The influence of the general operating environment on the development and change toward the resilience of the foreign ethnic restaurants in Malaysia / Mohd Noor Azmin Akbarruddin

For majority of the developing country, receiving the economics boost in the form of foreign direct investment has been one of the proven and effective measure to directly enhance a country's economic condition. The spillover effect from the economic wellbeing will indirectly affect key performance area in the country such as the political stability, positive business environment and the standard of living. However, despite the positive outlook on the foreign direct investment, there are a lot of challenges faced by the foreign ethnic restaurants that venture into this country. The effect of problems and unexpected crisis faced by the foreign ethnic restaurants are stronger since they are operating in unfamiliar business environment. The differences that existed between the local and foreign food socio-culture has presented the foreign ethnic restaurants with issue in attracting the potential customers. Eventually, those issues and unexpected crisis were detrimental to foreign ethnic restaurants operation in the country especially in term of its resilience. The present study, thus empirically measures the influence of the general operating environment attributes, namely technological factors, economic factors and political-regulatory in tandem with food socio-culture, organization development and change influence toward the foreign ethnic restaurants' resilience. Those attributes (technological factors, economic factors and political-regulatory factors) are anticipated toward certain degree to influence the foreign ethnic restaurant business operation resilience. Additionally, organization development and change as well as food socio-culture are also presumed to respectively display mediating and moderating effect in the study. The research is designed through a mixed methodology involving a self-administered survey and an in-depth interview with foreign ethnic restaurant owners namely Middle Eastern, Japanese, Korean and Western/European. Data collection is undertaken in five states in Peninsular Malaysia. Receiving 230 valid responses, the data was analyzed via a process of multivariate analysis using covariance based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) utilizing AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structure) software. The result obtained from the analysis indicate that the economic and political-regulatory factors exert the most influence on the foreign ethnic restaurant resilience. This result is supported by the qualitative findings. In addition, the food socio-culture able to moderate the relationship between development and change toward the foreign ethnic restaurant resilience. This indicate that the customers play an important role in the enhancing the foreign ethnic resilience as well as contributing toward its survival. The combination between quantitative and qualitative results are able to produce richer analysis and discussion which carry varying consequences and implication to the academic perspective and practical perspective particularly to the foreign ethnic restaurant business operation. Based on the notion, it is clear that the technological, economics and political-regulatory factors as part of the general operating environment attributes not only prepare the conducive environment for restaurant business operation but also exerting constant pressure in the form of business uncertainty that require ongoing monitoring to ensure the any form of opportunity can be capitalized and any potential of crisis brewing in the background could be sensed earlier and properly mitigated through ample resources and dynamics change in the restaurant business strategy thus enhancing the foreign ethnic restaurant resilience

The effects of English language for communication towards student’s proficiency level / Mohd Noor Azmin Hashim

This research was conducted to analyze form four students of SMK Tun Mutahir on the effects of English language for communication towards students’ proficiency level. A total of 30 students were involved as respondents, in which they were required to complete a questionnaire and has given a small picture on the scenario regarding the use of English among secondary students and the effects of it on their proficiency level. The research findings showed that most of the students are aware of the importance of acquiring and mastering the language and one way is to practice to use the language through communication

Physical evaluations of Haruan spray for wound dressing and wound healing

Haruan spray (aerosol) dosage form is a new dosage form formulated for use as wound dressing and wound healing. Spray can minimize pain and emotional trauma experience during the application and removal process of conventional dressing and bandages. Haruan extract is incorporated as an active ingredient of the aerosol concentrate for its ability to enhance the healing process. The aim of this study is to evaluate the physical properties of Haruan spray using different propellant. The propellants evaluated were 1,1,1,2 – tetrafluoroethane (HFA 134a), butane and propane. Concentrate of aerosol also contain hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as polymer and glycerine as plasticizer. All ingredients of the aerosol were packaged in an aluminium container fitted with continuous-spray valves. Evaluations for the Haruan spray included delivery rate, delivery amount, pressure, minimum fill, leakage, flammability, spray patterns and particles image. Glass containers were used to study incompatibility between the concentrate and propellant due to the ease of visible inspection. HFA 134a reacted with the concentrate and produced white aggregates, while propane had a very high vapour pressure. From safety and economics point of view, butane was chosen as the propellant because it met the requirements for aerosol and produced Haruan spray with the expected characteristics.Keywords: Aerosols; Haruan; 1,1,1,2 – tetrafluoroethane (HFA 134a); propane; butane; aluminium caniste

