Comparison of normal incident sound absorption coefficient of direct piercing carved wood panel for circular, geometry and floral design

Direct Piercing Carved Wood Panel (DPCWP) is among the famous Malay wood carving art in the Malay culture. It is the best example of Malay people’s creativity and masterpiece. In this paper, the comparison of normal incidence sound absorption coefficient, αn (SAC) for three major types of design for the DPCWP is discussed. The simplest form of DPCWP, the circular type, then the geometry and floral types were investigated based on simulation and measurement works using sound intensity method to determine the normal incidence SAC, for 30% and 40% perforation ratios. The simulation work was carried out by using BEASY Acoustic software based on Boundary Element Method (BEM). From the results, there is an identical trend for DPCWP with geometry and floral design from 250 Hz to 4 kHz. At high frequencies (1 kHz to 4 kHz), both design show the tendency of decrement, suggesting that the complexity of the design does affect the average SAC value. However, for circular design, SAC is higher than other design at 1 kHz and shows a similar trend with other design at 2 kHz and 4 kHz for both simulation and measurement result

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

Does environmental knowledge moderate the relationship between household determinants' intention to practice solid waste segregation-at-source? a conceptual paper

Previous research has reported that environmental knowledge plays an important role in enhancing general pro-environmental behaviour, as environmental knowledge appears to be the key indicator for increasing awareness of several pollution promulgations and other natural environmental issues. However, the significant role of environmental knowledge in the intention of households to practise solid waste segregation-at-source is not well understood. This research will, therefore, investigate the influence of environmental knowledge on the intention of households to engage in solid waste segregation-at-source. Further analysis will also be carried out explore the moderating effect of environmental knowledge in the relationship between the households’ attitude and subjective norm (i.e. descriptive norm and injunctive norm) with the intention to practise solid waste segregation-at-source. The findings of this current research are expected to provide an essential opportunity to investigate knowledge gaps, to contribute to the enrichment of existing literature, as well as to provide important insights for local households and Malaysian government agencies to strengthen the sense of responsibility for environmental cleanliness

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◦

Yield and nutritive quality of napier (Pennisetumpurpureum) cultivars as fresh and ensiled fodder

Napier grass is a C4 type tropical grass and commonly used as ruminant feedstuffs due to its promising yield. The preservation of Napier grass is to ensure continuous feed supply for the animals during shortage of forages as well as preserving the quality of the grasses. The study on nutritive quality of fresh and ensiled Napier cultivars was conducted at March 2014 at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia. Four Napier cultivars (Common Napier, Silver Napier, Red Napier and Dwarf Napier) were sown in a randomized complete block design with three replications.The Common, Silver and Red Napier were classified as tall types and Dwarf Napier as short cultivar.Results revealed that Common Napier and Red Napier hadsignificantly higher (P<0.05) dry matter yield (DMY). Both Silver and Dwarf Napier have the lowest DMY (P<0.05) regardless of the grass height. Generally, Dwarf Napier had the highest leaf to stem ratio(3.18) and nutritive value (10% crude protein (CP); 66% in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD); 56% in-vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD)) than tall cultivars. The process of fermentation clearly decreased the nutritive value of Napier cultivars. The ensiling process decreased (P<0.05) neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content (72 to 67%), IVDMD (69 to 61%)and increased (P<0.05) the IVOMD (52 to 58%) and gross energy (16 to 17 MJ/kg).Regardless of the feed types, the CP content of Napier cultivars surpassed 7% of the minimum requirement for rumen microbial sustainability. There were interaction (P<0.05) between cultivars and feed types on CP, potential gas production (A+B), metabolisable energy (ME) and degradation rates (C). The CP content of Common, Red and Dwarf Napier increased numerically due to ensiling process. Nevertheless, the ME content and C value declined gradually after the ensiling process. The compaction during ensiling process could affect the quality of Napier cultivars in particular the IVDMD and the degradation ratesdue to leaching of nutrient.It is concluded that the nutritive value of Napier cultivars were generally decreased due to preservation mechanism. Despite, the CPcontent and total gas production of Common Napier increased significantlyafter ensiled

Effect of circulation flowrate and coolant temperature on progressive freeze concentration of roselle extract

