Health risk assessment after exposure to aluminium in drinking water between two different villages.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Mukim Parit Lubok (MPL) and Parit Raja (PR), Batu Pahat, Malaysia. The main objective of this study was to determine the aluminium concentration in drinking water and to perform health risk assessment prediction among respondents from these two residential areas. A total of 100 respondents were selected from the study areas based on inclusive and exclusive criteria. Two duplicates of treated water samples were taken from each respondent’s house using 200mL high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles and 0.4 mL (69%) pure concentrated nitric acid were added as a preservative. Aluminium concentrations were analyzed using a Lambda 25 UV/V spectrophotometer. The result showed that aluminium concentration in drinking water from MPL was 0.18 ± 0.022 mg/L and 0.22 ± 0.044 mg/L for PR. Statistical analysis showed that 14 (28%) water samples collected from MPL and 35 (70%) from PR recorded concentration of aluminium above the standard limit set by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia for drinking water guideline (0.2 mg/L). The mean value of Chronic Daily Intake (CDI) of aluminium in drinking water from PR (0.00707 mg/kg/day) was significantly higher compared to MPL (0.00164 mg/kg/day). Hazard Index (HI) calculation showed that all respondents had “HI” of less than 1. In conclusion, there was an unlikely potential for adverse health effects from aluminium intake in drinking water from both study areas. However, it was necessary for some actions to be taken in order to reduce aluminium levels found in drinking water for both locations

Design and development of Ni0.75Zn0.25Fe2O4/MWCNT microstrip patch antenna (MPA) for ISM band spectrum applications

This research paper represents the design and development of a microstrip patch antenna (MPA) for the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band spectrum applications. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the performance of the MPA design using new engineering materials (Ni0.75Zn0.25Fe2O4/MWCNT) synthesized through chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method by utilizing the use of waste cooking oil (WCO) as a carbon source which acts as a printed radiating patch in order to replace a copper or gold (conventional) radiating patch in previous literature. The proposed antenna is fabricated on kapton substrate with dielectric constant, εr = 3.4 and loss tangent, tan δ = 0.004. The conducting patch is Ni0.75Zn0.25Fe2O4/MWCNT and ground antenna material is copper. The results demonstrate that the antenna is capable to comprehend return loss (RL) of – 24.03 dB at frequency of 2.43 GHz with bandwidth of 1.00 GHz and voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of 1.14. The antenna has overall dimensions of 33.60 × 41.74 × 0.025 mm3

Extending ETL framework using service oriented architecture

Extraction, Transformation and Loading (ETL) represent a big portion of a data warehouse project. Complexity of components extensibility is a main problem in the ETL area, because ETL components are tightly-coupled to each others in the current ETL framework.The missing extensibility feature causes impediments to add new components to the current ETL framework; to meet special business needs.This paper shows how to restructure the current ETL framework based on Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) to be easier to extend.This restructuring solution distributes the ETL into interoperable components. The distribution of Extraction, Transformation and Loading components while keeping interoperability amongst them; can be achieved by SOA.A Classified-Fragmentation component to enhance the report generation speed is added to the new framework; as a proof of the extensibility concept.The result of this work is an extensible ETL framework including Classified-Fragmentation component as an extension

Effect of Fe substituted on the monovalent La0.85Ag0.15Mn1-xFexO3 doped manganites: their electromagnetic and microwave properties

New microwave absorber material, La0.85Ag0.15Mn1-xFexO3 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20) monovalent-based manganites with epoxy resin as a binder were prepared to investigate the effect of Iron (Fe) substitution on microwave absorption properties. The La0.85Ag0.15Mn1-xFexO3 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20) manganites were prepared using solid state method. The phase identification investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, showed that all samples were single phase rhombohedral crystal structure. Fe substitution caused increase in room temperature resistivity and decrease in ferromagnetic–paramagnetic transition temperature, TC, indicating changes in carrier concentration and weakening of double exchange mechanism. Microwave reflection loss, RL measurements in the frequency range of 8 GHz to 18 GHz showed the highest reflection loss for x = 0 sample where value of reflection loss of − 57.2 dB at 16.41 GHz with a bandwidth of 2.67 GHz corresponding to reflection loss below − 10 dB was observed. However, Fe substitution produced lower reflection loss values with lowering of matching frequency with an upturn at x = 0.20. Permeability measurements showed real part of magnetic permeability increased but magnetic loss tangent decreased above 13 GHz with increasing Fe. Further analysis showed contribution of eddy current loss for most samples at high frequency region. On the other hand, permittivity measurements showed both real part of permittivity and dielectric loss tangent increased with Fe content at high frequencies indicates Fe substitution enhancing the dielectric loss component thus may dominantly contributes to the microwave absorption in the Fe substituted samples

Influence of temperature on microstructure, structural and ferroelectricity evolution properties with nano and micrometer grain size in multiferroic HoMnO3 ceramics

