A Variation of Decomposition Under a Length Constraint

Introducing and initiating a study of a new variation of decomposition namely equiparity induced path decomposition of a graph which is defined to be a decomposition in which all the members are induced paths having same parity

Early detection of corrosion activity in reinforced concrete slab by AE technique

Chloride induced corrosion of steel reinforcement in concrete is the main cause of damage to concrete structures in marine, or structures exposed to de-icing salt environments. The need for early detection of corrosion in reinforced concrete structures is widely acknowledged in corrosion health monitoring for strategic civil engineering projects. This paper summarizes results from a laboratory experiment, using Acoustic Emission (AE) technique, regarding early detection of corrosion in reinforced concrete slabs that are exposed to chloride. The Results showed that while AE was able to determine the initiation of corrosion in reinforced concrete slab, Half-cell potential (HCP) was not able to detect it at the early stage of corrosion

AN INVESTIGATIONAL RESEARCH ON THE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE MANAGER‘S ROLE IN TRAINING PROGRAMS AND TRAINING TRANSFER IN A LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN MALAYSIA

This research was designed to investigate the correlation between manager‘s role andtraining transfer. A survey method was employed to gather 427 usable questionnaires fromgovernment servants in a local government office in Malaysia. The outcome of stepwise regressionstudy showed four important findings: firstly, support is insignificantly correlated with trainingtransfer. Secondly, communication is significantly correlated with training transfer. Thirdly,assignment is insignificantly correlated with training transfer. Fourthly, delivery mode issignificantly correlated with training transfer. The statistical value of this research shows thatcommunication and delivery mode have played important roles as determinants of training transfer,but support and assignment have not played important roles as determinants of training transfer inthe organizational sample. In this paper, discussions, propositions and conclusions are elaborated.Keywords: Manager‘s role, training transfer, local government office in MalaysiaJEL codes:M12

The effect of light and darkness on acclimatization of laying hens

Laying hens kept in different light and dark periods of the day at high ambient temperature of maximum 35°C were challenged to 38.5±0.5°C acute heat 3 hours daily for 7 consecutive days. They were found to have a significant (p<0.01) acclimatization response (rectal temperature) to heat stress during the dark period compared to those exposed to the same temperature during the light period. The blood pH was not significantly different. The partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) was significantly high (p<0.01) except in day 4. Similarly the blood bicarbonate (HCO3-) concentration was significantly high (p<0.05) except day three and day four. Acute heat exposure in the first day increased the body temperature in both groups (Light and Dark) reaching 44°C, followed by gradual reduction in body temperature. The dark treated birds showed rapid reduction in body temperature (42.88°C) and adaptation to high temperature during days 2-4 but that this was lost to some extent in days 6-8. However this was not obvious in the light treated birds. It is concluded that darkness reduce hyperthermia and enhance acclimatization responses during acute heat stress

Application of Fin System on Adsorption of Methylene Blue Dye Using Adsorbent Coating Layer: Mathematical Formulae

Treatment of dye solution using fin system is one of the new adsorption application techniques that can replace expensive conventional adsorption treatment units that mostly used in industries. The fins will work as the media of adsorbent coating and immerse in a tank containing dye wastewater. The purpose of present study is to develop simple mathematical equations for the fin's system by using adsorbent coating layer (ACL) as an adsorbent. By installing coated fins inside the tank, the concentration of dye can be easily reduced up to 90 %. The equilibrium adsorption data was best met by the Langmuir isotherm, indicating the adsorption is homogeneous surface and in monolayer state. The mathematical formula developed from the isotherm model of adsorption was revealed to be used in large scale application for the removal of methylene blue dye from industrial wastewater since the percent error between calculated and experimental values were less than 15%

Strobilanthes crispus leaves extracts (SCE) induced lipolysis and increased leptin level in diet-induced obese rats fed high-fat diet

The aim of the present study was to assess the anti-obesity and lipolysis effects of Strobilanthes crispus leaves extract (SCE) in diet-induced obese (DIO) rats by administering 1% (w/w) of SCE in drinking water. Methods: Normal Sprague-Dawley rats were induced obese using a high-fat (HF) diet formulation for 14 weeks. DIO rats were subsequently treated with 1% (w/w) SCE while the HF diet was switched to normal rat chow diet. Food intake, water intake and bodyweight were measured weekly. Other parameters e.g. blood lipid profile were determined in normal and DIO rats before and after treatment with SCE. Histopathological changes in the liver were also observed after treatment. Results: Prior to treatment, DIO rats have significantly higher (p < 0.05) bodyweight, adipose tissue and liver weight, plasma leptin levels, lower adipose tissue lipolysis rate and severe fatty livers and the trend continues in non-treated DIO rats served as Control group. DIO rats treated with SCE significantly (p < 0.05) reduced their bodyweight gain, have lower adipose tissue and liver weight, lower leptin level and increased lipolysis rate although no significant effect was found in total bodyweights of treated group. Lower glucose level and improved state of fatty liver was also noted in SCE treated group. The observed anti-obesity effects are most likely the due to lipolysis. Conclusion: SCE may, at least in part, be attributed to the anti-obesity effects found on treated DIO rats

