A study on the transferable skills of the engineering students at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

The purpose of this study was to identify the students' levels of awareness of the importance of transferable skills and the mastery of the aspects of adaptive, critical thinking, and problem-solving. In addition, this study also aimed to identify differences in students' levels of awareness of the importance of transferable skills and the difference levels of awareness between male and female students. Research method used in this study was quantitative survey by using questionnaire. Data were analysed by finding the mean and an independent t-test. The results showed that students' levels of awareness of the importance of transferable skills and the mastery levels of these skills were at a high and there were significant differences between female and male students' levels of awareness of the importance of transferable skills. However, the analysis showed no difference in the levels of dominance. Overall, greater awareness will help students to master the skills perfectly. It can also be used as a guide for students to identify elements and features that are required by employers nowaday

In-situ ultrasonic monitoring of zeolite A crystallization from coal fly ash

In this study, high phase purity of zeolite A was prepared from coal fly ash precursors. The molar regime of both the clear solution extract and unseparated fly ash slurry was adjusted to achieve the right composition for zeolite A crystallization. The formation process for zeolite A from coal fly ash precursors was monitored in detail using an in situ ultrasonic system and was complemented by use of ex situ techniques such as XRD, FTIR, SEM and FTIR. The findings from both the in situ ultrasonic monitoring process and ex situ techniques clearly contributed significantly in unmasking the formation process of zeolite A from coal fly ash compared to previous studies reported in the literature. The study also enriches the existing body of literature by deeply investigating the gel–solution–crystal interactions starting from this complex feedstock. Comparable ultrasonic signals were generated when both clear and unseparated fly ash based precursor solutions were used during the zeolite synthesis process.Web of Scienc

LIQUIDITY-PROFITABILITY TRADEOFF EXISTENCE IN TURKEY: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION UNDER STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING

Firms in emerging markets could show a tendency to have high liquidity positions by ignoring the liquidity-profitability tradeoff in terms of working capital management due to gained experiences from stressed times. Accordingly, this study empirically examines the validity of liquidity-profitability tradeoff in Turkish market via structural equation modeling. The functions of liquidity and profitability as latent variables of the model are constituted from Piotroski’s criterias of liquidity/solvency, operating efficiency and profitability. The hypothesized model for the inexistence of the validity of liquidity-profitability tradeoff was verified and there is a moderate level of positive effect between liquidity and profitability in Turkey. The findings indicate that (1) current ratio or its variants as single-handed variables are inadequate to explain liquidity- profitability relation and (2) leverage seems to be the most important indicator as taken into account on working capital management decisions. Turkish firms apply prudent working capital management to overcome possible liquidity shocks.</p

MFI Type Zeolite Aggregates with Nanosized Particles via a Combination of Spray Drying and Steam-Assisted Crystallization (SAC) Techniques

This article belongs to the Special Issue Catalysis on Zeolites and Zeolite-Like Materials II

In-situ diagnostics of zeolite formation processes based on the measurement of Ultrasonic attenuation and velocity

