The Efficiency and Performance Evaluation of Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) in Malaysia using Data Envelopment Analysis

Efficiency is a vital criterion in global competitive business and sustainable growth. Efficiency has always been reflected in company’s performance based on the existing input or resources available against the optimum output generated. A highly strong organizations capability will attract higher revenue and more investors to the company. The purpose of this study is to evaluate, compare and rank the overall efficiency based on annual report of companies in Malaysia stock market by using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The analysis is carried out on 15 government-linked companies (GLCs) where cross-sectional data between periods of 2013 to 2017 were evaluated. Three efficiency input were considered including return on assets, return on equity and tobin’s q where the outcome or outputs were profitability. The results indicate the significance to the investors as the overall efficiency of the companies is ranked according to several years of reports using the DEA model. The implication of this research would benefit the organizations to perform better

Tensile Properties of Luffa Acutangula Reinforced Polymer Composite

In recent years, there has been a growing trend in the popularity of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPC). Numerous researchers have put forward various alternatives to synthetic fibers. Luffa is one of the many natural fibers can be integrated into NFRPCs. Luffa with its unique interconnecting branch (mat/mesh) is suitable for NFRPCs. In this study, luffa reinforced high-density polyethylene (Luffa/HDPE) composite was fabricated using compression molding machine. In the preparation of the fiber, Luffa were cylindrically cut-out and opened into sheets form. The fiber was then laminated with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film using compression molding method. The proposed fabricated composite consisting of a fiber volume fraction (FVF) of 7%, 14%, 21%, 27% and 30%. Tensile properties of the Luffa/HDPE composite were determined. SEM was used to study the interlamination and delamination of the composite. Tensile test shows that the increase of FVF enhanced the tensile strength of Luffa/HDPE composite. Tensile strength has gradually increased from 7 % to 21 % FVF. Though, tensile strength declines after 21% FVF

Tensile Properties of Luffa Acutangula Reinforced Polymer Composite

In recent years, there has been a growing trend in the popularity of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPC). Numerous researchers have put forward various alternatives to synthetic fibers. Luffa is one of the many natural fibers can be integrated into NFRPCs. Luffa with its unique interconnecting branch (mat/mesh) is suitable for NFRPCs. In this study, luffa reinforced high-density polyethylene (Luffa/HDPE) composite was fabricated using compression molding machine. In the preparation of the fiber, Luffa were cylindrically cut-out and opened into sheets form. The fiber was then laminated with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film using compression molding method. The proposed fabricated composite consisting of a fiber volume fraction (FVF) of 7%, 14%, 21%, 27% and 30%. Tensile properties of the Luffa/HDPE composite were determined. SEM was used to study the interlamination and delamination of the composite. Tensile test shows that the increase of FVF enhanced the tensile strength of Luffa/HDPE composite. Tensile strength has gradually increased from 7 % to 21 % FVF. Though, tensile strength declines after 21% FVF

Tensile Properties of Luffa Acutangula Reinforced Polymer Composite

In recent years, there has been a growing trend in the popularity of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRPC). Numerous researchers have put forward various alternatives to synthetic fibers. Luffa is one of the many natural fibers can be integrated into NFRPCs. Luffa with its unique interconnecting branch (mat/mesh) is suitable for NFRPCs. In this study, luffa reinforced high-density polyethylene (Luffa/HDPE) composite was fabricated using compression molding machine. In the preparation of the fiber, Luffa were cylindrically cut-out and opened into sheets form. The fiber was then laminated with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film using compression molding method. The proposed fabricated composite consisting of a fiber volume fraction (FVF) of 7%, 14%, 21%, 27% and 30%. Tensile properties of the Luffa/HDPE composite were determined. SEM was used to study the interlamination and delamination of the composite. Tensile test shows that the increase of FVF enhanced the tensile strength of Luffa/HDPE composite. Tensile strength has gradually increased from 7 % to 21 % FVF. Though, tensile strength declines after 21% FVF

Integrasi kaedah geospatial dan pemodelan hidrodinamik untuk mengkaji impakkenaikan aras laut terhadap kawasan pantai

Kawasan pesisir pantai merupakan kawasan yang sangat terdedah dan sensitif kepada pelbagai ancaman terutamanya hakisan dan limpahan yang boleh menyebabkan impak negatif kepada kesejahteraan hidup manusia, persekitaran dan ekosistem. Kawasan pesisir pantai di Batu Pahat, Johor sangat terdedah kepada masalah banjir akibat fenomena air pasang dan sebahagian kawasan pantai lain dikategorikan sebagai kawasan hakisan pantai kritikal. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengenal pasti impak kenaikan aras laut terhadap komuniti pesisir pantai di Batu Pahat. Dengan menggunakan perisian ArcGIS dan MIKE21, kawasan banjir yang berlaku terhadap penempatan komuniti di pesisir pantai Batu Pahat dapat dikenal pasti dan meramalkan impak masa hadapan. Melalui hasil kajian, kawasan pantai di Batu Pahat mengalami kejadian hakisan pantai yang aktif dan jumlah kadar kehilangan tanah di kawasan tersebut sebanyak 415.7 hektar berbanding dengan kadar pemendapan yang hanya mendapat kira-kira 68.52 hektar. Hasil peta-peta risiko inundasi bagi kenaikan aras laut menunjukkan anggaran seramai 50 hingga 1145 populasi daripada jumlah penduduk seramai 28420 orang akan menerima impak kesan dari kenaikan aras laut pada tahun 2013, 2020 dan 2040. Selain itu, daripada 33 batang jalan raya di kawasan kajian, hanya 1 kawasan akan menghadapi kesan kenaikan aras laut pada tahun 2020 dan 2040. Justeru itu, peta risiko inundasi yang disediakan bagi pantai Batu Pahat amatlah berguna untuk mencegah hakisan pantai dan mengurangkan bencana masa depan

