The Impact of increase in energy prices on sectoral costs of production of the Malaysian economy

This paper examines the impact of an increase in the petroleum price on the sectoral costs of production. Three components of costs of production, which comprise domestic materials, imported input, and labour have been identified. By using the input-output model, different scenarios of the petroleum price changes on sectoral costs of production were stimulated. The simulation results indicated that the fishing, forestry, and logging product, electricity and gas, cement, lime and plaster, and transport sectors are mostly affected by the increase in petroleum price. These sectors are expected to show large impact on costs of production as a result of petroleum price increase because these industries highly consume petroleum products as an intermediate input in their production process

Evaluation of external radiological hazard in bottom and fly ash from coal fired pilot plant

Coal is the most important fossil fuel for non-nuclear power generation industries. The burning of coal generates ashes which contain natural radionuclides namely 238U and 232Th series including 40K that are released into the environment. This study presents an evaluation of the radioactivity content found in the feed coal and ashes sampled from typical coal fired power plants. The sample was measured for activity concentration of the radionuclides and the results were used to evaluate the radiological hazard index of the sample.The findings revealed that the values of the external radiological hazard obtained were acceptable and safe to be reutilized

Particulate emission from agricultural waste fired boiler

In the current overview paper, particulate emissions from the combustion of agricultural residues are discussed. The influence of operating parameters and fuel quality was investigated. Studies on the mass concentration, number concentration and size distribution of particles emitted from agricultural waste fired boiler are presented. Mass concentrations of particles in the flue gas from small scale combustion appliances reported in the literature to be in the range of 8 - 2095 mg/Nm3, while particle number concentrations in the range of 7.0 x 10-2 to 1.8 x 108 particles/cm3. The dominating chemical compositions of the particle emissions were Ca followed by K, Mn and Mg. Organic Carbon (OC), Elemental carbon (EC), Elemental emission, Poly-cyclic Aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and emission of different size particles (PM?0.1 to PM10) were also reported. Combustion temperature is the most important factor in determining PAH composition

Pembangunan jadual input-output wilayah dan analisis ke atas struktur industri Selangor

Purpose – This paper attempts to estimate a regional input-output table for Selangor for 2000. Then, the regional input-output table is used to analyse the production structures in Selangor. Design/Methodology/Approach – The regional input-output table for Selangor is estimated by applying the RAS technique. Accordingly, under the homogeneity assumption of production structures and technologies between Selangor and Malaysia, the structure of Selangor’s inter-industry is estimated based on the structure of national inter-industry transactions. Findings – Results showed that Selangor has modest production structure and highly dependent on imports and exports. The inter-industry linkages analysis indicated that manufacturing, mining and quarrying, and government service sectors are the key sectors in Selangor, where these sectors have potential to stimulate growth in the economy.Originality/Value – This paper is a pioneer study for the construction of a regional input-output table for Malaysia, especially for Selangor, by using a partial survey approach. For the purpose of planning, the regional input-output table is an important economic tool because it compiles the whole demand and supply of production sectors in an economy.Paper type – Research pape

High performance blended membranes using a novel preparation technique

The possibility of applying novel microwave (MW) technique in the dissolution of polyethersulfone (PES) and lithium halides in aprotic solvent is studied. The lithium halides additives used are lithium fluoride (LiF), lithium bromide (LiBr) and lithium chloride (LiCl) and a comparison is made with conventional method. PES was dissolved in dimethylformamide (DMF) in the single solvent whilst for the double solvent (DS); PES was dissolved in a mixture of two different solvents DMF and acetone. The concentrations of lithium halide in both solvents were varied from 1 to 5 wt%. In order to illuminate the mechanism through which lithium halide influences the kinetic membrane performance in both techniques, rheological, FTIR, contact angle and water uptake analysis were performed. The performances of the membranes were evaluated in terms of pure water permeation (PWP), permeation rate (PR) and separation rates of various polyethylene glycols. Result revealed that the hollow fiber MW membrane with the 3 wt% LiBr additive exhibits both high permeation rates of 222.16 Lm-2hr-1 and separation rates of 99% and molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) of 2.6 kDa. In general, the MW membranes exhibited higher permeation and separation rates compared to conventional electrothermal heating (CEH) membranes. The FTIR, contact angle and water uptake measurement revealed that the LiCl and LiBr have enhanced the hydrophilic properties of the PES membranes thus producing membrane with high permeation and separation rates