The influence of temperature on microstructural, structural and ferroelectric evolution properties of multiferroic holmium manganese oxide (HoMnO3) ceramics were investigated. HoMnO3 ceramics were synthesized using a mechanochemical reaction of Ho2O3 and Mn2O3 powders in a high energy ball milling machine. The powder were sintered from 600 to 1250 °C with 50 °C increments. The results shows the microstructural, structural and ferroelectric hysteresis loop were observed to be dependent on sintering temperatures. The XRD characterization suggests an improvement of crystallinity with increasing sintering temperature. The hexagonal HoMnO3 were observed at temperature ≥1200 °C with the grain size of around 1600 nm. SEM micrographs showed larger grain size as the sintering temperature increased. The SEM results revealed a transformation of crystal structure occurs from orthorhombic to hexagonal at larger grain size regime. Polarization P—electric field E ferroelectric properties were observed to be enhanced with the increase of grain size through sintering temperature. The ferroelectric behavior was observed to change with the change of microstructure along with the structure transformation from orthorhombic to hexagonal. A complete systematic studies of the micron-nanometer grain size on microstructure-properties evolution of HoMnO3 multiferrroic ceramics is higlighted

Leakage identification based on hydraulic transient analysis

Due to the ever-increasing degree of water loss, researchers and water utility corporations are becoming increasingly concerned about water leakage control. The purpose of this paper is to apply Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) and Synchrosqueezed Wavelet Transforms (SWT) as signal processing to locate leaks in pipelines. The objective of this study is related with to investigate leakage detection and signal processing methods, as well as to use them to detect and locate leaks. This paper explains how to run an experiment to visualize the most common types of leakage in a pipeline system. The experiment was set up that include a specific component of the piping system and leakage attached to it. This experimental test rig also attached with pressure sensor at the top of the solenoid valve. The piezoelectric pressure sensor is used in this experiment. The findings show that the method is superior to current signal processing methods for the conditions used. The recommendation is that research can be extended by running field test in order to observe the efficiency of the method used

Comparison of popular e-government implementation models

E-government implementation has become a priority in many countries around the world. This phenomenon has further grown in the developing countries as it could improve the quality of services, increase the economic competitiveness and enhance transparency between the government and the public. Therefore, many governments are widely supporting the electronic public services in order to enable their citizens and the businesses to make most of full transactions within the government via electronic channels. There are different types of e-government implementation models that have been proposed to guide the development process. However, most of these models have various conflicting stages and focus on different critical factors. The lack of consensus on how many stages that should be included in e-government model requires a thorough investigation. This paper reviews five different e-government models and presents four main comprehensive stages that are important to develop successful infrastructures and applications for electronic government

Co–Ti- and Mn–Ti-substituted barium ferrite for electromagnetic property tuning and enhanced microwave absorption synthesized via mechanical alloying

Substituted barium hexaferrite nanoparticles with nominal composition of BaCo1.0Ti1.0Fe10O19 and BaMn0.8Ti0.8Fe10.4O19 were synthesized by high energy ball milling (HEBM). The effects of Co–Ti and Mn–Ti substitution on their microstructure, electromagnetic properties, and microwave absorptive behavior were analyzed. The samples were structurally characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The M-H loops of the composites were determined with a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and the interaction with the microwave radiation in the range of 8–18 GHz of the nanocomposites dispersed in epoxy resin was measured with a vector network analyzer (VNA). This study suggests that by controlling the grain size and different elements of substitution would give a decrease in coercivity and enhanced values of complex permittivity in order to improve microwave absorption. The dielectric constant and loss were enhanced in comparison to the permeability constant and loss over the entire frequency range. Finally, microwave measurement showed that the substituted barium hexaferrite sample with Co–Ti and Mn–Ti could be used as an efficient microwave absorption material with an appropriate absorption at −31.27 and −26.73 dB, respectively. The predicted absorption and reflection loss demonstrates that Co–Ti and Mn–Ti substitution gives low reflectivity at microwave frequency and is a good candidate for electromagnetic materials for radar wave applications

Development of an indoor air quality checklist for risk assessment of indoor air pollutants by semiquantitative score in nonindustrial workplaces

Background: To meet the current diversified health needs in workplaces, especially in nonindustrial workplaces in developing countries, an indoor air quality (IAQ) component of a participatory occupational safety and health survey should be included. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and suggest a multidisciplinary, integrated IAQ checklist for evaluating the health risk of building occupants. This IAQ checklist proposed to support employers, workers, and assessors in understanding a wide range of important elements in the indoor air environment to promote awareness in nonindustrial workplaces. Methods: The general structure of and specific items in the IAQ checklist were discussed in a focus group meeting with IAQ assessors based upon the result of a literature review, previous industrial code of practice, and previous interviews with company employers and workers. Results: For practicality and validity, several sessions were held to elicit the opinions of company members, and, as a result, modifications were made. The newly developed IAQ checklist was finally formulated, consisting of seven core areas, nine technical areas, and 71 essential items. Each item was linked to a suitable section in the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality published by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health. Conclusion: Combined usage of an IAQ checklist with the information from the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality would provide easily comprehensible information and practical support. Intervention and evaluation studies using this newly developed IAQ checklist will clarify the effectiveness of a new approach in evaluating the risk of indoor air pollutants in the workplace

Comparison of distributed technologies for defining a distributable and interoperable ETL framework

Extraction, Transformation and Loading (ETL) are major functionalities in data warehousing. Lack of component distribution and interoperability are the main problems in the ETL area, because ETL components are tightly-coupled in the traditional ETL framework. This paper explores and discusses five popular distributed technologies for the purpose of highlighting the best technology that is capable of overcoming the distribution and interoperability gaps of the traditional ETL framework. Based on the comparison of distributed technologies discussed in this paper, several benefits can be obtained when SOA is used in redefining the ETL framework such as: distribution, interoperability, reusability, portability, and compatibility with legacy systems. These advantages and other SOA specifications are discussed in this paper