Pencirian sifat kimia bahan tanah pada cerun gagal di sepanjang jalan Ranau-Tambunan, Sabah, Malaysia

Kawasan kajian yang terletak di kawasan pergunungan pantai barat Sabah sering dikaitkan dengan kejadian tanah runtuh dan kegagalan cerun. Secara geologi, kawasan di sepanjang jalan raya Ranau-Tambunan (RTM) terdiri daripada cerun potongan batuan sedimen arenit daripada Formasi Crocker dan metasedimen argilit daripada Formasi Trusmadi yang telah terluluhawa serta beberapa bahagian yang terdiri daripada endapan Aluvium Kuartener. Pencirian sifat kimia ke atas bahan cerun tanah yang gagal di kawasan tropika, terutama sekali di kawasan kajian jarang dilakukan. Pencirian ini adalah penting kerana bukan ciri fizikal bahan cerun sahaja yang mempengaruhi kejadian tanah runtuh. Oleh itu, kajian ini memberi perhatian utama kepada pencirian sifat kimia dan mineralogi lempung telah dilakukan ke atas cerun-cerun yang gagal di kawasan kajian. Bagi mencapai objektif kajian ini, sebanyak 12 sampel tanah cerun gagal yang terdiri daripada luluhawa gred VI diuji. Analisis inventori cerun gagal menunjukkan terdapat 10 kegagalan cerun tanah (T) dan 8 kegagalan jenis khas (TB) dengan 3 kegagalan cerun dikelaskan berisi padu besar (> 500 m3), 7 cerun berisi padu sederhana (50 - 500 m3) dan 2 kegagalan cerun berisi padu kecil (10 – 50 m3). Analisis kimia menunjukkan kandungan organik tanah (BOT) yang rendah hingga sederhana daripada 3.75%-7.23%, pH tanah dikelaskan sebagai berasid amat tinggi hingga beralkali rendah. Analisis XRD menunjukkan komposisi mineral lempung utama terdiri daripada kaolinit dan ilit dan beberapa mineral lain seperti montmorilonit, haloisit, dickit dan vermikulit. Komposisi mineral bukan lempung utama terdiri daripada kuarza dan muskovit. Hasil kajian menunjukkan wujud perkaitan signifikan antara sifat kimia dan mineralogi tanah daripada segi pertukaran unsur kimia, hubungan air liang dan kekuatan ikatan butiran tanah dalam pembentukan mineral lempung yang menggalakkan berlakunya kegagalan cerun. Oleh itu, pembinaan dan pengurusan kerja-kerja potongan cerun bukan sahaja mengambil kira aspek sifat fizikal dan kejuruteraan tanah malah sifat kimia tanah juga amat penting terutamanya yang melibatkan batuan yang terluluhawa supaya sebarang kegagalan yang melibatkan cerun potongan dapat ditangani sewajarnya

Differential transformation method for solving sixth-order boundary value problems of ordinary differential equations

In this study, sixth-order boundary value problems for linear and nonlinear differential equations have been solved by using Differential Transformation Method (DTM). The numerical solutions are given in several examples. For each example, the solution given by DTM is compared with the exact solution. Absolute relative error (ARE) for each iteration can be computed. Therefore, the maximum absolute relative error (MARE) of the DTM can be obtained. To show that the solution given by the DTM has higher level of accuracy, the absolute relative error of the DTM has been compared with the other methods such as Adomian decomposition method with Green’s function, modified decomposition method (MDM), homotopy perturbation method (HPM), Variational Iteration Method (VIM) and Quintic B-Spline Collocation Method. Comparison graphs are given at the end of this paper. The obtained result shows that the proposed method is able to provide better approximation in term of accuracy

Green envelope as an architectural strategy for energy efficiency in a library building

In the context of Malaysian tropical climate, green envelope functions to provide satisfying indoor environment and achieve the best performance with minimal energy consumption. Buildings that rely on air-conditioning to improve thermal comfort could benefit from green envelope potentials. Hence, the objective of this paper is to explore the impacts of various types of green envelope towards reducing the energy consumption of a two-storey library building. The methodology approach is quantitative and data are collected through building simulation using Revit Building Information Modelling (BIM). Parameters studied are building orientation, wall insulation, envelope materials, and façade treatment. Results showed that different types of green envelope posed different impact on energy consumption of the library and double glazed windows contribute the most significant reduction of energy consumption. The study establishes the contribution of green envelope and advocates the use of building simulation as research methodology, as it helps to improve envelope design, and to predict the possible outcomes of design alternatives

Phytochemicals and acute oral toxicity studies of the aqueous extract of Vernonia amygdalina from state of Malaysia

Vernonia amygdalina (VA) is a member of Asteracea family that use as traditional folk medicine in treating various infection and diseases. This study aim to determine the phytochemical characterization of Malaysian local VA and determine the acute oral toxicity. Phytochemical investigation was done by standard procedures. The crude extract of VA was observed to contained flavonoids, terpenoids, saponin and tannin. FTIR spectroscopy was done against VA aqueous extract revealed a presence of high content of flavonoids and terpenoids, phenols, methoxy compounds, ester carbonyl and amide. Sighting study for acute toxicity was conducted as per Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 425 guidelines which divided into sighting study and main study. One female Sprague Dawley rat was given single oral dose of VA aqueous extract at progressively dose of 175, 550, 2000 and 5000 mg/kg of body weight (BW), dissolved in 1ml distilled water and observed daily for 14 days. VA aqueous extract of 5000 mg/kg was used in main study as it exhibited no toxicity signs and mortality. All the treated rats survived and no toxicity signs were observed. No differences in body weights and organs weights. Liver function tests showed the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and globulin slightly increased but the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), albumin, total protein and total bilirubin were in normal range. Despite that, no elevation in the level of Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Therefore, it can be concluded that the toxicity of VA is greater than 5000mg/kg BW as proved by AOT425 Statistical Programme

