Islamic Law and Sustainable Development Goals

This study aims to analyze Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) prescribed by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) under Islamic Law. This paper is qualitative method of research analyzing SDGs under verses of Holy Qur'an and traditions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This study found that what SDGs ask member states to do has been prescribed in Holy Qur'an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ way back 1400 years ago and demanded by Almighty Allah and the last Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for eradication of poverty, hunger, malnutrition etc. Islamic law prohibits usury, gambling, uncertainty and other illegal activities to protect poor people of the society against rich landlords. Therefore, member states are required to follow SDGs to achieve peace, harmony and economic growth for betterment of humanity which is also a duty under verses of Holy Qur'an and traditions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to achieve success in this world and in the hereafter

Total Quality Management Practices and Technology Transfer in Malaysian Public University

It is widely accepted that the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) as a management philosophy has significantly contributed to good management practice in business organization particularly in the manufacturing and service sectors. The applications of that concepts, techniques and tools have been successfully tailored to non-profit service or government-based organization. In the context of higher education institution, it has been seriously debated by the TQM scholars and academicians on the issue of to what extent TQM can be applied and how relevant its practices are to higher education\u27s core business i.e. teaching and research. Despite having sufficient knowledge and research on TQM implementation in the scope of manufacturing practices and administration-related services, it is hard to find a research on TQM, which focuses on the scope of R&D at a university. This gap has to be filled because the management of research is a critical topic for universities worldwide. For developing countries such as Malaysia the need to have good management practice in R&D is even greater. Without effective research management, the task of becoming significant players in the global knowledge market will become harder. Thus, the first part of this paper will discuss the applicability of TQM and propose a theoretical framework or model of TQM to suit the need of R&D context. The constructs for the TQM framework are based on previous empirical studies and the evaluation criteria of world standard criteria such as MBNQA, EFQM, and QMS ISO 9000. The TQM constructs that will be proposed are leadership, strategic planning, student/stakeholder & industry focus, data & information management, staff management, process & system approach, partnership & resource and continuous improvement. The second part of the paper will discuss the performance indicators of R&D activities particularly in the context of public university. The review of International literatures stressed that the performance of R&D activities have to be measured. The current issue related to research performance at university is the level the research output that can be transferred to the stakeholders. Therefore, this study will use technology transfer framework to measure research performance such as publication, patents, royalty and Spin-off Company. Finally, this paper will conceptually develop a model that would show the relationship between the TQM practices in the area of research and the level of technology transfer

Physical and mechanical properties of Acacia Mangium x Acacia Auriculiformis hybrid (acacia hybrid) and Acacia Mangium Superbulk planted in Sarawak

Recently two new wood materials were introduced in Sarawak, namely Acacia mangium x Acacia auricu/iformis (Acacia hybrid) and Acacia mangium superbulk (A. mangium superbulk) which have desirable characteristics of rapid growth rates and greater resistance to heart rot. Studies of their basic characteristics are important for future utilization. The objectives of this study were to determine the physical and mechanical properties and to compare the properties among A. mangium, A. auriculiformis, A. hybrid and A. mangium superbulk. Acacia trees of six years age were studied and sampled by cutting at dbh, 50%,70% and 90% heights of the clear bole. The basic densities of A. auricuJiformis, A. mangium, A. hybrid and A. mangium superbulk were 636, 464,472 and 334 kg m-3 respectively, and statistically the basic densities of A. hybrid and A. mangium were similar. Volumetric shrinkages for all acacias ranged between 14.39 and 15.99% and the differences were not statistically different Static bending test showed that the modulus of rupture (MOR) of A. 2 auriculiformis was 89 N mm- , A. hybrid 85 N mm-z, A. mangium 78 N mm-2 and A. superbulk 55 N mm-z. For compression parallel to grain, the maximum crushing strength (MCS) of A. hybrid was the highest (62 N mm2), fallowed by A. auriculiformis (59 N mm2), A. mangium (53 N mm-2) and A. mangium superbulk (50 N mm-2). Further analyses revealed that the MOR, MOE and MCS among A. mangium, A. auricu/iformis and A. hybrid were not statistically different. However, the strength properties of A. mangium superbulk were significantly lower compared with A. mangium, A. auriculiformis and A. hybrid. It can be concluded that improvements of Acacia hybrid and A. mangium superbulk are only confined to growth characteristics and heart-rot resistance but not wood properties

