Preparation and characterization of amine functionalized graphene oxide with water soluble quantum dots for sensing material

Nanocomposite material has been prepared comprises of amine functionalized graphene oxide (NH2-GO) incorporation with water solube CdS Quantum dots nanoparticle to form a new composite material (NH2-GO/QDs). This composite mixture shows highly homogenous without precipitation and have been characterize by using Raman, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and the scan electron microscopy (SEM-EDX). Kinetic investigation based on DNA hybridization by cyclic voltammetry shows modified electrode able to achieve high hybridization rate can be used as electrochemical biosensor platform

Electrodeposition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/reduced graphene oxide/manganese dioxide for simultaneous detection of uric acid, dopamine and ascorbic acid

A simple and sensitive sensor of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/reduced graphene oxide/manganese dioxide modified glassy carbon electrode (PrGO/MnO2) was fabricated via cyclic voltammetry (CV) for simultaneous detection of uric acid (UA), dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA). The PrGO/MnO2 composite film possessed excellent electrocatalytic rate and high selectivity towards the oxidation of UA, DA and AA in 0.1 M PBS (pH 6.0). The peak potential separation (∆Ep) of AA-DA, AA-UA and DA-UA were 166, 312 and 146 mV, respectively. The detection limits of 1.00, 0.02 and 0.05 μM with a linear response of 1–800, 0.03–45 and 0.3–80 μM were obtained for AA, DA and UA, respectively. This sensor also showed an excellent stability (reproducibility and repeatability)

Corporate Social Responsibility, Shariah-Compliance, and Earnings Quality

This study examines the effect of two potential sources of ethical principles on earnings quality: corporate social responsibility (CSR) and membership in a Shariah index. We define membership in a Shariah index as the adherence to an ethical code that relates to Islam. Our sample comprises firms in ten European Union countries for the period from 2003 to 2013. The empirical results show that firms with a high degree of CSR are less likely to manage earnings. In contrast, membership in a Shariah index leads to earnings manipulation. Our results are robust after using several alternative quality metrics for earnings. Furthermore, our empirical results indicate that highly rated CSR firms that are not Shariah-compliant are less likely to engage in earnings manipulation. Further, institutional factors are also important in determining the link between CSR, Shariah-compliance, and the quality of financial reporting

Community activities and the impacts on the environment at Krau Wildlife Reserve, Malaysia / Che Bon Ahmad, Jamalunlaili Abdullah and Jasmee Jaafar

Protected Areas (PAs) are signißcantfor ecosystem and communities. Studies suggested that land use activities carried out by the community surrounding the PAs could increase the pressure to the latter. Thus, this study is to identify the land use activities carried out by them, and to ascertain its spatial impact towards KWR. This study chooses a RS techniques and ground verißcation using GPS. 7he ßndings conßrm that there are land use activities performed by the communities, mostly on flat and less at hilly and undulating areas. Large scale plantations and encroachment are the major impact on the KWR

Buffer zone concept and its potential implementation in Tasek Bera / Che Bon Ahmad, Jamalunlaili Abdullah and Jasmee Jaafar

Tasek Bera (TB), one of the Protected Areas (PA) in Malaysia is an important site for natural ecosystem and community’s life. Previous studies suggested that the activities around the Pas gave a great impact to the latter. Thus, the implementation and management of the surrounding areas – Buffer Zones (BZ) are necessary to safeguard the PAs. This study interviewed in- depth, six stakeholders of TB and the adjacent areas. Results indicated that although all stakeholders agreed on the overall concept and the importance of the BZs, there are disagreement in term of threats and opportunities derived from the potential implementation of it

Bio-potential of fermented fruits waste solutions on in vitro seed germination and regeneration of Lycium barbarum and Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk.

There are many synthetic growth media for plant tissue culture available in the market such as Murashige and Skoog (MS) Medium, Woody Plant Medium (WPM), Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) Medium and Gamborg’s B-5 Medium. The aim of this study was to substitute the synthetic media used in the plant tissue culture by organic additives which are pineapple, banana, papaya, calamansi lime, kaffir lime and key lime peels. Two formulated fermented fruits waste solutions composed of these organic additives were prepared in different concentrations (Formula A- calamansi lime, kaffir lime, and key lime peel; Formula B -banana, pineapple, and papaya peels) to study their effects on in vitro seed germination and regeneration of Lycium barbarum and Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk. Statistical results showed that they were significantly different in interaction effects (p<0.05) in promoting the plant growth in the formulated media as compared to control medium determined by ANOVA test. Application of this formulated fermented fruits waste solutions should be considered since it is found to be responsive in in vitro seed germination and regeneration of L. barbarum and A. malaccensis Lamk and will potentially minimize the operational cost

Isolated Magnetic Dipole MIMO Antenna with Linear Port Configuration for Wireless Applications

This paper is presenting preliminary research to design Isolated Magnetic Dipole MIMO Antenna for wireless application. Isolated Magnetic Dipole (IMD) structure is one of the unique geometries that offers compact and low damaging electrical current at the ground surface. However, less attention in discussing design the MIMO antenna using IMD structure. The two elements MIMO antenna using IMD with linear port configuration has constructed at 2.4 GHz. Then simulated and analyzed to validate the feasibility of the IMD-MIMO antenna. The simulation and analysis cover S-Parameters, radiation, Gain, Correlation coefficient, and diversity gain. In addition, simple Semi-circle structure etched on the ground layer to improve the isolation of MIMO antenna. From the simulation results, the IMD-MIMO antenna has better results and highly recommended for designing compact MIMO antenna

Gender and usage of instagram / Nurul Atiqah Mohd Azlan, Zaridah Abdullah and Jalilah Jaafar Sidek.

Social media plays such an important role in modern society that it has become an important aspect in one’s lifestyle, as well as changed the manner in which people interact and do things on a daily basis. Given rapid advancement in social media and communication technology, it is no surprise that social networking has become a key method of communication in contemporary society. A key mobile application to note is Instagram, which is widely used for personal and business purposes. In this study, quantitative method was adopted by means of a survey to elicit gender differences in the usage of Instagram for 150 Malaysian teenagers. It serves to identify gender preferences, as well as gratifications sought when using Instagram. Results indicate that the most gratification sought after by the respondents were affective needs, followed by personal and cognitive needs. There are no significant differences when it comes to personal gratifications for using Instagram between males and females in order to fulfil all of their needs. In a conclusion, although uses and gratifications theory is and old theory, it is still relevant to explain the reason people use or choose any type of media they believe are able to satisfy their needs especially with the existence of the social media