Portable electrochemical biosensors based on microcontrollers for detection of viruses: a review

With the rise of zoonotic diseases in recent years, there is an urgent need for improved and more accessible screening and diagnostic methods to mitigate future outbreaks. The recent COVID-19 pandemic revealed an over-reliance on RT-PCR, a slow, costly and lab-based method for diagnostics. To better manage the pandemic, a high-throughput, rapid point-of-care device is needed for early detection and isolation of patients. Electrochemical biosensors offer a promising solution, as they can be used to perform on-site tests without the need for centralized labs, producing high-throughput and accurate measurements compared to rapid test kits. In this work, we detail important considerations for the use of electrochemical biosensors for the detection of respiratory viruses. Methods of enhancing signal outputs via amplification of the analyte, biorecognition of elements and modification of the transducer are also explained. The use of portable potentiostats and microfluidics chambers that create a miniature lab are also discussed in detail as an alternative to centralized laboratory settings. The state-of-the-art usage of portable potentiostats for detection of viruses is also elaborated and categorized according to detection technique: amperometry, voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In terms of integration with microfluidics, RT-LAMP is identified as the preferred method for DNA amplification virus detection. RT-LAMP methods have shorter turnaround times compared to RT-PCR and do not require thermal cycling. Current applications of RT-LAMP for virus detection are also elaborated upon

Integration of Geospatial Method and Hydrodynamic Modelling to Study the Impact of Sea Level Rise on the Coastal Area

Coastal areas are highly vulnerable and sensitive to various threat; especially erosion and floods that can have a negative impact on the wellbeing of humans, the environment and ecosystems. Coastal areas in Batu Pahat, Johor are particularly vulnerable to flooding due to the phenomenon of tides, and some of these areas have been categorized as critical coastal erosion areas. The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of a sea level rise on the coastal community in Batu Pahat. Through the use of ArcGIS and MIKE21 software, the occurrence of floods in community settlements on the coast of Batu Pahat can be identified and predicted as to their future impact. Through this study, it was learned that the coastal areas in Batu Pahat have experienced active erosion, and the total land loss in the area has been 415.7 hectares compared to a sedimentation of only 68.52 hectares. The results of the inundation risk maps for sea levels show that an estimated population of 50 to 1,145 persons out of a total population of 28,420 will experience the impact of the predicted rise in sea levels in 2013, 2020 and 2040. Besides that, out of 33 roads in the study area, only one area will be affected by the sea level rise in 2020 and 2040, respectively. Therefore, the inundation risk map prepared for the Batu Pahat coast is mainly useful for preventing the erosion of the shoreline and for future disaster mitigation

Sensor modelling for portable electrical capacitance tomography system using simulation by COMSOL multiphysics

This work presents the development process for modeling a 16-segmented portable ECT (Electrical Capacitance Tomography) sensor (using FEM software package COMSOL Multiphysics). The physical sensors are 3D dimensional but it has been common to model the slice or the cross-section in 2D. This project shows the modeling approach for 2D and 3D geometries, the linear Finite Element method (FEM) using COMSOL Multiphysics is developed in order to obtain the capacitance between electrodes when an electric field is applied and to obtain the permittivity distribution inside the closed pipe from the sensor. Generated phantoms and measured values are presented for empty and annular pattern. The sensor model will be used to simulate a real sensor. Simulation is verified using phantoms with different sizes and at different locations inside the 16 electrode sensor space. Simulation and initial experimental results illustrate the capability of the system presented. Result due to increasing the size of permittivity of the dielectric material and their effect on the reconstructed image in Electrical Capacitance Tomography system are also discussed. The ECT model is representative by existing hardware, portable ECT, PROTOM Research Group UTM, Malaysia

Smart Automatic Cooling System with Reduced Humidity Effect for Pet House During COVID-19 Crisis

COVID-19 is a pandemic crisis that affects not only human lifestyle but also pet. The crisis halts pets’ social activities and they need to stay at home. Some owners prefer to keep their pets in separate pet enclosure/house due to health issue. The pet enclosure should be comfortable as the pets need to stay inside for quite a long time. Besides that, living in middle of the city in Malaysia makes it difficult for people to get a good level of humidity for pets. Thus, this research aims to design and develop an automatic cooling system with reduced humidity effect that can give comfort to the pets for staying many hours inside the pet house. The system relies on Internet of Things (IoT), where the data analysis of the temperature and humidity of pet houses can be done by the users. Particularly, thermoelectric peltier for cooling system, Arduino Uno and NodeMCU ESP8266 Wi-Fi Module are used here. The proposed solution helps to ensure the desired comfort of a pet house, where pet owners can easily and efficiently monitor the temperature and humidity. The system is simple, but it still can help maintaining the health and wellbeing of the pets by reducing the surrounding temperature to 290C and humidity to 70%