Szilard-Chalmers recoil studies in synthetic faujasite

Imperial Users onl

Removal of Sulfur-containing Compounds from Crude Oil Model Using Phosphate Based Ionic Liquid

The objective of the project is to determine the sulphur-compounds (thiophene and benzopthiophene) removal efficiency of selected ionic liquids ([EMIM] [DEP]) from crude oil model (dodecane). [EMM] [DEP] can be synthesis via one-pot method with high yield, easy for purification and low cost. [EMIM] [DEP] also proved to be effectively removing the sulfur compounds compared to conventional method, hydrodesulfurization (HDS). The preparation of [EMIM] [DEP] was carried out in the laboratory starting from the purification of 1-methylimidazole till drying the ionic liquid. The experiment went well and the ionic liquid seems to be successfully made based on the color that produced (light red). Then, [EMIM] [DEP] has been washed with diethyl ether as solvent for 2-3 times before proceeding with the drying process using rotary evaporator. After that, [EMIM] [DEP] was ready to be tested its efficiency to extract sulfur compound (thiophene and benzothiophene)from model oil. Two categories of model oil was prepared: 1) Model oil containing some amount of thiophene (2%, 4% and 6%) and 2) Model oil containing some amount of benzothiophene (2%, 4% and 6%). The extraction results seem promising to be commercialized since Kn values for each sample ranging from 0.4000 to 0.4400 which are quite high.

Qualified audit reports of local authorities in the northern states of Malaysia

The reliability of information presented in the financial reports of local authorities is of utmost importance to enable the public to measure their performance in terms of efficiency and effectiveness in using public resources. The task to provide such an assurance lies with the Auditor General, who has been entrusted to enforce the auditing compliance regulations. A certificate in the form of “unqualified,” “qualified,” “adverse,” or “disclaimer” accompanied by a report on the financial affairs of the local authorities concerned will be issued after the Auditor General completes the audit of the local authorities’ financial statements. Our study on 14 local authorities comprising municipal and district councils in the Malaysian States of Perlis, Kedah and Penang found that the Qualified Certificate is the common type of audit certificate issued to the local authorities concerned during the period 1997-2001(inclusive of both years). Discrepancies in “Fixed Assets Register” ranked first among the audit incidents that led towards non-compliance to the audit procedures. This was followed by discrepancies in “Other Receivables” and “Cash Flow Statements” which ranked second and third positions respectively. Our finding also shows that size does not grant any advantage to the bigger local authority in reducing the number of audit incidents

Implikasi Inflasi dan Kadar Pertukaran Asing Terhadap Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Bagi Negara Malaysia, Brunei, Singapura, dan Indonesia.

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk melihat dan membincangkan beberapa objektif penting di antaranya untuk mengetahui Implikasi kadar inflasi dan kadar pertukaran asing terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi bagi negara Malaysia, Brunei, Singapura, dan Indonesia. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat secara empirik pengaruh kenaikan harga iaitu inflasi dan kadar pertukaran asing terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi. Kajian ini menggunakan data tahunan dari 1980-2013. Ia melibatkan pembolehubah bersandar iaitu Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) dan dua pembolehubah tidak bersandar iaitu inflasi,dan kadar pertukaran asing. Menariknya dapatan kajian mendapati implikasi inflasi dan kadar pertukaran asing terhadap pertumbuhan ekonomi berbeza di sesetengah negara membuktikan secara statistik wujudnya hubungan antara inflasi dan kadar pertukaran asing bagi sesetengah negara dan tidak bagi sesetengah negara

Knowledge and preferences among independent smallholders in adopting Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO): case of Melaka / Syed Ammar Ashraff Syed Mohammad Nasser

Nowadays, the current issue in oil palm plantation management is how to ensure the sustainability production of palm oil product without neglect of environmental and future concern. This study is focus on independent smallholders which is 16.9% which play prominent contribution in Malaysian palm oil industry. In order to address these issues is by adoption of Malaysia Sustainability Palm Oil (MSPO) by independent smallholders. Regarding that matter, these study aim to estimate knowledge among smallholders in adopting MSPO. Besides, this survey is to determine smallholder’s preferences that influencing them to adopt sustainability certification (ISCC, RSPO, MSPO). This study also is to determine the most dominant factor that influences adoption of MSPO. Total respondent of this research is 45 respondents which is independent smallholders and conducted in 2 different regions in Melaka which is Machap and Sungai Rambai. Based on results, shows that relationship between knowledge and adoption of MSPO among independent smallholders is strong. Relationship between preferences and adoption of MSPO among independent smallholders also shows a strong relationship

Household Decision-making under Threat of Violence: A Micro Level Study in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh

We analyze rural household livelihood and children’s educational investment decisions in a post-conflict setting located in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. The study represents a contribution to the microeconomic analysis of conflict. Another innovation of the paper lies in the fact that we employ information about subjective perceptions of violent experiences, which is in turn used to explain household economic decision making. Heightened subjective perceptions of violence lower consumption expenditure, but it can raise land use intensity, and more risky mixed crop cultivation. In some case experiences of displacement and other violence raises the likelihood of households sending children to school. This indicates that a specific postconflict ‘phoenix’ factor may be in operation, even without substantial infrastructure reconstruction. Also, the trauma emanating from actual past experiences combined with current high perceptions of risk of violence after an imperfect accord ending a lowintensity conflict may make people bolder and more risk taking in order to enhance their long-term future. We, therefore, also make a contribution to the literature on a non-linear relationship between violence and the temporal patterning of livelihood decision-making.