In dieser Arbeit wurden die Synthesen von Zeolithen mittels Messung von US-Dämpfung und -geschwindigkeit untersucht. Die Zielstellung der Arbeit war zu überprüfen, ob Ultra-schall als eine diagnostische Methode zur Prozesskontrolle der Zeolithsynthese eingesetzt werden kann und aus den in-situ Ultraschallergebnissen kinetische und reaktionsmechanisti- sche Informationen erhalten werden können. Ausgewählt wurden die hydrothermalen Synthesen von Zeolith A nach dem Sol-Gel-Prozess und die kolloidalen Synthesen von Zeolith A und Silikalith-1 Lösungen sowie die solvothermale Synthese von CuBTC. Die in-situ Ultraschalldaten korrelierten in den Sol-Gel-synthesen mit der Entwicklung der Kristallinität und in den kolloidalen Synthesen mit der Zunahme der Produktmenge. Die US-Geschwindigkeit reagierte mehr auf die chemischen und physikalischen Änderungen (z.B. Ionenkonzentrationen, die Dichte und die Temperatur) in der flüssigen Phase. Die US- Dämpfung korrelierte besser die Änderungen in der festen Phase. Somit bietet die Anwendung des Ultraschalls als eine in-situ diagnostische Methode die Möglichkeit, die Änderungen des Synthesezustandes einer Zeolithkristallisation sowohl in der flüssigen Phase als auch in der festen Phase während des gesamten Kristallisationsvorganges beobachten zu können. In Kristallisationsprozessen von Zeolithen bildet sich oftmals zunächst eine metastabile Phase, die sich schließlich in eine unerwünschte stabilere Phase umwandelt. Aus diesem Grund wäre es wünschenswert, den Kristallisationsprozess der Synthese auf eine kostengünstige, robuste und einfacher Weise zu verfolgen. Bei allen Synthesen in dieser Arbeit konnten der Anfang und das Ende der Kristallisation sowie die Dauer der Inkubations- bzw. Kristallisationsdauer exakt in-situ detektiert werden. Somit eignet sich die Methode zur Prozesskontrolle nicht nur in Laborsynthesen sondern auch in den industriellen Großanlagen. Durch die erhaltene hohe Anzahl an Datenpunkten konnten die kinetischen Daten wie die Aktivierungsenergie und Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit bzw. Ordnung auf einfacher und sicherer Weise mit geringem Fehler erhalten werden. Durch die in-situ Analyse wurde die Synthese nicht gestört und die Daten konnten trotz der großen Menge schnell ausgewertet werden, was man für eine ex-situ Analyse gebrauchen hätte. Somit konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Ultraschalldiagnostik auch als ein Tool zur Erhaltung von kinetischen Daten eingesetzt werden kann. Obwohl die hier angewendete Ultraschalltechnik keine struktursensitive Analysemethode ist, konnte man aus den Ergebnissen wichtige Information auch über den Verlauf der Kristallisationsentwicklung erhalten werden. Durch den Einsatz der Ultraschallmessung in dieser Arbeit konnten wichtige Informationen zu den Kristallisationsvorgängen von Zeolithen und MOF´s bekommen und ein besseres Verständnis der Arbeitsweise des in-situ Ultraschallmonitorings erhalten werden.In this work the synthesis of the zeolite by means of measurement of ultrasonic attenuation and velocity were examined. The aim of this study was to determine whether ultrasound can be used as a diagnostic method for process control of zeolite synthesis and if information regarding the reaction kinetics and mechanism can be obtained from the in - situ ultrasonic results. The selected synthesis techniques were the hydrothermal synthesis of zeolite A, according to the sol gel and the colloidal synthesis route, the colloidal synthesis of silicalite-1 and the sol- vothermal synthesis of CuBTC. In situ ultrasonic data correlated in the sol-gel synthesis with the development of crystallinity and in the colloidal synthesis with an increase in the amount of product. The ultrasonic velocity was responding more to the chemical and physical changes (e.g. ion concentration, density and temperature) in the liquid phase. The ultrasonic atten- uation was found to correlate better with the changes in the solid phase. The applicability of ultrasound was thereby demonstrated as a diagnostic in-situ method to monitor the changes in the synthesis of zeolite crystallization in both the liquid phase and the solid phase during the whole crystallization process. In crystallization processes of zeolites a metastable phase is often initially formed, which eventually transforms into an undesired stable phase. For this reason, it would be desirable to follow the crystallization of the synthesis process in a cost effective, robust and simple way. In all syntheses in this work, the beginning and the end of the crystallization and the duration of incubation and crystallization time could be accurately detected in situ. Thus, the method was found to be suitable for process control, not only in laboratory synthesis but also in the large industrial suitable. Due to the resulting high number of data points, kinetic data such as activation energy and reaction rate or order could be obtained in a simple and safe manner with minimal error. Due to the in - situ analysis, the synthesis was not disturbed and the data could be analyzed quickly in spite of the large data amount required for an ex - situ analysis. Thus, it could be shown that diagnostic ultrasound may also be used as a tool for maintenance of kinetic data. Although the ultrasound technology applied here is not a structure-sensitive method of analysis, important information could be obtained from the results concerning the course of crys- tallization development. Through the use of ultrasound measurement in this work important information regarding the crystallization processes of zeolites and MOFs could be achieved and a better understanding of the operation of the in - situ ultrasonic monitoring are obtained

Collaborative project-based learning: an integrative science and technological education project

Background: Blending collaborative learning and project-based learning (PBL) based on Wolff (2003) design categories, students interacted in a learning environment where they developed their technology integration practices as well as their technological and collaborative skills.Purpose: The study aims to understand how seventh grade students perceive a collaborative web-based science project in light of Wolff's design categories. The goal of the project is to develop their technological and collaborative skills, to educate them about technology integration practices, and to provide an optimum collaborative, PBL experience.Sample: Seventh grade students aged 12-14 (n=15) were selected from a rural K-12 school in Turkey through purposeful sampling.Design and methods: The current study applied proactive action research since it focused on utilizing a new way to enhance students' technological and collaborative skills and to demonstrate technology integration into science coursework. Data were collected qualitatively through interviews, observation forms, forum archives, and website evaluation rubrics.Results: The results found virtual spaces such as online tutorials, forums, and collaborative and communicative tools to be beneficial for collaborative PBL. The study supported Wolff's design features for a collaborative PBL environment, applying features appropriate for a rural K-12 school setting and creating a digitally-enriched environment. As the forum could not be used as effectively as expected because of school limitations, more flexible spaces independent of time and space were needed.Conclusions: This study's interdisciplinary, collaborative PBL was efficient in enhancing students' advanced technological and collaborative skills, as well as exposing them to practices for integrating technology into science. The study applied design features for a collaborative PBL environment with certain revisions

CHANGE IN YIELD AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF TALL FESCUE (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) PLANTS UNDER SALT STRESS

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different irrigation water salinity levels (0, 3, 5 and 8 dS/m) on hay yield, chemical composition, gas and methane production, metabolic energy (ME) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) of plants. Experiments were conducted in randomized blocks design with four replications for two years (2014-2015). Calcium chloride (CaCl2), sodium chloride (NaCl) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) salts were used to prepare irrigation waters with different salinity levels. Drip irrigation was used. Fresh and dry hay yields, plant height, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and crude oil contents decreased with increasing salt doses. Tall fescue Olympus cultivar exhibited a moderate tolerance to salinity. Fresh hay yield decreased by 8.2% at 1.85 dS/m threshold salinity level and dry hay yield decreased 8.2% at 1.97 dS/m threshold salinity level. Crude protein content, gas and methane production, net energy lactation, metabolic energy and organic matter digestibility increased with increasing salt doses. Despite the decreases in hay yield, 8 dS/m did not result in any decreases in protein yields and resulted in low gas and methane production