Estimating cost savings through adoption of the best-practice technique: Evidence from the Malaysian manufacturing sector

By using the input-output approach, this article attempts to estimate costs of production by using the 1978 vintage and best-practiced techniques, based on the vintage hypothesis that as time progresses and price rises, adopting the best-practice technique will give more cost saving and use less amount of inputs for each unit of output produced, rather than the old techniques. This paper has identified three component production costs of vintage technology, domestic materials, imported input, and labour. It was found that costs of production for the best-practice technique are less than those of the older one (vintage), supporting the vintage hypothesis. Thus, there is a strong argument for the economy to adopt the best-practice technique because it is absolutely a considerable advantage in terms of saving in the per unit cost of production

Kesan turun naik perdagangan ke atas penciptaan guna tenaga industri elektrik dan elektronik di Malaysia, 1991-2001

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of output and employment generation due to fluctuations in net trade for electric and electronic products during the period 1991 – 2001. The results show the significant contribution of electric and electronic industry not only for the Malaysian GDP, export, and employment, but also for its inter-industrial relationship in the manufacturing sectors. Decreased net trade for electric and electronic products have resulted in declining output and employment generation especially in 1994 and 2000. This paper also attempts to present the impact on various categories of workers based on the skill levels due to the decline in the net trade for electric and electronic products. The results demonstrate that skilled workers are the most affected category, which is due to the high intensity level of skilled workers in this sector

Natural radioactivity from non-nuclear power generation power industries: regulatory control of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) for environmental sustainability

Coal is a widely used mineral and contains almost all elements which include Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) from natural origin such as from Uranium-238 (238U) and Thorium-232 (232Th) Series along with Potassium-40 (40K). It is the most important source of fossil fuel for non-nuclear power generation industries due to its accessibility and abundance in nature. The burning of coal generates bottom and fly ash which are released into the atmosphere. This process potentially tends to distribute the natural radionuclides originating from coal and enriched in the environment that could contribute to higher external radiation exposure to the population at large. This study aimed to presents an analysis of radioactivity concentration of feed coal burned and ashes from a typical coal fired power plants (CFPP) which is a non-nuclear power generation in Malaysia. The sample was analyzed for two most important natural radionuclides content namely 238U and 232Th by using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). An extensive investigation of this nature is warranted for radiation protection towards legislative compliance in ensuring safety of the public and workers and the protection of the environment

Kajian input-output wilayah: aplikasi dan analisis di Selangor

The paper presents the result of the development of regional input-output table which estimated by using the RAS technique. With assuming the production structure and technology are identical, the regional input-output is estimated based on the national input-output table. By developing the input-output table, the study has improved state's GDP accounting for both by expenditures and products in consistent way. Even though the studies found that the manufacturing, mining and quarrying, and government services have modest production structure, inter-industry linkages effects indicate that these sectors are the key sectors for Selangor

Radiological and functional outcome post fixation in unstable proximal femur fracture: comparison between proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) and proximal femoral locking compression plate (PFLCP)

INTRODUCTION: Incidence of unstable proximal femoral fracture is increasing in trend and the treatment is challenging. Operative treatment offers various selection of implant including plate and intramedullary nail. The purpose of this study is to compare radiological and functional outcome between both implants: PFNA and PFLCP. METHODS: This is a single centre observational cohort study involving all patients with unstable proximal femur fracture, admitted from January 2012 till December 2017. Plain pelvic and hip radiographs at immediate, 6 month and 1 year post-operative. Neck shaft angle (NSA) and its difference on contralateral side measured. Radiological outcome evaluated prevalence of varus malalignment and quality of fracture reduction. Functional outcome is measured by using Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). RESULTS: Sample population is 91 patients. Radiological and functional outcome didn’t differ significantly (p>0.05) but PFLCP group had shown significant shorter union time (table 1,2). DISCUSSIONS: Association of radiological and functional outcome between both implants was statistically insignificant (p>0.05), which concurrent with the study by Singh AK, 2017, Li GX, 2012. CONCLUSION: Both implants were effective in treating unstable proximal femur fractures. REFERENCES: 1. Singh AK et al.Treatment of Unstable Trochanteric Femur Fracture:PFNA versus PFLCP. Am. Journal. 2017