Fabrication and characterisation of graded index nanostructured TiO2 compact layers for dye-sensitized solar cell / Mohd Hanapiah Abdullah

A novel graded index nanostructured TiO2 compact layer (arc- TiO2) had been successfully deposited on Indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate by long-throw radiofrequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The main aims of the arc-TiO2 compact layer were to serve as an antireflective compact layer that could reduce reflection losses, improve the photo-response of dye molecules, and prevent electron recombination in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) application. The employment of the TiO2 compact layer in the DSSC was carefully optimised in term of RF power and thickness of the arc-TiO2 film. Meanwhile, the desired characteristics were systematically investigated by means of UV-absorption spectra, incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE), open-circuit voltage decay (OCVD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The average transmittance of the ITO/arc-TiO2 conducting substrate in the region from 400 nm to 1000 nm was approximately 85%. Corresponding average reflectance difference that was recorded in comparison to the bare ITO was 2.5 %. The red-shift behaviour of the transmittance peak was actually due to the formation of a new hybrid band energy structure of 3.1 eV resulting from the tin (Sn) diffusion in the ITO film that shifted the absorption edge of the substrate. This had favoured the absorption characteristics and photo-response of N719 dye

Digital image enhancement by brightness and contrast manipulation using Verilog hardware description language

A foggy environment may cause digitally captured images to appear blurry, dim, or low in contrast. This will impact computer vision systems that rely on image information. With the need for real-time image information, such as a plate number recognition system, a simple yet effective image enhancement algorithm using a hardware implementation is very much needed to fulfil the need. To improve images that suffer from low exposure and hazy, the hardware implementations are usually based on complex algorithms. Hence, the aim of this paper is to propose a less complex enhancement algorithm for hardware implementation that is able to improve the quality of such images. The proposed method simply combines brightness and contrast manipulation to enhance the image. In order to see the performance of the proposed method, a total of 100 vehicle registration number images were collected, enhanced, and evaluated. The evaluation results were compared to two other enhancement methods quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative evaluation is done by evaluating the output image using peak signal-to-noise ratio and mean-square error evaluation metrics, while a survey is done to evaluate the output image qualitatively. Based on the quantitative evaluation results, our proposed method outperforms the other two enhancement methods

Development and Implementation of a Smart Parking Spot Allocation System Based on the User’s Category and Priority using Verilog HDL

Finding parking spots for automobiles is a major issue in many large and congested cities. Usually, drivers lose time searching for parking spots, especially during peak hours, which increases traffic congestion and makes drivers frustrated and annoyed. Large building parking areas could also become dangerous to women, pregnant women, and the elderly, as several criminal cases in the parking area, were reported. In this project, a prototype of a smart parking spot allocation system based on the user’s category and priority was developed. The choice of user categories is people with disabilities (OKU), pregnant women/elderly, women, and normal users. The highest priority is assigned to OKU, followed by pregnant women/elderly, followed by women and the lowest priority is assigned to normal users. The parking spots for the highest priority category are placed near building entrances such as mall entrances. The controller for the automatic parking spot allocation system was developed using Verilog HDL code and the prototype was implemented on FPGA DE2-115. The controller is programmed to process the user’s category which is selected by the user at the second entrance and assign a specific parking spot number according to the category’s priority. The prototype was tested with multiple parking spots condition with different user inputs for different user categories. The system was able to allocate parking spots based on the user’s category depending on the parking spot available for the selected category with 75% out of 12 tests correct. However, all 12 tests, or 100% recorded accurate allocation based on the expected output of the system design. In a conclusion, this proposed system would be able to cater to the issue of finding parking spots hence directly avoiding traffic congestion and frustration among users. In addition, this system can indirectly reduce crime cases in the parking area due to parking spaces that prioritize categories of users needing to be parked near the entrance

Poor sleep quality among medical students in International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and its association with mental health and other factors

