Development of Emulation Network Analyzer Tool for Computer Network Planning

This paper describes the development of Emulation Network Analyzer (ENA) for heterogeneous services in campus environment. The purpose of this paper is to inform this ENA able to plan and predict network performance. For this purpose, our ENA development is differ from others system such as application and hardware network analyzer. This study focuses on the design of emulation network analyzer, user interface design, characteristics, model description, implementation and evaluation. This ENA can provide a useful network architectural solutions and optimization of network resources during preparation, proposal and planning phases. Finally, ENA tool is a good emulation analyzer that can be used in small to medium size networks for campus environment purposes with minimum cost

Sub-pixel technique of remotely sensed data for extracting bamboo areas in Temengor Forest Reserve, Perak, Malaysia

Various approaches can be used to map bamboo in forested areas, including the use of airborne and space-borne remote sensing data. In remote sensing, thematic maps are created from numerical data collected by sensors that measure the amount of reflected energy from different land cover types. These data are then translated into an image by assigning visible colours to the numerical value. Remote sensing technique has been proven to be effective for mapping timber resource but the use of this technology in the mapping of bamboo resources in Malaysia is still new and yet to be explored. The traditional method of classification in remote sensing is by using supervised classification of mixed pixel; however, the use of sub-pixel classifier is recently gaining momentum. This study applies the sub-pixel classification technique in processing SPOT 5 (path/row: 268/339) satellite data to identify and map bamboo areas in Compartment 26 of Temengor Forest Reserve in Perak. Ground verification was done to check the accuracy of classification from the sub-pixel technique. This study identified about 4.61 ha (15.4%) bamboo areas from the 60 ha of the total area in compartment 26 of Temengor Forest Reserve. The estimated bamboo culms were 4,062 and the accuracy of mapping was 86.6%. This paper demonstrates that remote sensing is capable of identifying bamboo areas through sub-pixel-based technique with acceptable results. In future studies, high resolution satellite remote sensing should be considered for better results

Understanding Proactive Behaviours and Career Success: Evidence From an Emerging Economy

This article explores the relationship between proactive career behaviours and both objective and subjective career success. The study was conducted on a sample of managers within the public sector of an emerging economy (Malaysia). A sample of 288 managers reported on their proactive career behaviours and career success. Results show that managers who engage in individual career management and networking behaviours report more subjective career success. Networking is positively related to both objective and subjective career success. We discuss the implications for managers' career in emerging economies.&nbsp

Constructivist Approach to Learning Activity: The Case of Junior Secondary Students’ Misconception on the Three States of Matter in Basic Science, Nigeria

The paper focuses on the misconceptions of students on the states of matter and suggests the need for scienceteachers to adopt the 7E model in order to reduce these misconceptions and promote students’ learning. The paperdevelops and proposes a learning activity based on a systematic review of scholarly articles, thesis, and curriculumthat investigated the subject matter. The 7E model consists of phases such as elicit, engage, explore, explain,elaborate, evaluate, and extend. The researchers prepared a specific lesson plan on identifying the properties andstructures of states of matter using the 7Es learning cycle specifying the teacher’s activities and the correspondingstudents’ activities. The 7E model is recommended for teaching states of matter based on studies that found theapproach to be effective in helping students eliminate scientific misconception and improve understanding

Dimension and stackability of cassava (Manihot esculanta Crantz) chips for mass production

Cassava chips that exist in the current market have no standardisation and cannot be stacked nicely into cylindrical container. The objectives of this work are to determine the different dimension of cassava chips produced with different thickness and to develop stackable chips during mass production. Fresh cassava tubers were harvested, washed, peeled and sliced. The thickness measurements used were 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.75 mm and 2.0 mm and 1.27 mm thickness was measured from commercial potato chips as a controlled sample. Then, it was fried in deep fat fryer with the temperature of 170°C. For each thickness studied, different numbers of slice (10, 20, 30 and 40 slices) were fried simultaneously. Results showed that there are 6 shapes of fried chips produced during the frying. To conclude, thickness of the slice and number of slices fried simultaneously give impact towards the shape of fried chip

Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, serotype distribution and virulence determinants among invasive, non-invasive and colonizing Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus) from Malaysian patients

A total of 103 group B streptococci (GBS) including 22 invasive, 21 non-invasive, and 60 colonizing isolates were collected in a Malaysian hospital (June 2010–October 2011). Isolates were characterized by conventional and molecular serotyping and analyzed for scpB, lmb, hylB, cylE, bac, bca and rib gene content. Antimicrobial susceptibility to penicillins, macrolides, lincosamides, quinolones and tetracyclines was determined using disk diffusion and the MICs for penicillin were determined by E-test. Molecular serotyping for all eight serotypes (Ia, Ib, II–VII) was in full accordance with conventional serotyping. Overall, taking CS and MS together, serotype VI was the most common capsular type (22.3 %) followed by VII (21.4 %), III (20.4 %), Ia (17.5 %), V (9.7 %), II (7.7 %) and IV (1 %). Susceptibility to beta-lactam antimicrobials was prevalent (100 %). Resistance rates for erythromycin, clindamycin and tetracycline were 23.3 %, 17.5 % and 71.8 %, respectively. PCR-virulence gene screening showed the presence of cylE, lmb, scpB and hylB in almost all the isolates while rib, bca, and bac genes were found in 29.1 %, 14.6 % and 9.7 % of the isolates. Certain genes were significantly associated with specific serotypes, namely, rib with serotypes Ia, II, III and VI; bca and bac with serotypes II and III. Furthermore, serotype Ia was significantly more common among patients with invasive infections (p < 0.01) and serotype VI isolates were significantly more common among carriers (p < 0.05). In summary, serotype distribution correlates with virulence gene content will be useful in epidemiological studies and design of vaccines

