT/ZnO) thin film electrode that were prepared electrochemically were studied. PEDOT was potentiostatically deposited on the hexagonal flake-like ZnO-covered ITO glass substrate by applying three different potentials (1.0 V, 1.25 V and 1.5 V) where under these circumstances, the effect of varying electropolymerization potentials where studied. The optical bandgap of each of the PEDOT/ZnO composites prepared were noticed to be within the range of 3.40 eV to 3.45 eV which were in between the optical band gap values of sole PEDOT and ZnO. The presence of both materials was asserted from XRD, FTIR and Raman analysis where all of the corresponding peaks for each of the materials in the spectra were assigned. SEM revealed the flake-like hexagonal morphology of ZnO which is in agreement with the XRD analysis. While the PEDOT morphology was discerned with round-shaped granular morphology where the average grain size was decreased with the electropolymerization potentials. The resistance of charge transfer of PEDOT/ZnO thin film was directly proportional to the electropolymerization potential while on the specific capacitance was inversely proportional. The composite exhibit both PEDOT and ZnO unique properties that can be used as a multi-functional material in various potential applications

Relationship between personality traits, attachment styles and life satisfaction among adolescents

Adolescence is an important developmental stage for every individual as it is a transition period from childhood to adulthood. Hence, many variables contribute to the feelings of life satisfaction among adolescents. It is therefore prudent to investigate what adolescents deem as important in influencing their life satisfaction. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between personality traits, attachment styles with adolescents’ life satisfaction. A total of 315 respondents aged between 18 to 21 years old participated in this study. Three standardized instruments were used and they are: the NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) to measure personality, the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Results showed that there were significant relationships between personality traits of extraversion, openness and conscientiousness with life satisfaction. The findings also indicated significant correlations between attachment styles of confidence and relationship with life satisfaction. In addition, results showed that there were significant relationships between most of the personality traits with attachment styles. In conclusion, adolescents who were satisfied with their lives were those who have personality traits of extraversion, openness and conscientiousness and secure attachment style. These findings give important insights in understanding the well-being of adolescents

INVESTIGATING THE NATIONAL DIGITAL CADASTRAL DATABASE (NDCDB) DATA HANDLING WITHIN GIS APPLICATIONS

This paper explains the investigation carried out to understand NDCDB data handling within GIS applications. The method used was a case study replicated to five established GIS applications from different agencies, namely eKadasOnline, SKiP, iPlan, TM SmartMap and DBKL Interactive Portal. The case study was propositioned to the statements of; i) “Such methods of applying NDCDB are because user understands its characteristics”, and ii) “such methods of applying NDCDB are because users know how to adopt it.” Cross-case comparison analysis was then conducted to identify rival findings and explanation building. Based on the evidence of the multi-case study, it was concluded that such methods of adopting NDCDB by the GIS applications administrators and developers were because most of them have a partial understanding of the NDCDB characteristics which led to NDCDB being adopted based on the method that they think were suitable. Recommendations are highlighted in this paper to rectify knowledge-based mistakes found in this study, that included; i) ensuring the NDCDB’s cut-off-date; ii) utilises all existing NDCDB layers; iii) ensure to use the map projection parameters are the authorised and official value; iv) understand that the NDCDB utilises the GDM2000 datum with ITRF2000 epoch 2006; v) False Easting and North Easting can be discarded for geocentric datum; vi) adopting the built-in Geocentric Cassini map projection of GIS software is not advisable; and vii) obtaining relevant additional NDCDB layers. With the recommendations emplace, it is hoped the full potential of NDCDB can be tapped especially for multipurpose cadastre implementation including to ease spatial analysis. Data replication, exhaustion of resources, and reduce risks or costly investments made by decision makers, policy makers, developers or individuals can be avoided when NDCDB is fully optimised for spatial analysis

Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) Using TRACI Methodology: an Analysis of Potential Impact on Potable Water Production