INTRODUCTION: Poor sleep quality is a common problem experienced by medical students worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to measure the prevalence of poor sleep quality among medical students in International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and its association with mental health and other factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted among 500 medical students in IIUM Kuantan. A validated self-reported questionnaire including sociodemographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Depression Anxiety Stress Score 21 was distributed from 15th July to 31st August 2019. Descriptive statistics were used to measure the prevalence of poor sleep quality. Chi- square test, Fisher’s exact test, independent sample T-test, and multiple logistic regression were used to measure the association between risk factors and sleep quality. RESULT: The response rate was 91.2%. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 59.6%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed level of study (clinical year (AOR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.29 - 0.66) and depression (yes (AOR: 1.71, 95% CI 1.03-2.83) contributed independently on poor sleep quality among medical students. There was no significant relationship between tahajjud practice and poor sleep quality. CONCLUSION: More than half of IIUM medical students have poor sleep quality. Those students who were in the pre-clinical year and had depression were independently associated with the occurrence of poor sleep quality. Early intervention is compulsory to overcome this problem among medical students in IIUM

Optimisation of silicone-based dielectric elastomer transducers by means of block copolymers – synthesis and compounding

Emerging artificial muscle technology has developed from metal-based robotics to softtype robotics made from soft matter. Research into artificial muscle technology based on soft matter has been conducted mainly in order to mimic soft and robust human muscle. In this regard, dielectric elastomers have been studied. Their actuation occurs when Maxwell stress exceeds elastic stress in the presence of an electrical field, resulting in contraction in thickness and planar expansion in the area. As well as an actuator, dielectric elastomers can be used as generators and sensors. As a dielectric elastomer, silicones have been used extensively in many applications, due to favourable properties such as thermal stability, non-conductivity, high gas permeability and low toxicity. However, silicones have a low dielectric constant and thereby low energy density. In order to enhance actuation performance, it is the aim of this research to develop silicone elastomers with a high dielectric constant and high electrical breakdown strength, as well as a low Young’s modulus. In this Ph.D. thesis, two methods were developed to enhance silicone properties such as the dielectric constant and electrical breakdown strength. The first method was devised to enhance the dielectric constant of silicone elastomers through the use of a polydimethylsiloxane-polyethyleneglycol (PDMS-PEG) copolymer, in order to obtain an elastomer with high electrical energy. PDMS-PEG copolymers were synthesised and blended in commercial silicone and subsequently cross-linked. The relative permittivity of cross-linked silicone with 5 wt% of PDMS-PEG copolymers increased by nearly 50%, without compromising dielectric loss and mechanical properties, compared to the commercial silicone elastomer. The second investigated method involved enhancing the electrical breakdown strength of silicone by using an aromatic voltage stabiliser. Here, polyphenylmethylsiloxane (PPMS), which contained aromatic voltage stabilisers, was bonded covalently to PDMS through a hydrosilylation reaction obtaining PDMS-PPMS copolymers. The synthesised copolymers were subsequently cross-linked with a vinyl cross-linker. The obtained cross-linked PDMS-PPMS copolymers were inherently soft and robust with increased electrical breakdown strength (21%) compared to the reference elastomer without an aromatic voltage stabiliser. The conducting polymer was developed through the use of a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) in a PDMS-PEG matrix as a compliant electrode of dielectric elastomers. The conductive PDMS-PEG copolymer was incorporated with surface-treated MWCNT, in order to obtain highly conductive elastomer. The prepared sample with 4 parts per hundred rubber (phr) MWCNT was soft and the resulting conductivity of the cross-linked PDMS-PEG copolymer with the addition of MWCNT was high, at 10-2 S cm-1, nearly equivalent to a commonly used commercial conducting polymer. In this thesis, the elastomer and electrode system is referred to as a ‘dielectrielastome

Practice of Tahajjud among Undergraduate Medical Students in International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and its relationship with poor sleep quality.

Tahajjud prayer is one of the highly-rated spiritual practices among Muslims. It is a prayer performs in the last third of the night after Isha’ prayer which requires a person to wake up from his/her sleep. Some may think that this practice may interfere with their sleep and may lead to poor sleep quality. Hence, it is very important to investigate and determine if there is any relationship between the practice of Tahajjud prayer and poor sleep quality. Furthermore, to date, there was no study done to assess this relationship ye

Public health and safety on close contact proximity detection for COVID-19 and alert via IoT

