Determinants of information technology adoption among Malaysian farm-based enterprises

Information technologies (ITs) have been employed in various fields of human endeavour especially to engender socio-economic development. One key sub-sector in which the adoption of ITs is increasingly becoming critical in Malaysia is the farm-based (agri-based) enterprises. However, previous studies have suggested that a number of factors influences the adoption of ICT by enterprises, especially small and medium firms. This study was prompted by the need to determine the factors that influence the adoption of IT among farm-based enterprises. A pre-test study was conducted with 50 IT-using entrepreneurs selected from five farm-based firms that were selected using systematic random sampling from a population of 500 farm-based entrepreneurs (selected from 50 farm-based firms) in Selangor, Malaysia. The study applied modified Entrepreneurial Event Model (EEM) theory with System Support and Readiness and Perceived Benefits as independent variables, while IT Adoption was the dependent variable. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and factor analyses. The findings revealed that System support and readiness and Perceived benefits are the critical factors that determine IT adoption and that most of the enterprises (M = 3.81, SD = 1.00) adopted basic entrepreneurial ITs while a number of them (M = 3.68, SD = 1.23) adopted advanced entrepreneurial ITs. The limitations of the study include the size of the sample. Recommendations for effective application of IT into practical usage for farm-based enterprises development were included

Mechanical Properties and Morphological Characterization of PLA/Chitosan/Epoxidized Natural Rubber Composites

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/chitosan (CS) natural polymer/epoxidised natural rubber (ENR) composites were successfully prepared through a solution casting method. The morphological characteristics of fabricated composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. The microstructure of PLA/ENR was significantly altered with the addition of CS. SEM analysis of composites fractured surfaces revealed smooth and homogeneous texture and good dispersion of CS. However for 15 wt% CS composites, the phase segregation and poor adhesion between the polymers were observed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed some levels of attractive interaction between CS, PLA, and ENR in the composites. The mechanical properties of composites in terms of tensile strength and tensile modulus were significantly improved with the addition of CS into the matrix while the percent elongation at break decreased. The tensile strength increased up to 5 wt% CS loading for both PLA/CS and PLA/ENR/CS and thereafter decreased while Young’s modulus increased up to 10 wt%. However, when the CS content was increased to 15 wt%, the tensile strength and tensile modulus were slightly decreased. These improvements were attributed to good dispersion of CS at the optimum filler levels and attractive interaction between the composites components.</jats:p

Evaluating potential of diatomite as anti clogging agent for porous asphalt mixture

Clogging is a major problem that occurs throughout the service life of porous asphalt due to the open nature of the mixture itself. Diatomite with characteristic of abrasiveness and porous structure seems to have potential in order to remove the clogging materials that mainly consists of soils. This study aims to investigate the effects of diatomite as anti-clogging agent on the permeability rate and strength of porous asphalt. The porous asphalt samples were prepared using Malaysia aggregate gradation and polymer modified bitumen of PG76 was used as the binder. This study focuses on clay as the clogging material at different concentration. A fixed amount of 0.5 g/L diatomite was applied to the porous asphalt samples as an anti-clogging agent prior to clogging cycles. The permeability test and resilient modulus were then conducted at different clogging concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 g/L) and cycles, with and without diatomite. It was found that samples with diatomite have a higher permeability rate compared to those without any application of diatomite after a few clogging cycles. As the clogging cycles increase, the clogging materials have trapped and filled up the voids in the porous asphalt samples and increase the resilient modulus result

Enrichment of antibacterial compound from the stem bark of Stereospermum fimbriatum using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction

Supercritical carbon dioxide (sc-CO2) extraction was carried out on Stereospermum fimbriatum’s stem bark in order to obtain an enriched extract containing the targeted active compound. The recovery of its active compound, C1, was compared with the most active Soxhlet’s extract of dichloromethane. A minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay was done to examine the antibacterial activity of extracts against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The optimum condition for an enriched extract of sc-CO2 to have a maximum recovery of C1 at MIC value of 400 µg/mL was suggested to be operated at 40°C and pressure at 30 MPa, with addition of 6% co-solvent

Relationship Between Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Blood Levels of Epstein-Barr Virus in Children in North-Western Tanzania: A Case Control Study.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL) are common in African children, with endemic Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) being the most common subtype. While the role of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) in endemic BL is known, no data are available about clinical presentations of NHL subtypes and their relationship to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) load in peripheral blood of children in north-western, Tanzania. A matched case control study of NHL subtypes was performed in children under 15 years of age and their respective controls admitted to Bugando Medical Centre, Sengerema and Shirati district designated hospitals in north-western, Tanzania, between September 2010 and April 2011. Peripheral blood samples were collected on Whatman 903 filter papers and EBV DNA levels were estimated by multiplex real-time PCR. Clinical and laboratory data were collected using a structured data collection tool and analysed using chi-square, Fisher and Wilcoxon rank sum tests where appropriate. The association between NHL and detection of EBV in peripheral blood was assessed using conditional logistic regression model and presented as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 35 NHL cases and 70 controls matched for age and sex were enrolled. Of NHLs, 32 had BL with equal distribution between jaw and abdominal tumour, 2 had large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and 1 had NHL-not otherwise specified (NHL-NOS). Central nervous system (CNS) presentation occurred only in 1 BL patient; 19 NHLs had stage I and II of disease. Only 1 NHL was found to be HIV-seropositive. Twenty-one of 35 (60%) NHL and 21 of 70 (30%) controls had detectable EBV in peripheral blood (OR = 4.77, 95% CI 1.71 - 13.33, p = 0.003). In addition, levels of EBV in blood were significantly higher in NHL cases than in controls (p = 0.024). BL is the most common childhood NHL subtype in north-western Tanzania. NHLs are not associated with HIV infection, but are strongly associated with EBV load in peripheral blood. The findings suggest that high levels of EBV in blood might have diagnostic and prognostic relevance in African children