Abstract: Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a method to analyse a particular product or service. It begins with the process of extraction until the product is exhausted by 'cradle-to-grave' analysis. The LCA includes establishment of an inventory, that is all types of emissions and also waste products. After that, this inventory would be translated or transformed to show the impact on environment in the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). Two LCIA methods has been accepted such as Midpoint and Endpoint approach. TRACI is one method that uses Midpoint approach. From the analysis on the two stages of potable water production, that is between construction stage and production stage, production stage contributes a higher impact in comparison to the construction stage. At the production stage, the weakness was due to the usage of PAC, lime and electricity. However, at the construction stage, the process of producing steel seems to be the main source of impact such as HH cancer and HH noncancer. The process of producing PAC liberates Nitrogen oxides and Sulfur oxides which contributes to five types of impacts such as acidification, HH criteria air -point, HH criteria airmobile, euthrophication and smog. In lime production, four impacts are HH cancer ground -surface, HH cancer root -zone, HH noncancer ground -surface and HH noncancer root -zone) results from the emissions during the waste treatment (drilling waste to land farming) such as Arsenic and Aluminum. Whereas in the production of electricity, four very high impacts give rise to global warming, HH cancer, HH noncancer dan ecotoxicity. Even though the impact from construction stage is very low in comparison to the production stage, a few problems have been detected during the process of producing building materials. Among those materials, the production of steel produces the highest impact to the environment

Diving accidents treated at a military hospital-based recompression chamber facility in Peninsular Malaysia.

This paper describes the pattern of diving accidents treated in a military hospital-based recompression chamber facility in Peninsular Malaysia. A retrospective study was carried out to utilize secondary data from the respective hospital medical records from 1st January 1996 to 31st December 2004. A total of 179 cases categorized as diving accidents received treatment with an average of 20 cases per year. Out of 179 cases, 96.3% (n=173) received recompression treatment. Majority were males (93.3%), civilians (87.2%) and non-Malaysian citizens (59.2%). Commercial diving activities contributed the highest percentage of diving accidents (48.0%), followed by recreational (39.2%) and military (12.8%). Diving accidents due to commercial diving (n=86) were mainly contributed by underwater logging activities (87.2%). The most common cases sustained were decompression illness (DCI) (96.1%). Underwater logging and recreational diving activities which contribute to a significant number of diving accidents must be closely monitored. Notification, centralised data registration, medical surveillance as well as legislations related to diving activities in Malaysia are essential to ensure adequate monitoring of diving accidents in the future

Synergistic effect of probe sonication and ionic liquid for extraction of phenolic acids from oak galls

Phenolic acids of oak gall were extracted using ultrasonic-probe assisted extraction (UPAE) method in the presence of ionic liquid. It was compared with classical ultrasonic-bath assisted extraction (CUBAE) and conventional aqueous extraction (CAE) method, with and without the presence of ionic liquid. Remarkably, the UPAE method yielded two-fold higher extraction yield with the presence of ionic liquid, resulting 481.04 mg/g for gallic acids (GA) and 2287.90 mg/g for tannic acids (TA), while a decreased value of 130.36 mg/g for GA and 1556.26 mg/g for TA were resulted with the absence of ionic liquid. Intensification process resulted the highest yield of 497.34 mg/g and 2430.48 mg/g for GA and TA, respectively, extracted at temperature 50 °C with sonication intensity of 8.66 W/cm2 and 10% duty cycle, diluted in ionic liquid, 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [Bmim][Tf2N] at concentration of 0.10 M with sample-to-solvent ratio 1:10 for 8 h. Peleg’s model successfully predicted the UPAE process confirming that extraction capacity is the controlling factor in extracting phenolic acids. Hence, it can be concluded that UPAE method and ionic liquid have synergistic effect as it effectively enhanced the extraction efficiency to increase the bioactive constituents yield

Ibn Fadlan’s Role in the Islamisation of Bulghar society

Islam is the oldest established religion among Bulghar entity, the residents along the riverbanks of the Volga-Kama triangle. This valley was famous as the first Islamic country erected in the Eastern European region. The presence of Islam in the region has raised the name of the ruler of Volga Bulgaria and was reinforced by relationship with Baghdad. The Islamisation of the Bulghar society is relevant to the role played by Ahmad ibn Fadlan, the ambassador of the Abbasid government based in Baghdad. Therefore, this article aims to examine the role played by Ibn Fadlan in the Islamization of the Bulghar society. For this study, a qualitative method using historical descriptive approach was employed, which involved compilation and evaluation of the facts of the Risalah Ibn Fadlān. Data for this study were obtained through library research. The data analyses were conducted through texts and document analyses, as well as comparison method. This study finds that Ibn Fadlan plays an important role in the islamisation of the Bulghar society, not just as an ambassador of Abbasid government but as a teacher, preacher and counselor to the Bulghar king and the whole nation