In vivo antidiabetic efficacy of Malaysian Vernonia amygdalina aqueous extract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major world health concern especially DM types 2. In Malaysia, about 2.6 million adults were diagnosed with diabetes and most of them turn to herbal medicine for treatment. Vernonia amygdalina or locally known as bitter leaf is believed by the local people and traditional inhaler to reduce blood glucose level. This study aims to prove the antidiabetic property of Malaysian local V. amygdalina as claim by the local Malaysian. V. amygdalina aqueous extract was prepared by reflux method and was further concentrated. Twenty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups; non-diabetic rats as normal control (NC), diabetic induced rats as diabetic control (DC), diabetic induced rats treated with 150 mg/kg metformin and diabetic induced rats treated with 50 mg/kg V. amygdalina aqueous extract. The diabetic rats were induced by using 40 mg/kg of Streptozotocin (STZ). The study was conducted for 28 days. Body weights (BW) were taken at weekly interval for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose was measured in 3 day intervals. At the end of experiment, blood samples were collected for lipid profile test and insulin secretion assay. There were no significant differences in BW, relative organ weight (ROW) and no organs abnormalities were observed in all experimental groups. Significant decreases in triglycerides, total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose gave a prove evidence that V. amygdalina possessing antidiabetic property. However, the levels of insulin in diabetic induced rats treated with V. amygdalina aqueous extract were not significant as compared to the diabetic induced rats treated with metformin. The aqueous extract of V. amygdalina has antidiabetic activity. This work supports the folk use of this plant in treating diabetes. This antidiabetic property of Malaysian V. amygdalina may due to its phytochemical constituents as our previous study revealed the high contents of flavonoids and terpenoids. However, the aqueous extract of V. amygdalina did not act through regulation of insulin hormone since there was no significant change in insulin level

Undergraduate students acceptance of library online database system to support studies and research

This paper reports on the user acceptance test (UAT) result that examine participants’ acceptance of a library online database system that has been developed to support the process of studies and research among under graduate students. The objectives of the user acceptance test are to ensure the new system does what it set out to do and meets the requirements the business has of it. In order to test the system that is expected to cooperate with user demands and expectations, certain variables have been taken into consideration. The variables were taken from the requirements collected from a survey that has been collected earlier. The variables were then categorized into four categories mainly People, System Usability, System Features and User Satisfaction. A single case study has been employed in this evaluation which included undergraduate students from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) as participants. These participants are directly involved in the usage of an online database system in IIUM. The user evaluation is carried out in two phases. The first phase involves a task-based approach where participants are given several tasks to perform while using the system. The second phase is a questionnaire to elicit the participants' feedback on the perceived usefulness of the system after they have completed the tasks given. The user acceptance test of the Library Online Database System (LODS) in serving the undergraduate students has been reflected by the positive feedback from the 15 participants. The findings signify a positive reaction from participants towards the system. The system, in general, has been perceived as useful to support studies and research works among undergraduate students electronically

Differential Transformation Method for Solving Sixth-Order Boundary Value Problems of Ordinary Differential Equations

In this study, sixth-order boundary value problems for linear and nonlinear differential equations have been solved by using Differential Transformation Method (DTM). The numerical solutions are given in several examples. For each example, the solution given by DTM is compared with the exact solution. Absolute relative error (ARE) for each iteration can be computed. Therefore, the maximum absolute relative error (MARE) of the DTM can be obtained. To show that the solution given by the DTM has higher level of accuracy, the absolute relative error of the DTM has been compared with the other methods such as Adomian decomposition method with Green’s function, modified decomposition method (MDM), homotopy perturbation method (HPM), Variational Iteration Method (VIM) and Quintic B-Spline Collocation Method. Comparison graphs are given at the end of this paper. The obtained result shows that the proposed method is able to provide better approximation in term of accuracy

Comparison of fat composition and chemical properties of fat extracts between fish fillets of selected warm-water and cold-water fish

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare fat composition and chemical properties of fish fillets of selected warm-water fish obtained from Straits of Malacca. A cold water fish, namely salmon was used for comparison. Moisture content, crude fat, fatty acids composition and chemical characteristics of fish fillets of Yellowstripe scad, Japanese threadfin bream and salmon were determined. Japanese threadfin bream fillet had highest moisture and crude fat contents, followed by fillets of Yellowstripe scad and salmon. A significantly strong and negative correlation was found between moisture and crude fat contents of these fish fillets. Fillets of Japanese threadfin bream and Yellowstripe scad also had higher total saturated fatty acids than total unsaturated fatty acids. Although salmon fillet had lowest percentage of saturated fatty acids, it had highest monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) compared with the two warm-water fish. Palmitic acid and oleic acid were the major fatty acids in the fish fillets. Chemical properties of the oils extracted from the warm-water fish fillets were varied compared to salmon. The selected warm-water fish fillets offer favorable fatty acids composition and chemical properties, which can potentially be used as good sources of PUFA