Influence of Kenaf (KNF) Loading on Processing Torque and Water Absorption Properties of KNF-Filled Linear Low-Density Polyethylene/Poly (vinyl alcohol) (LLDPE/PVA) Composites

AbstractThe KNF-filled linear low-density polyethylene composites were prepared by using an internal mixer (Thermo Haake Polydrive) at 150°C and 50rpm rotor speed. The composites were mixed with different KNF loading, i.e., 10, 20, 30 and 40 phr. The effects of KNF loading on processing torque and water absorption of the composites were investigated. The results indicated that stabilization torque and water absorption were increased with increasing KNF loading. Composites with higher KNF loading demonstrate higher equilibrium water absorption

Enhancement of performance of farmed buffaloes pasture management and feed supplementation in Sabah, Malaysia

A buffalo-breeding farm run on an extensive grazing system without feed supplementation was selected for this study. Farm records between 2004 and 2011 were analysed for selected parameters, particularly calving rate, calving interval, average daily gain of calves and calf mortality. Following the analysis, interventions were implemented in January 2012, which included increase in pasture area from 399 to 441 acres followed by application of organic fertiliser. The selected breeder buffaloes were prepared for breeding by supplementing palm kernel cake-based feed at the rate of 1.5 kg/animal/day for two weeks before breeder males were introduced at the rate of one male to 20 females. Weaning age was reduced from six to three months. Prior to the intervention, proximate analysis of pasture revealed 7.6% crude protein content; approximately 79% of breeder buffaloes were found with a body score of >3; the average annual calving rate was 22%; the calving interval was 24±11.2 months; average daily gain of calves was 0.89±0.21 kg; the average birth weight was 28.31±3.26 kg; and calf mortality was 26.8±7.0%. Following intervention, proximate analysis of grass revealed 12% crude protein content. With feed supplementation, the percentage of breeder females with a body score of >3 increased to 95%, leading to an average annual calving rate of 50%. Average birth weight was significantly (p<0.05) improved to 35.4±5.39 kg, while the average daily gain was 0.95±0.32 kg. Subsequently, the average calving interval was reduced to 15.2±9.2 months. Similarly, calf mortality rate was significantly (p<0.05) reduced to 17.6±4.7%. In conclusion, improved management, particularly of pasture and feeding, significantly enhanced the performance of farmed buffaloes

Corporate Social Reporting: A Preliminary Study of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (BIMB)

The purpose of this paper is to examine the themes, locations, extent, and also trends of corporatesocial responsibility (CSR) disclosure of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (BIMB) from 1992to 2005. A disclosure index (checklist) and the extent of such disclosures were measured usingcontent analysis based on number of sentences. The findings of this study show that BIMBprefers to disclose themes associated with employees, product, and service contributions andcommunity involvement. Among the most popular locations in disclosing such information arein the chairman’s statement, financial statements, and directors’ report. The results also revealthat the bank has improved in terms of volume and the manner of presenting or disclosing CSRfrom year to year. This study is the first of its kind to be conducted on a company in a specificindustry in Malaysia using a longitudinal approach, and its empirical findings complement thefindings of prior studies. Copyright © www.iiste.or

Design and development of auxiliary components for a new two-stroke, stratified-charge, lean-burn gasoline engine

A unique stepped-piston engine was developed by a group of research engineers at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), from 2003 to 2005. The development work undertaken by them engulfs design, prototyping and evaluation over a predetermined period of time which was iterative and challenging in nature. The main objective of the program is to demonstrate local R&D capabilities on small engine work that is able to produce mobile powerhouse of comparable output, having low-fuel consumption and acceptable emission than its crankcase counterpart of similar displacement. A two-stroke engine work was selected as it posses a number of technological challenges, increase in its thermal efficiency, which upon successful undertakings will be useful in assisting the group in future powertrain undertakings in UTM. In its carbureted version, the single-cylinder aircooled engine incorporates a three-port transfer system and a dedicated crankcase breather. These features will enable the prototype to have high induction efficiency and to behave very much a two-stroke engine but equipped with a four-stroke crankcase lubrication system. After a series of analytical work the engine was subjected to a series of laboratory trials. It was also tested on a small watercraft platform with promising indication of its flexibility of use as a prime mover in mobile platform. In an effort to further enhance its technology features, the researchers have also embarked on the development of an add-on auxiliary system. The system comprises of an engine control unit (ECU), a directinjector unit, a dedicated lubricant dispenser unit and an embedded common rail fuel unit. This support system was incorporated onto the engine to demonstrate the finer points of environmental-friendly and fuel economy features. The outcome of this complete package is described in the report, covering the methodology and the final characteristics of the mobile power plant

Using the Enterprise Architecture Approach to Analyse the Current Performance of Manchester United Football Club

Manchester United Football Club (MUFC) is one of the most successful football clubs in England, if not the world.&nbsp; However, the football club's recent performance in domestic and European tournaments has left a lot to be desired.&nbsp; The recent 2021 Europa League final failure encapsulates the football club's decade-long condition.&nbsp; MUFC's days of competing seriously for trophies in every tournament open to the club are over.&nbsp; MUFC came close to winning the local league in the 2017 and 2021 seasons but fell short, just like they did in the previous Europa League final in 2021.&nbsp; Numerous reasons have contributed to the current poor performance streak.&nbsp; This study aims to apply an enterprise architectural framework to enhance football player performance and manager-player relationships.&nbsp; This study discovered that MUFC might leverage big data analytics-IT integrated systems by following easy-to-understand enterprise architectural framework phases, which streamlines the adoption process for MUF