A wireless precoding technique for millimetre-wave MIMO system based on SIC-MMSE

A communication method is proposed using Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) precoding and Successive Interference Cancellation (SIC) technique for millimetre-wave multiple-input multiple-output (mm-Wave MIMO) based wireless communication system. The mm-Wave MIMO technology for wireless communication system is the base potential technology for its high data transfer rate followed by data instruction and low power consumption compared to Long-Term Evolution (LTE). The mm-Wave system is already available in indoor hotspot and Wi-Fi backhaul for its high bandwidth availability and potential lead to rate of numerous Gbps/user. But, in mobile wireless communication system this technique is lagging because the channel faces relative orthogonal coordination and multiple node detection problems while rapid movement of nodes (transmitter and receiver) occur. To improve the conventional mm-wave MIMO nodal detection and coordination performance, the system processes data using symbolized error vector technique for linearization. Then the MMSE precoding detection technique improves the link strength by constantly fitting the channel coefficients based on number of independent service antennas (M), Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), Channel Matrix (CM) and mean square errors (MSE). To maintain sequentially encoded user data connectivity and to overcome data loss, SIC method is used in combination with MMSE. MATLAB was used to validate the proposed system performance

Viewboard Implementation Based on Javascript Charts as a Media for Submitting Sales Information on a Green E-Commerce Website Light Cafe

A media that can display information concisely is needed in presenting information effectively and efficiently. Information on the results of the Green Light Cafe sales report can now be easily accessed by top management and staff through the ledger. However, the process of presenting information with ledgers still uses tables, so it is not in line with current technological developments. In this study, 4 (four) methods will be described which are used to overcome 4 (four) problems, as well as 1 (one) solution, namely the implementation of a viewboard with Highcharts charts. The advantage of Green Light Cafe's viewboard is that it can be accessed through the website and mobile, as well as other advantages, namely minimizing the use of paper, so that it can help staff work in registering reports. By applying the graph as a medium for presenting information on the Green Light Cafe viewboard, it causes top management and employees to find out more about sales reports. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of Highcharts graphics is able to improve the quality and overcome the problems found in the Green Light Cafe

Study on Effect of Human Metabolic Rate on Skin Temperature in Office Environment

The motivation of this study is to get better understanding about the real thermal sensation of people in office environment who undertake moderate activities. All measurements were conducted in a climate chamber. In total, fifteen subjects were participated in three kinds of activities, their skin temperatures and thermal sensation were measured. Skin temperatures (eleven locations) were measured using thermocouple sensors. The results showed that the temperature is the one of factors which affect metabolic rate. There is a strong linear relationship between these three tasks of metabolic rate with skin temperature. Furthermore, the results indicate that there was a greater increase thermal sensation when the metabolic rate 1.6

Adaptive control of nonlinear system based on QFT application to 3-DOF flight control system

Research on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) became popular because of remote flight access and cost-effective solution. 3-degree of freedom (3-DOF) unmanned helicopters is one of the popular research UAV, because of its high load carrying capacity with a smaller number of motor and requirement of forethought motor control dynamics. Various control algorithms are investigated and designed for the motion control of the 3DOF helicopter. Three-degree-of-freedom helicopter model configuration presents the same advantages of 3-DOF helicopters along with increased payload capacity, increase stability in hover, manoeuvrability and reduced mechanical complexity. Numerous research institutes have chosen the three-degree-of-freedom as an ideal platform to develop intelligent controllers. In this research paper, we discussed about a hybrid controller that combined with Adaptive and Quantitative Feedback theory (QFT) controller for the 3-DOF helicopter model. Though research on Adaptive and QFT controller are not a new subject, the first successful single Adaptive aircraft flight control systems have been designed for the U.S. Air Force in Wright Laboratories unmanned research vehicle, Lambda [1]. Previously researcher focused on structured uncertainties associated with controller for the flight conditions theoretically. The development of simulationbased design on flight control system response, opened a new dimension for researcher to design physical flight controller for plant parameter uncertainties. At the beginning, our research was to investigates the possibility of developing the QFT combined with Adaptive controller to control a single pitch angle that meets flying quality conditions of automatic flight control. Finally, we successfully designed the hybrid controller that is QFT based adaptive controller for all the three angles