Physical evaluations of Haruan spray for wound dressing and wound healing

Haruan spray (aerosol) dosage form is a new dosage form formulated for use as wound dressing and wound healing. Spray can minimize pain and emotional trauma experience during the application and removal process of conventional dressing and bandages. Haruan extract is incorporated as an active ingredient of the aerosol concentrate for its ability to enhance the healing process. The aim of this study is to evaluate the physical properties of Haruan spray using different propellant. The propellants evaluated were 1,1,1,2 – tetrafluoroethane (HFA 134a), butane and propane. Concentrate of aerosol also contain hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as polymer and glycerine as plasticizer. All ingredients of the aerosol were packaged in an aluminium container fitted with continuous-spray valves. Evaluations for the Haruan spray included delivery rate, delivery amount, pressure, minimum fill, leakage, flammability, spray patterns and particles image. Glass containers were used to study incompatibility between the concentrate and propellant due to the ease of visible inspection. HFA 134a reacted with the concentrate and produced white aggregates, while propane had a very high vapour pressure. From safety and economics point of view, butane was chosen as the propellant because it met the requirements for aerosol and produced Haruan spray with the expected characteristics.Keywords: Aerosols; Haruan; 1,1,1,2 – tetrafluoroethane (HFA 134a); propane; butane; aluminium caniste

Development and testing of open-jet wind tunnel for quadrotor flight testing

Station keeping of a hovering quadrotor under various turbulent wind condition has gained much attention these days due to its potential application in complex environments. Various types of control algorithm have been developed to increase the performance of the quadrotor under such wind conditions. These need to be tested and verified by flying the quadrotor itself. One of the quick and low-cost solutions would be to set up a test rig by modifying an existing wind tunnel to recreate such wind conditions. In order to cater such experiments, in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), an open-jet wind tunnel was attached to an existing open-loop wind tunnel, which initially has a test area of 1 meter by 1-meter size. By attaching the open-jet wind tunnel which has a diverged shape, the test section area is increased up to 2 meters in diameter size, ensuring sufficient space for manoeuvring and hovering the experimental quadrotor. A settling chamber is attached before the test section to characterize the output wind. The maximum wind speed at the opening is 8 m/s. The extended wind tunnel's flow characteristics are analyzed by anemometer for velocity distribution in four different distance from the opening. It has been found that the wind velocity distribution and turbulent intensity simulate the outdoor wind turbulent condition to test a quadrotor hovering control algorithm

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of ketoprofen in palm oil esters nanoemulsion

Ketoprofen is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug has been used in the treatment of various kinds of pains, inflammation and arthritis. However, oral administration of ketoprofen produces serious gastrointestinal adverse effects. One of the promising methods to overcome these adverse effects is to administer the drug through the skin. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects from topically applied ketoprofen entrapped palm oil esters (POEs) based nanoemulsion and to compare with market ketoprofen product, Fastum® gel. The novelty of this study is, use of POEs for the oil phase of nanoemulsion. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic studies were performed on rats by carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema test and carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia pain threshold test to compare the ketoprofen entrapped POEs based nanoemulsion formulation and market formulation. Results indicated that there are no significant different between ketoprofen entrapped POEs nanoemulsion and market formulation in carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema study and carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia pain threshold study. However, it shows a significant different between POEs nanoemulsion formulation and control group in these studies at p<0.05. From these results it was concluded that the developed nanoemulsion have great potential for topical application of ketoprofen

Effect of surfactant and surfactant blends on pseudoternary phase diagram behavior of newly synthesized palm kernel oil esters