Social integration as catalyst for people's prosperity

In a nation-state, the aspect of unity among the people is important. Unity can define the political, economic and social stability. As a multi-racial country, Malaysia is a unique and special nation. Malaysia is regarded as an ideal country, a peaceful and happy country inhabited by various races and religions by other countries in the world. Due to its multi-racial status, it can’t be denied that Malaysia faces some problems in sustaining the harmonious people. Various policies were formulated by the Federal Government and the State Government to address racial issues in Malaysia. In this regard, the article seeks to identify the level of social integration of the community in Johor. The findings show that the state of Johorian integrity is at a good level that is projected to an excellent level. In addition, the findings show that some elements need to be emphasized in empowering social integration in the state of Johor to avoid inter-racial tensions, especially in relation to the Rukun Negara that is not understood and practiced in a day-to-day life. The implication of this study is that social integration between the peoples is actually a catalyst for the welfare and at the same time improve the quality of life of the people of Johor. Hence, it is proposed that the Federal Government in collaboration with the State Government of Johor formulate various inclusive policies and have a close relationship with the peopl

Faktor kejayaan Pemikiran Lean dan pencapaian operasi di sektor perkhidmatan

Dalam persaingan globalisasi, sektor perkhidmatan harus memberi perhatian dalam memenuhi permintaan pengguna yang memerlukan perkhidmatan yang berkualiti dengan kos yang lebih rendah. Penggunaan amalan penambahbaikan kualiti seperti Lean mampu membaiki pengoperasian organisasi bagi mencapai matlamat tersebut. Penggunaan Lean di sektor perkhidmatan lebih dikenali dengan terma Pemikiran Lean (Lean Thinking) kerana penambahbaikan pengoperasian yang dilakukan adalah berteraskan lima prinsip dalam Pemikiran Lean. Oleh itu, kajian ini dilakukan untuk menguji adakah penggunaan Pemikiran Lean di beberapa buah hospital awam dan swasta di Malaysia dapat membantu pencapaian operasi. Selain itu, kajian ini juga bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti faktor dalaman dan luaran penting yang dapat menyumbang kepada kejayaan Pemikiran Lean di sektor perkhidmatan. Dalam kajian ini, pendekatan model Resource-based View digunakan sebagai teori dasar untuk mengenal pasti faktor dalaman yang berorientasikan pekerja dalam mempengaruhi kejayaan Pemikiran Lean. Faktor dalaman tersebut pula dibahagikan kepada faktor umum dan faktor spesifik. Faktor umum yang dimaksudkan ialah faktor pengurusan atasan, latihan dan pembelajaran, komunikasi dan penglibatan pekerja. Manakala, faktor spesifiknya ialah faktor pembangunan pemikiran. Dalam kajian ini faktor luaran iaitu faktor campur tangan kerajaan turut diuji kerana hospital awam adalah sangat terikat dengan polisi kerajaan. Data dianalisis menggunakan pendekatan Partial Least Squares (PLS). Hasil kajian menunjukkan faktor dalaman sahaja (faktor umum dan faktor spesifik) yang mempunyai pengaruh yang signifikan ke atas pencapaian operasi. Manakala, faktor luaran iaitu campur tangan kerajaan tidak mempengaruhi kejayaan amalan Pemikiran Lean di hospital awam dan swasta di Malaysia. Hasil kajian ini adalah selari dengan pendapat penyelidik terdahulu bahawa perkara asas yang boleh menggerakkan amalan penambahbaikan kualiti harus bermula dari kekuatan dalaman sesebuah organisasi. Penemuan ini adalah maklumat penting sebagai garis panduan kepada pengamal supaya mengutamakan faktor yang berorientasikan pekerja demi meningkatkan pencapaian operasi melalui Pemikiran Lean

Antioxidant and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) autolysates.

The present study investigated antioxidant and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of cocoa autolysates. After removal of cocoa fat, alkaloids and polyphenols, the remaining proteinous powder was autolyzed at pH 3.5 and 5.2. At similar concentrations, autolysates produced at pH 3.5 indicated the highest reducing power and ACE inhibition activity. However, those generated at pH 5.2 showed the highest antioxidant activity based on β-carotene bleaching assay. The results displayed a dose-dependent trend. Based on amino acids composition, slight differences were detected between autolysates, and as it was found, they were rich in hydrophobic amino acids. Qualitative and quantitative tests were applied to assure that the results from the assays were not due to the polyphenols of cocoa autolysates. Based on the results no polyphenols could be detected from cocoa autolysates. It can be indicated that among other useful substances of cocoa, its peptides and amino acids could contribute to its health-promoting properties. Furthermore, these bioactive substances can be exploited into functional foods or used as a source of nutraceuticals

Composite group of explicit Runge-Kutta methods

In this paper,the composite groups of Runge-Kutta (RK) method are proposed. The composite group of RK method of third and second order, RK3(2) and fourth and third order RK4(3) base on classical Runge-Kutta method are derived. The proposed methods are two-step in nature and have less number of function evaluations compared to the existing Runge-Kutta method. The order conditions up to order four are obtained using rooted trees and composite rule introduced by J. C Butcher. The stability regions of RK3(2) and RK4(3) methods are presented and initial value problems of first order ordinary differential equations are carried out. Numerical results are compared with existing Runge-Kutta method