Torrefaction of palm biomass briquettes at different temperature

The climate change has driven towards transformation from the high energy dependence on fossil fuel to inexhaustible renewable energy such as solar, wind, mini hydro and biomass. In Malaysia, abundant of palm biomass residues are produced during the processing of fresh fruit bunch. Therefore it is inevitable to harness these bioenergy sources in order to prevent waste accumulation at adjacent to palm mills. In order to utilize such bioenergy sources and to cope with the fast growing demand of energy, combination technique of densification and torrefaction is one of the potential ways to be practised. In the present study, the physical and combustion properties of torrefied empty fruit bunch (EFB) briquettes were investigated experimentally with constant nitrogen flow rate of 1 l/min, for various torrefaction temperatures (225 °C-300 °C). Before torrefaction process, EFB briquettes were initially produced under controlled condition with compaction pressure of 7 MPa and briquetting temperature of 150 °C. In general, the torrefied EFB briquettes were successfully produced in the present study. The results show that an increase in torrefaction temperature from 225°C to 300℃ causes a significant increase in gross calorific value (from around 17400 kJ/kg to 25000 kJ/kg), fixed carbon content (from 16.2% to 46.2%) and ash content (from 2.4% to 17.2%). On the other hand, relaxed density and volatile matter decrease, from 1017 kg/m3 to 590 kg/m3 and from 73.1% to 29.7%, respectively. As a conclusion, the gross calorific value and fixed carbon content are improved due to torrefaction. In addition, it was found that gross calorific value and moisture content of the torrefied EFB briquettes fulfil the requirement for commercial briquette production as stated by DIN51731 (gross calorific value>17500 kJ/kg and moisture content <10%)

A novel green antenna phase-shift system with data acquisition boards

A novel green phase shifter system is proposed in this research. The system is developed by a combination of reconfigurable beam steering antennas and data acquisition (DAQ) boards. A combination of two reconfigurable beam steering antennas, located side-by-side, forms a spatial configuration structure with a fabricated ‘green’ element plank of rice husk placed in between. The concept of a spatial configuration technique has been ‘mutated’ by shifting the structure of spiral feed line and aperture slots of first beam steering antenna by as much as 45 ◦ . The PIN diode switches connected to the DAQ boards enable the intelligent capability of the spatial antennas. The activation of certain degree radiation patterns of either the first beam steering antenna or the second beam steering antenna depends on the memory of the DAQ boards — Beam Manager. When an intruder comes from the cardinal angles of 0◦/ 360◦, 90◦, 180◦, or 270◦, its range and angles’ location will be automatically detected by the first antenna through the output ports of the 1st DAQ: P1.0, P1.1, P1.2, and P1.3. The second antenna is then activated by the output ports of the 2nd DAQ: P2.0 up to P2.3, to adaptively maneuver the beam towards four different ordinal directions of 45◦, 135◦, 225◦, and 315◦

Experimental Studies on the Effect of Antenna Orientations to the Performance of OFDM-based System

Software-defined radio (SDR) is an emerging and promising high re-configurable platform for rapid prototyping inreal environment applications. It offers both flexibility and low cost to facilitate the development process of agile communication system, such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). Other than modulation and transmission technique like OFDM, antenna orientations play a significant importance in wireless communication. The availabililty of SDR platform like USRP has enabled the empirical evaluation of antenna orientation to the system performance. The performance has been evaluated in terms of throughput and packet error rate. The findings show the antenna orientation affect the system performance significantly