Linear low density polyethylene/poly (vinyl alcohol)/kenaf composites: effect of natural weathering on functional group, weight loss characteristics, tensile, morphological and thermal properties

The development of natural fiber polymer composites is increasing worldwide and in some applications, these composites are used at outdoor rendering them exposed to ultra-violet (UV) radiation. The paper investigates the degradation behavior of linear low density polyethylene/poly (vinyl alcohol)/kenaf (LLDPE/PVOH/KNF) composites after exposure to different natural weathering durations. The composites with KNF loadings of 10, 20 and 40 parts per hundred resin (phr) were exposed to natural weathering for 3 months and 6 months, respectively. The weathered composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, universal testing machine, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The FTIR analysis showed an obvious carbonyl peak in composites after weathering as an evidence of oxidation. The weight loss percentage of composites increased with respect to exposure duration due to higher absorption of UV irradiation. The tensile properties of weathered composites were lower than that of control composites and these properties also decreased with increasing exposure duration. FESEM micrographs illustrated that composites with longer exposure duration suffered more surface damaged. The crystallinity percentage was found to increase with increasing exposure duration

Development of mini scale compressed air energy storage system

Nowadays, we know about the problem of decreasing the source of natural gas fuel, makes the higher fuel cost for Gas Turbine power plant usage. Because of that, the new technology called the Compressed Air Energy Storage system is created. The main concept of this system is use otT-peak power to pressurize air into an underground reservoir, which is then released during peak daytime hour to power Gas Turbine for power production. This project is to design in small scale system where it can use otT-peak electricity to switch on the air compressor to compressed air. Then the compressed air produced will store in high pressure cylinder tank replace the airtight underground caverns. When the air is released from the high pressure tank, the air expands through a micro-turbine which connected single shaft with generator rotor. Then the micro turbine run and rotate generator rotor that convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. Output voltage then will convert from dc to ac voltag

Evaluation of the semen quality of a buffalo bull in the Buffalo Breeding and Research Centre, Telupid, Sabah, Malaysia

Breeding Soundness Examination (BSE) is an evaluation of fertility of male animals. Semen quality and scrotal circumference of buffalo bulls were the parameters determined during BSE. This study was conducted at the Buffalo Breeding and Research Centre Farm, Telupid, Sabah, Malaysia to evaluate semen quality of buffalo bulls and determine the correlation between scrotal circumference with age. Nine buffalo bulls were selected of which 6 were Murrah-Swamp crosses and 3 local Swamp. The age of bulls ranged between 1 to 10 years with body weight ranging between 346 and 500 kg. Semen collection was done using an electroejaculator from only two swamp buffalo bulls of age 3 and 4 years. Semen was collected twice at one week interval. Scrotal size circumference was measured using a measuring tape. Semen was evaluated based on ejaculated volume, sperm motility, live sperm and sperm morphology. Semen volumes collected from the two buffalo bulls were 0.2 and 0.5 mL, respectively. The mean semen volume was 0.4 mL, general sperm motility was 77.5%, individual progressive sperm motility was 77.5%, live sperm was 66.0% and sperm abnormality was 9.25%. The measurement scrotal size showed that the Murrah-Swamp crosses had mean scrotal circumference of 27.16 cm while for the Swamp buffalo it was 23.33 cm. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in scrotal circumference between the two breeds. However, correlation between scrotal circumference and age of bull were significant. In conclusion, semen characteristics of swamp buffalo bull in this farm meet the requirements for breeding soundness evaluation of the buffalo bull and as the buffalo bulls get older the circumference of the scrotum increases

Evaluation of grass quality in grazing and ungrazing paddocks in a Buffalo Breeding and Research Centre, Telupid, Sabah, Malaysia

Buffalo production is dependent almost entirely on forages. Thus, adequate nutrition plays important role in the productivity of buffaloes. In Buffalo Breeding and Research Centre, Telupid, Sabah, Malaysia, Signal Grass (Brachiaria decumbens) is fed to buffaloes. Since the growth of the buffalo depends on the nutritional quality of grass provided to them, this study was undertaken to evaluate the nutrient contents of signal grass to determine its quality. In addition, a comparison was made on the nutrient contents between signal grass obtained from the grazing and non-grazing areas. Six grass samples each was obtained from grazing and non-grazing areas. The grass samples were taken using the quadrat and all the samples were air-dried and sent to Universiti Pertanian Malaysia for proximate analysis. The dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) were determined. The values of Van Soest Fibre were also determined, to include neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). The results revealed that the DM and CP were significant (p<0.05) higher in grass from grazing than non-grazing area. There was also significant (p<0.05) negative correlation between DM and CP contents of signal grass. In conclusion, the grass in grazing area has better nutritive value compared to grass in non-grazing area. In addition, the relationship between DM and CP was inversely related, that is as DM increases CP decreases. The results of the current study could be used to improve the performance of farm and as a reference for future study

Identifying solution alternatives to curb employee absenteeism using analytic hierarchy process

This paper reports the findings of a survey analysis done to identify reasons for absenteeism and suitable remedial mechanisms to curb absenteeism among employees at an organization.Eight criteria that mostly influence employee absenteeism were selected from fifteen criteria obtained through a survey involving twelve employees with highest absenteeism record.In addition, five remedial mechanisms to curb the problem were identified.The final decision on the remedial mechanism believed to be most suitable and efficient in curbing the absenteeism problem was determined using analytic hierarchy process.The findings revealed that uninteresting work, illness and job stress are three top contributors to employee absenteeism while the top three alternatives to curb this problem are through staff recognition, attendance financial bonus, and counseling