Background: The purpose of this study was to select appropriate surfactants or blends of surfactants to study the ternary phase diagram behavior of newly introduced palm kernel oil esters. Methods: Nonionic surfactant blends of Tween® and Tween®/Span® series were screened based on their solubilization capacity with water for palm kernel oil esters. Tween® 80 and five blends of Tween® 80/Span® 80 and Tween® 80/Span® 85 in the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value range of 10.7–14.0 were selected to study the phase diagram behavior of palm kernel oil esters using the water titration method at room temperature. Results: High solubilization capacity was obtained by Tween® 80 compared with other surfactants of Tween® series. High HLB blends of Tween® 80/Span® 85 and Tween® 80/Span® 80 at HLB 13.7 and 13.9, respectively, have better solubilization capacity compared with the lower HLB values of Tween® 80/Span® 80. All the selected blends of surfactants were formed as waterin- oil microemulsions, and other dispersion systems varied in size and geometrical layout in the triangles. The high solubilization capacity and larger areas of the water-in-oil microemulsion systems were due to the structural similarity between the lipophilic tail of Tween® 80 and the oleyl group of the palm kernel oil esters. Conclusion: This study suggests that the phase diagram behavior of palm kernel oil esters, water, and nonionic surfactants is not only affected by the HLB value, but also by the structural similarity between palm kernel oil esters and the surfactant used. The information gathered in this study is useful for researchers and manufacturers interested in using palm kernel oil esters in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparation. The use of palm kernel oil esters can improve drug delivery and reduce the cost of cosmetics

Effect of surfactant and surfactant blends on pseudoternary phase diagram behavior of newly synthesized palm kernel oil esters

Elrashid Saleh Mahdi1, Mohamed HF Sakeena1, Muthanna F Abdulkarim1, Ghassan Z Abdullah1,3, Munavvar Abdul Sattar2, Azmin Mohd Noor11Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, 2Department of Physiology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Penang, Malaysia; 3Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaBackground: The purpose of this study was to select appropriate surfactants or blends of surfactants to study the ternary phase diagram behavior of newly introduced palm kernel oil esters.Methods: Nonionic surfactant blends of Tween&amp;reg; and Tween&amp;reg;/Span&amp;reg; series were screened based on their solubilization capacity with water for palm kernel oil esters. Tween&amp;reg; 80 and five blends of Tween&amp;reg; 80/Span&amp;reg; 80 and Tween&amp;reg; 80/Span&amp;reg; 85 in the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value range of 10.7&amp;ndash;14.0 were selected to study the phase diagram behavior of palm kernel oil esters using the water titration method at room temperature.Results: High solubilization capacity was obtained by Tween&amp;reg; 80 compared with other surfactants of Tween&amp;reg; series. High HLB blends of Tween&amp;reg; 80/Span&amp;reg; 85 and Tween&amp;reg; 80/Span&amp;reg; 80 at HLB 13.7 and 13.9, respectively, have better solubilization capacity compared with the lower HLB values of Tween&amp;reg; 80/Span&amp;reg; 80. All the selected blends of surfactants were formed as water-in-oil microemulsions, and other dispersion systems varied in size and geometrical layout in the triangles. The high solubilization capacity and larger areas of the water-in-oil microemulsion systems were due to the structural similarity between the lipophilic tail of Tween&amp;reg; 80 and the oleyl group of the palm kernel oil esters.Conclusion: This study suggests that the phase diagram behavior of palm kernel oil esters, water, and nonionic surfactants is not only affected by the HLB value, but also by the structural similarity between palm kernel oil esters and the surfactant used. The information gathered in this study is useful for researchers and manufacturers interested in using palm kernel oil esters in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparation. The use of palm kernel oil esters can improve drug delivery and reduce the cost of cosmetics.Keywords: phase diagram, palm kernel oil esters, nonionic surfactants, microemulsion

Formulation and in vitro release evaluation of newly synthesized palm kernel oil esters-based nanoemulsion delivery system for 30% ethanolic dried extract derived from local Phyllanthus urinaria for skin antiaging

