43 research outputs found

    Implementing Aproiri Algorithm for Predicting Result Analysis

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    University or Higher Learning Institution is aplatform to train students in specific domain area that willbecome an asset for a country. One of the critical issues inUniversity is to avoid dropout students. Educational DataMining (EDM) is an emergent discipline in developing methodsto explore the unique types of data from the educationalcontext. One of the techniques applied in EDM is an AssociationRules (AR) which is to find a pattern of one element influencingother element. In this paper, AR technique has been utilized topredict students’ results based on a group of the previousstudents results. Clustering method has been used to classify thespecific subject category. Finally, a system known as ResultPrediction System (REPS) has been developed to performautomatically the AR analysis on the academic data using PHPand MYSQL databases

    Development of Asymmetric Low Pressure Reverse Osmosis-Surfactants Membrane: Effect of Surfactant Types and Concentration

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    The effect of surfactants that are cationic (Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)), anionic (Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS)) and non-ionic (Triton X-100) on performance, morphologies and molecular orientation of Polysulfone (PSF) low pressure reverse osmosis (LPRO) membrane were addressed. The experimental data showed that the increasing of 0.5 wt% in surfactant concentration produced higher pure water permeation (PWP) and flux. At 2.5 wt% of SDS, the LPRO membranes achieved the highest PWP of about  64.42 L/m2 × h while 3.0 wt% of CTAB demonstrated the highest flux of 55.28 L/m2 × h. Analysis from morphological results foundthat the optimal performance at 89.6 % rejection was produced by the membrane with 2 wt% SDS which is a good promoter for the fine morphological structures of the membrane, thus producing fine spectrum of molecular orientation factor

    The Correlation Between Tool Wear and Vibration Signals from Piezoelectric in End Milling of AISI P20+NI / Nurul Hidayah Md Tahir...[et al.]

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    This paper presents, the relationship between the flank wear of a carbide cutting tool and the vibration signal under various cutting conditions during the end milling of AISI P20. AISI P20 steels are typically used for making plastic injection mold, die extrusion, blow molding and various other components. The tests were conducted under various combinations of the cutting speed (200 and 300 m/min) and feed rate (0.1 and 0.2 mm/tooth), whilst the depth of cut is kept constant at 1 mm. The vibrations due to the flank wear were measured using piezoelectric sensors embedded within an integrated rotating dynamometer. The amplitude of the vibrations increased with increasing flank wear. The experimental results showed that the amplitude of the vibration signals increased due to the progression of the flank wear as well as with an increase as the cutting speed

    Fruiting-body-base flour from an oyster mushroom – a waste source of antioxidative flour for developing potential functional cookies and steamed-bun

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    In a commercial oyster mushroom farm, fruiting body base (FBB) was not harvested compared to the common cap and stem of the fruiting body parts, and thus remained as waste. In the present study, unused FBB was powdered and subjected to proximate analysis as floured FBB (FFBB). FFBB was found to contain 71.2% carbohydrate, 8.93% moisture, 7.18% fibre, 5.72% ash, 5.57% protein, and 1.4% fat, while raw-FBB (RFBB) contained 7.57% carbohydrate, 84.4% moisture, 5.17% fibre, 5.72% ash, 1.54% protein, and 0.85% fat. The high carbohydrate content of FFBB was subjected to hot-water extraction and yielded 7.40 g of FFBB polysaccharide (FFBBP). Total phenolic content (TPC) of FFBBP contained 1.80 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g, exhibiting the reducing activity of 1.74 mM Fe(II)/g by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, and reduced the stable 2,2’-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate radical forms at IC50 of 25.08 mg/mL, which was comparable with other parts of oyster mushroom species. Different percentages of FFBB mixtures were utilized in the production of cookies (10% and 20%) and steamed buns (10%, 20% and 30%). Thirty-seven panellists were selected for sensory testing, which showed that 10% of FFBB in a steamed bun was more acceptable than 30% of FFBB, while the overall acceptance of cookies with 10% FBB was insignificant (p > 0.05) but 20% FFBB in cookies was significantly different from control (p < 0.05). This study indicates that potential value of FFBB as an economical antioxidative flour in the development of functional foods

    Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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    BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

    Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

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    Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

    Analysis of organophosphorus pesticides in vegetable samples by hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-electron capture detection.