In this research, progressive freeze concentration (PFC) has been applied in concentrating roselle extract. The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of two operating parameters which are the circulation flow rate and coolant temperature on the average freezing rate and average concentration efficiency of roselle extract. The process has been improved in this research as an automated PFC system was implemented to assist in concentrating the roselle extract. Analyses of the results illustrated that with a decrease in coolant temperature and increase in circulation flow rate, the average freezing rate showed an increment in trend. It has been found that average concentration efficiency increased as coolant temperature increased but decreased as circulation flow rate increased. From the analysis, it can be concluded that the highest average freezing rate for the effect of coolant temperature and circulation flow rate is 0.0112 min-1 and 0.25 min-1 at coolant temperature of -14°C and circulation flow rate of 3000 mL/min respectively. As for the average concentration efficiency, the highest value for the effect of coolant temperature and circulation flow rate has been recorded as 0.91 (at -6°C) and 1.02 (at 2200 mL/min) respectively

Sustainability assessment framework: a mini review of assessment concept

Sustainability assessment is viewed as a vital instrument to aid in the shift towards sustainability which is simply an appraisal method which integrates an iterative and pluralistic procedure. Sustainability assessment is viewed as a vital instrument to aid in the shift towards sustainability. Sustainability assessment is a rather complex appraisal technique conducted for supporting decision-making and policy in an extensive environmental, economic and social perspective. Sustainability assessment transcends a technical or scientific evaluation. Sustainability assessment tools are essentially a structured process encompassing different field-specific analytical methods and models. The growth of indicators in numerous fields has influenced sustainability assessment methodologies to a great extent. In general two broad approaches for sustainability can be distinguished, top-down and bottom-up. Despite the abundance and diversified procedures for evaluating sustainability, indicators based assessment is one of the most widely used platform. Many parties feel that the presence of conceptual inconsistencies and the absence of operational definitions have hampered attempts to appraise, let alone achieve, sustainability. Assessing the sustainability assessment schemes in a quantitative manner requires the identification and integration of diverse phenomena or indicators, in a framework consistent with the evolving concept of sustainability. In fact, integration of indicators for sustainability assessment, have been at the forefront of various political, academic and scientific researches. Existing sustainability assessments schemes typically provide interpretation in the form of comparative value analysis where impacts are scored based on pre-set values, utility analysis where impacts are ranked on a uniform scale and weighted, cost-benefit analysis where positive and negative impacts are apportioned to monetary values, multi-criteria analysis where quantitative as well as qualitative impacts are scaled on pre-set criteria or risk assessment where degrees in risk reduction is identified relative to pre-set risk thresholds. Consequently, the paper that follows provides an integrative analysis of existing sustainability assessment approaches. Such review not only offers a very valuable insight on the features of existing sustainability assessment schemes, but also highlighting gaps to a certain extent

Surface Roughness and Grain Size Characterization of Annealing Temperature Effect For Growth Gallium and Tantalum Doped Ba0.5 Sr0.5TiO3Thin Film

Thin films 10 % gallium oxide doped barium strontium titanate (BGST) and 10 % tantalum oxide doped barium strontium titanate (BTST) were prepared on p-type Si (100) substrates using chemical solution deposition (CSD) method with 1.00 M precursor. The films were deposited by spin coating method with spinning speed at 3000 rpm for 30 seconds. The post deposition annealing of the films were carried out in a furnace at 200oC, 240oC, 280oC (low temperature) for 1 hour in oxygen gas atmosphere. The surface roughness and grain size analysis of the grown thin films are described by atomic force microscope (AFM) method at 5000 nm x 5000 nm area. The rms surface roughness BGST thin films at 5000 nm x 5000 nm area are 0.632 nm, 0.564 nm, 0.487 nm for temperature 200oC, 240oC, 280oC, respectively, whereas the grain size (mean diameter) are 238.4 nm, 219.0 nm, 185.1 nm for temperature 200oC, 240oC, 280oC, respectively. In fact, to increase annealing temperature from 200oC to 280oC would result in decreasing the rms roughness and grain size. Therefore, rms roughness and grain size would have the strong correlation annealing temperature. Received: 9 November 2008; Revised: 24 August 2009; Accepted: 25 August 200