Elrashid Saleh Mahdi1, Azmin Mohd Noor1, Mohamed Hameem Sakeena1, Ghassan Z Abdullah1, Muthanna F Abdulkarim1, Munavvar Abdul Sattar2 1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, 2Department of Physiology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia Background: Recently there has been a remarkable surge of interest about natural products and their applications in the cosmetic industry. Topical delivery of antioxidants from natural sources is one of the approaches used to reverse signs of skin aging. The aim of this research was to develop a nanoemulsion cream for topical delivery of 30% ethanolic extract derived from local Phyllanthus urinaria (P. urinaria) for skin antiaging. Methods: Palm kernel oil esters (PKOEs)-based nanoemulsions were loaded with P. urinaria extract using a spontaneous method and characterized with respect to particle size, zeta potential, and rheological properties. The release profile of the extract was evaluated using in vitro Franz diffusion cells from an artificial membrane and the antioxidant activity of the extract released was evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Results: Formulation F12 consisted of wt/wt, 0.05% P. urinaria extract, 1% cetyl alcohol, 0.5% glyceryl monostearate, 12% PKOEs, and 27% Tween&amp;reg; 80/Span&amp;reg; 80 (9/1) with a hydrophilic lipophilic balance of 13.9, and a 59.5% phosphate buffer system at pH 7.4. Formulation F36 was comprised of 0.05% P. urinaria extract, 1% cetyl alcohol, 1% glyceryl monostearate, 14% PKOEs, 28% Tween&amp;reg; 80/Span&amp;reg; 80 (9/1) with a hydrophilic lipophilic balance of 13.9, and 56% phosphate buffer system at pH 7.4 with shear thinning and thixotropy. The droplet size of F12 and F36 was 30.74 nm and 35.71 nm, respectively, and their nanosizes were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy images. Thereafter, 51.30% and 51.02% of the loaded extract was released from F12 and F36 through an artificial cellulose membrane, scavenging 29.89% and 30.05% of DPPH radical activity, respectively. Conclusion: The P. urinaria extract was successfully incorporated into a PKOEs-based nanoemulsion delivery system. In vitro release of the extract from the formulations showed DPPH radical scavenging activity. These formulations can neutralize reactive oxygen species and counteract oxidative injury induced by ultraviolet radiation and thereby ameliorate skin aging. Keywords: nanoemulsions, Phyllanthus urinaria, skin antiaging, palm kernel oil ester

Carbopol 934, 940 and Ultrez 10 as viscosity modifiers of palm olein esters based nano-scaled emulsion containing ibuprofen

Micro-emulsions and sometimes nano-emulsions are well known candidates to deliver drugs locally. However, the poor rheological properties are marginally affecting their acceptance pharmaceutically. This work aimed to modify the poor flow properties of a nano-scaled emulsion comprising palm olein esters as the oil phase and ibuprofen as the active ingredient for topical delivery. Three Carbopol ® resins: 934, 940 and Ultrez 10, were utilized in various concentrations to achieve these goals. Moreover, phosphate buffer and triethanolamine solutions pH 7.4 were used as neutralizing agents to assess their effects on the gel-forming and swelling properties of Carbopol ® 940. The addition of these polymers caused the produced nano-scaled emulsion to show a dramatic droplets enlargement of the dispersed globules, increased intrinsic viscosity, consistent zeta potential and transparent-to-opaque change in appearance. These changes were relatively influenced by the type and the concentration of the resin used. Carbopol ® 940 and triethanolamine appeared to be superior in achieving the proposed tasks compared to other materials. The higher the pH of triethanolamine solution, the stronger the flow-modifying properties of Carbopol ® 940. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of a well-arranged gel network of Carbopol ® 940, which was the major cause for all realized changes. Later in vitro permeation studies showed a significant decrease in the drug penetration, thus further modification using 10% w/w menthol or limonene as permeation promoters was performed. This resulted in in vitro and in vivo pharmacodynamics properties that are comparably higher than the reference chosen for this study