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    A method based on hollow fibre liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME) coupled with gas chromatography electron capture detection (GC-ECD) has been developed for the determination of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) (chlorpyrifos and profenofos) in vegetable samples. In this method, a microsyringe needle with 1.5 cm polypropylene hollow fibre containing a volume of organic acceptor phase (n-dodecane) was immersed in an aqueous donor solution, and at the completion of extraction, the acceptor phase was withdrawn and transferred to GC-ECD for analysis. The effects of extraction solvent, volume of acceptor phase, and volume of donor phase were investigated. The optimized conditions for HF-LPME of the selected OPPs were n-dodecane as organic solvent, 11 mL of donor phase, and 3 µL of acceptor phase. The correlation coefficient (r2) of the calibration curves ranged from 0.998 to 0.999. The limits of detection (LOD) were between 0.099 and 0.128 µg/mL. The developed method provided excellent RSDs ranging from 0.54% to 8.00% and analyte recoveries ranging from 60.8% to 88.0%. This method was applied successfully for determination of organophosphorus pesticides in selected vegetables

    Physicomechanical properties of rice husk/coco peat reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blend composites

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    Utilizing agro-waste material such as rice husk (RH) and coco peat (CP) reinforced with thermoplastic resin to produce low-cost green composites is a fascinating discovery. In this study, the effectiveness of these blended biocomposites was evaluated for their physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Initially, the samples were fabricated by using a combination of melt blend internal mixer and injection molding techniques. Increasing in RH content increased the coupons density. However, it reduced the water vapor kinetics sorption of the biocomposite. Moisture absorption studies disclosed that water uptake was significantly increased with the increase of coco peat (CP) filler. It showed that the mechanical properties, including tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and impact strength of the 15% RH—5% CP reinforced acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), gave the highest value. Results also revealed that all RH/CP filled composites exhibited a brittle fracture manner. Observation on the tensile morphology surfaces by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) affirmed the above finding to be satisfactory. Therefore, it can be concluded that blend-agriculture waste reinforced ABS biocomposite can be exploited as a biodegradable material for short life engineering application where good mechanical and thermal properties are paramount

    The impact of implementing Imam al-Ghazali’s perception on self-monitoring (Muraqabah)on the development of healthy emotions among marine students during the pre-sea training

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    Self-monitoring is considered as a crucial step in mastering self-regulation skill, which brings a person closer to achievement set up earlier. This study aims to investigate the implementation of self-monitoring in the light of Imam al-Ghazali’s perception, known as muraqabah and to explore the impact of implementing muraqabah on the development of healthy emotions. The number of 376 students were randomly selected from five public and private higher institutions that offering Marine-related courses. The students were all Muslims and have completed the pre-sea training. A set of questionnaire was developed from items selected through experts’ consensus of opinion (three-round modified Delphi method). The data collected were analysed descriptively (median and inter-quartile range) and inferentially (Spearman rhocorrelation analysis) using SPSS version 24. The study found that the level of muraqabah during the pre-sea training and the level of healthy emotions after completing the pre-sea training were both high (Med=4.00, JI==1.00). All items of muraqabah during the planning phase and the development of healthy emotions after the pre-sea training were positively and moderately correlated (rs(376)=.459, p<.001). The result shows that the implementation of muraqabah before the students implement the strategy to succeed the pre-sea training increases the development of healthy emotions after the students returned from the pre-sea training. It also shows that self-monitoring which enhances through religious valueshelps students to become emotionally healthy, thus, it develops healthy image about the world of seafaring

    Thermal performance of waste materials as aggregate replacement in asphalt pavement

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    The high surface temperature of the conventional asphalt pavement due to high solar energy absorption could contribute to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon. Concurrent with this phenomenon, rapid urbanization and industrial development have led to a large quantity of waste products available for disposal or recycling. Therefore, this study investigates the thermal performance of selected waste materials that could potentially be used as aggregate in asphalt pavement to combat the problem of increased pavement surface temperature. A number of waste materials were selected for the thermal performance measurement and compared to granite as conventional aggregate. The cylindrical and slab samples of AC14 dense graded asphalt were prepared for the different selected aggregate types. The samples were then measured for solar reflectance using Spectroradiometer. In addition, the surface and internal temperature profiles of the samples were monitored using infrared camera and thermocouples, respectively, in exposed environments. Based on the results, it is possible to use some of the waste materials as an aggregate replacement in order to reduce the UHI impact
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