Analysis of thin walled tube Al 3003 H12 under quasi-static axial crush mode using finite element method

Experimental crashworthiness investigation on thin walled tube structure always contribute into a complicated process with huge amount of cost is wasted on specimen preparation perfection. Advance numerical solution has been found as a significant option in order to simplify the process while enhancing the understanding of this crashworthiness behavior. Therefore, current works have been carried out based on finite element method to perform a quasi-static axial crush on selected thin walled tube structures. Here, the circular and rectangular tubes of aluminium alloys Al 3003 H12 sections are selected based on its wide application on front chassis rail component. Essential boundary conditions have been applied in order to accurately simulate the quasi-static axial crush behavior. Preliminary verification results has shown that current numerical method is capable to produce a good correlation results with selected experimental data in terms of energy absorption, crushing length and collapse starting point. However, there is also a slight discrepancy observed in cylindrical 1.5 mm deformation mode behavior

Integration of SPT (N-value), mackintosh probe (M-value) and resistivity values for soft soil assessment

2-D resistivity method has been used in association with Mackintosh probe and Standard Penetration Test (SPT) to investigate the ground properties at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang. The purpose of this study was to determine the resistivity value of the subsurface material together with N-value and M-value of the particular location. The study also aimed to evaluate whether there is any correlation could be made by the parameters measured. Borehole record revealed that two types of soil exist up to 13 m; loose sand and stiff sandy silt. The loose sand recorded N-value of 8 and M-value of 170 having resistivity value of 790 Ohm.m. On the other hand, stiff sandy silt recorded N-value of 9-11, M-value of 135-170 and showing resistivity value of 415-785 Ohm.m. The results showed no clear relation between those geotechnical strength parameters with the resistivity imaging result. It is due to non-existence of distinctive differences in the electrical conductivity of the mentioned ground material when they are in the low strength bracket. However, the resistivity result suggested the presence of higher resistance material that is dry loose sand. The resistivity result was able to detect the water saturated zone near the ground surface, which showed low N-value and M-value

Causative failure factors of communications management in mixed-use development projects in Malaysia

Construction delay has been a persistent challenge for the Malaysian construction industry. This has resulted in many issues, including public complaints, government loss of reputation and income and a decline in the gross domestic product output of the industry. Furthermore, the construction industry is a complex business with several stakeholders continually sharing information. Hence, ensuring project success has to be the utmost important task of a project manager. Often the construction industry is marred by high cases of delays, overruns, poor quality, health and safety issues, emissions and sustainability issues as a result of ineffective communication practices. Therefore, this paper aims to examine causative failure factors of communications management in mixed-use development projects in Malaysia. Based on the literature review, 11 factors and 44 items were identified. These factors and items were evaluated by 141 respondents from the Malaysian construction industry. Data analysis was done using SPSS 23.0. This study found that the most critical causative failure factor is team meeting discussions. The respondents believe that there is lack of stakeholder cooperation due to poor representation during the discussions, which also reflects the inadequacy of mutual respect, confidence and trust among stakeholders. As a recommendation, frequent team meeting discussions provide a platform for effective information exchange, thus help to reduce mixed-use project failures in Malaysia

Etching Time on Structural and Electrical Properties of Porous Silicon SERS Substrates for Non-Invasive Dengue-NS1 Detection

Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is a sensitive and specific analytical technique which has been explored in many applications, including disease detection. However, SERS performance is highly dependent on type of SERS substrate. This work is aimed to develop a SERS substrate that is sensitive to an early dengue virus biomarker known as Dengue virus nonstructural 1 (DENV-NS1) protein from saliva of infected patients. The new SERS substrate will allow non-invasive and rapid detection method for Dengue as early as day one of infection. Early detection of infection within the first five days is crucial to monitoring patients to help in reducing the fatality rate. Here, the electrochemical etching technique is employed to fabricate porous silicon (pSi) with variation in structural features to serve as the SERS substrate base. Variation in surface structural and electrical properties of pSi with etching time is recorded. Structural surface properties of the samples are investigated using the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). While, the electrical properties are observed through I-V, resistivity and conductivity curve. From FESEM images, micro size cross-shaped porous structures are observed to have formed. Top-view reveals micro-size cross-shaped structures, while triangle-shaped structures from the cross-sectional view. The size of the structure formed increases with the etching time. Based on the structural and electrical properties an etching time between 20 to 28 minutes is found optimal for producing more uniform surface structure