Integrated Personality Profiling Framework Using Traits And Factors Theory For Malaysian HLI Enrolment : A New Approach

Personality profiling is important especially in education and human resource management.Inability to identify individuals’personality may cause misunderstanding of ones potential;and further more, he/she might fail to recognize his/her own career or academic direction.This study aimed to develop an integrated personality framework;using Trait and Factor Theory of Occupational Choice.The completed framework was used as the core concept of integrated profiling instrument,named as Integrated Personality Profiling (i-PRO).The main beneficiary of the completed (i-PRO) will be students, academics and non-academic personnel.The sample for this initial study was 380 students from one Higher Learning Institution (HLI) in Malaysia.The sampling method used was random sampling.The study was done to explore the Holland’s 3-code interest traits among engineering students of the said HLI.One of the developed domain used in this initial study was career interest domain.The Holland’s 3-code typologies for Higher Learning Institution (HLI) respondents are Investigative, Social and Realistic (I, S, R)

Role Of Rf Magnetron Sputtering Poweronoptical And Electrical Properties Of Ito Films On Soda-Lime Glass Substrates

The optical and electrical properties of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films grown on soda-lime glass substrates using a radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering technique were studied as a function of the sputtering RF power. Fixed 100nm thickness of ITO films were deposited on the soda-lime glass substrates at 300°C, using RF powers ranging between 50 to 150W. The optical and electrical properties of the sputtered ITO films were characterized by Ultraviolet–Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Hall Effect Measurement and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). Varying the substrate RF sputtering power affected surface roughness, resistivity and transmittance values

Guidance on noncorticosteroid systemic immunomodulatory therapy in noninfectious uveitis: fundamentals of care for uveitis (focus) initiative

Topic: An international, expert-led consensus initiative to develop systematic, evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of noninfectious uveitis in the era of biologics. Clinical Relevance: The availability of biologic agents for the treatment of human eye disease has altered practice patterns for the management of noninfectious uveitis. Current guidelines are insufficient to assure optimal use of noncorticosteroid systemic immunomodulatory agents. Methods: An international expert steering committee comprising 9 uveitis specialists (including both ophthalmologists and rheumatologists) identified clinical questions and, together with 6 bibliographic fellows trained in uveitis, conducted a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol systematic reviewof the literature (English language studies from January 1996 through June 2016; Medline [OVID], the Central Cochrane library, EMBASE,CINAHL,SCOPUS,BIOSIS, andWeb of Science). Publications included randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective studies with sufficient follow-up, case series with 15 cases or more, peer-reviewed articles, and hand-searched conference abstracts from key conferences. The proposed statements were circulated among 130 international uveitis experts for review.Atotal of 44 globally representativegroupmembersmet in late 2016 to refine these guidelines using a modified Delphi technique and assigned Oxford levels of evidence. Results: In total, 10 questions were addressed resulting in 21 evidence-based guidance statements covering the following topics: when to start noncorticosteroid immunomodulatory therapy, including both biologic and nonbiologic agents; what data to collect before treatment; when to modify or withdraw treatment; how to select agents based on individual efficacy and safety profiles; and evidence in specific uveitic conditions. Shared decision-making, communication among providers and safety monitoring also were addressed as part of the recommendations. Pharmacoeconomic considerations were not addressed. Conclusions: Consensus guidelines were developed based on published literature, expert opinion, and practical experience to bridge the gap between clinical needs and medical evidence to support the treatment of patients with noninfectious uveitis with noncorticosteroid immunomodulatory agents

Characterization of industrial by-products as asphalt paving material

Most of the recent research is focusing on the utilization of industrial by-products in road construction. The intention is not only to mitigate the problem of waste being dumped to the landfills but to encourage their use as construction material without compromising quality and performance of the road. Steel slag and bottom ash are the industrial by-products generated in large quantity by industry. This study investigates the characteristics of steel slag and bottom ash to be utilized as aggregate in asphalt pavement. Both materials were characterized in terms of physical, chemical and morphological characteristics compared to the conventional granite aggregate. The results revealed that both materials have much potential to be used as aggregate in asphalt mix. The bottom ash was observed weaker in terms of strength, but the steel slag was found much stronger than the granite. The morphological structure of bottom ash and steel slag disclosed that these are made up of porous and rough-edged granular particles with slightly higher water absorption