Social distancing among people is vital in minimizing spread of COVID-19 within community and can be effective in flattening the outbreak. This research work focuses on developing a close contact proximity detection system among smartphone users, particularly of COVID-19 patient, using Bluetooth signal to identify and analyze close contact proximity and social distancing from other anonymous smartphone user in their surrounding. The system aims to alert user if the social distancing is breached. The methodology rely on the Radio Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) signal to analyze and estimate the proximity distance and duration of the individual’s exposure to other peoples in surrounding area. An overlap zone of 1-meter is used to indicate detection of closed contact proximity between users. Furthermore, the collected data can be utilized for contact tracing that enabling health officials to identify the closed contact of infected patient systematically and rapidly covering people who may be anonymous or not directly known to the COVID-19 patient. Encouraging results have been obtained for the closed contact proximity detection within the mobile apps. Furthermore, the performance of system for close contact proximity detection has shown that indoor locations have a more robust signal distribution compared to outdoor location

Practice of Tahajjud among Undergraduate Medical Students in International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and its Relationship with Poor Sleep Quality

Tahajjud prayer is one of the highly rated spiritual practises among Muslims. It is a prayer performs in the last third of the night after Isha’ prayer, which requires a person to wake up from his sleep. This practice may interfere with their sleep and leads to poor sleep quality. This study aimed to assess the association between Tahajjud practice and poor sleep quality among medical students at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 medical students in IIUM Kuantan using purposive and quota sampling. A validated self-reported questionnaire including Tahajjud practice and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were distributed from 17th May to 19th July 2019. Descriptive statistics were used to measure the practice of Tahajjud and the preva�lence of poor sleep quality. Logistic regression was used to measure the relationship between poor sleep quality and Tahajjud as well as other factors. The response rate was 91.2%. The median number of Tahajjud performed was 1 night per week. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 59.6%. Very interestingly, simple logistic regression anal�ysis revealed that those performing Tahajjud were 13% less likely to have poor sleep quality compared to those who did not perform it. However, multiple logistic regression failed to find any significant relationship between Tahajjud and poor sleep quality. It is crucial to highlight that Tahajjud prayer did not lead to poor sleep quality among medical students. Since it is a highly rated practice in Islam, they should be encouraged to perform it

Effects of modern instructional technology (MIT) on critical thinking skills of students in agriculture vocational courses in Nigeria

The recent development in modern instruction technology (MIT) methods and equipment warranted for studies to examine their effects on students, teachers, and the education system in general. This study examines the effects of MIT on students’ critical thinking skills in Agriculture vocational courses in Nigeria. The methods and equipment used were identified, and the effect of teachers’ usage behaviour was assessed. A survey approach was adopted, using questionnaires for data collection. The descriptive, correlations and multiple regressions were carried out using SPSS. The result of this study indicates that the most commonly used equipment is electronic whiteboard, while the least are electronic tablets and laptops. Cooperative learning is the most commonly used methods while games and online instruction are the least. There is a moderate positive correlation between MIT methods and the students’ critical thinking skill, but a very weak positive correlation between MIT equipment and students’ critical thinking skill. There is statistically significant contribution of methods to student’s critical thinking, but insignificant method usage behaviour. Therefore, it is concluded that government should incorporate the provision and effective utilisation of MIT equipment and methods in the national education policy. School managements should emphasise the use of MIT methods and review curriculum to improve teachers’ skills in MIT usage. Teachers should utilise the available MIT equipment and method along with their skills for an effective delivery of lessons. Similarly, the students should be encouraged to appreciate the available methods and the equipment, and use them effectively

Prevalence of depression and its associated factors among medical students in International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

INTRODUCTION: Globally, depression is one of the serious problems reported among medical students. Various studies reported that the prevalence of depression among medical students was high due to multiple risk factors. Therefore, this study aimed to measure the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among medical students in International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 medical students in IIUM Kuantan. A validated self-reported questionnaire using Depression Anxiety Stress Score 21 was distributed during the second semester of the 2018/2019 session. Descriptive statistics were used to measure the prevalence of depression. Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, independent sample T-test, and multiple logistic regression were used to determine the association between risk factors and depression. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression was 39% with 10.5% of them having severe and extremely severe levels of depression. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed regular physical activity (AOR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.42-0.98) and Tahajjud prayer practice (AOR: 0.76, 95% CI 0.66-0.88) are two protective factors against depression among medical students. CONCLUSION: : About every two out of five IIUM medical students had depression. Regular physical activity and Tahajjud prayer practiced may reduce the risk of depression and should be encourage