Satu tinjauan keperluan kod etika gangguan seksual di kalangan penuntut-penuntut politeknik

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk meninjau bahawa adakah kod etika gangguan seksual diperliikan oleh penuntut-peniintut politeknik Keperluan penghasilan kod etika ini adalah untuk memberi pengetahuan, kesedaran dan kefahaman kepada penuntut-penuntut politeknik terhadap gejala gangguan seksual ini. Sebanyak tiga buah Politeknik yang terlibat iaitu Politeknik Port Dickson, Politeknik Sultan Sallahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah dan Politeknik Seberang Perai. Seramai 100 orang penuntut dari ketiga-tiga buah politeknik yang terlibat dalam kajian ini. Kajian ini adalah berbentuk deskriptif iaitu melalui teknik peninjauan ke atas sainpel. Fungsi mereka ini hanyalah sebagai pemberi maklumat. Bagi tujuan mengumpul data, soal selidik berdasarkan skala Likert ditadbirkan kepada pelajar-pelajar. Data-data yang diperolehi dianalisis menggunakan ujian statistik dengan perisian SPSS versi 10.0. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa penuntut-penuntut mempimyai pengetahuan, kesedaran dan kefahaman yang sederhana mengenai gangguan seksual. Oleh itu, mereka bersetuju jika diwujudkan satu kod etika sebagai satu garis panduan. Dengan dapatan ini maka ia boleh memberi input kepada pihak yang terbabit untuk menangani isu gejala gangguan seksual ini

Structural and Setting reaction studies of Glass Polyalkenoate Cements by MAS- NMR Spectrocopy

Glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) are produced from a reaction between fluoroaluminosilicate glass powder with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). These cements are widely used in dentistry as adhesive and tooth restorative materials. During the setting reaction, the Al(IV) changes its coordination number to Al(VI) and crosslink to PAA chains. In the present work, the structure of the glass and the setting reaction of GPCs were studied by 29Si, 31P, 19F and 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopy. The influences of alumina content as well as mixed cation such as Ca/Na and Ca/Sr on the glass structure were studied. The Q structure of the glass changed with the alumina content as the number of neighbouring Al in SiO4 network decreased. The decrease in alumina content also resulted in more disrupted glasses and a higher tendency to undergo amorphous separation and crystallization because there are more Ca cation available to form NBO and F-Ca(n). Furthermore, the influence of substituting sodium for calcium was investigated. The Q structure of the glass was not affected with the addition of Na. It was found that Na penetrates the phosphorus and fluorine environments and forms Na/Ca pyrophosphate and F-Ca(2)/Na(1) and Al-F-Na(n) species. The effect of Sr substituting for Ca was also studied. It was suggested that Sr may have a little influence on the glass structure due to their similarity in charge to size ratio. The Sr may slightly affect the phosphorus environment due to the difference in field strength of Ca and Sr. In this study, the setting reaction of GPCs was followed by 29Si, 31P, 19F and 27Al MAS-NMR spectroscopy. All GPCs continue to have a pyrophosphate environment of Q1 Al-O-PO3 3- regardless of the original glass composition. This suggests that the Al(IV) from the Al-O-P bonds are not released from the glass network, thus are not available to crosslink to PAA chains. Therefore, the phosphate content is important for controlling the working and the setting time of GPCs. The conversion of Al(IV) to Al(VI) was determined from the 27Al MAS-NMR data and the Al(VI):Al(IV) + Al(V) ratio was calculated in order to follow the setting reaction of the GPCs. The addition of fluorine in the GPCs was found to enhance the acid attack during the setting reaction. In contrast, it was suggested that Na delays the setting reaction by forming Na polysalts and hence, disrupting the crosslinking of Al3+ to PAA. Although the presence of Sr has little influence on the structure of the glass, the conversion of Al(IV) to Al(VI) is lower for Sr and mixed Ca/Sr cements than Ca cement. The difference is not yet fully understood, but it is suggested that it may be due to the larger size of Sr ions. A commercial GPC, Carbomer® containing fluoroapatite (FAP) designed to remineralise in the mouth was also studied. This study showed the involvement of the FAP component in the setting reaction and hence, the amount of FAP available for promoting the remineralisation process decreases. The Al(V) is present in all GPCs regardless of the setting time. In addition, the participation of Al(VI) from the glass in the setting reaction is not clear because both Al(VI) in the glass and in the cement matrix have very similar chemical shift. The present work suggests that there are two sites of Al(IV) after the setting reaction, which are attributed to the Al(IV) in the original glass and in the degraded layer of the glass. The reduction of Al-F-Na(n) and Al-F-Ca(n) species after the setting reaction and the unavailability of Al-O-P bonds for acid attack suggest that ion exchange between cations (Na and Sr) with protons from PAA may take place during the setting reaction. All GPCs show similar fluorine environments after setting. It was suggested that fluorine maybe bonded to Al in higher coordination states than four. Finally, there is a reconstruction of the silicate network during the setting reaction, as a result of the release of Al3+ and other ions from the glass network. It is assumed that the reconstruction of the silicate network depends on the release rate of the Al(IV). It is hoped that the improved structural understanding of the glass and the setting reaction of the GPCs obtained during this study will lead to the design of new GPCs for specific applications

Economic freedoom, income inequality and economic growth in developing countries

The importance of economic freedom and income inequality on economic growth has been extensively investigated. Income inequality itself is a problem that needs to be addressed. Yet, the dilemma whether economic freedom and income inequality actually help to explain the corresponding differences in across countries economic growth rates are still in debate. Thus, the aims of this study are to examine the link between income inequality and economic growth, to determine the effect of economic freedom on economic growth and to analyse the impact of economic freedom on income inequality. In thisstudy, two data sets are utilized corresponding to two economic freedom data sources. In the case where the economic freedom data set is obtained from Fraser Institute’seconomicfreedom 2012, thenumber of developing countries is 65 countriesover the period 1976-2010. In the case where the economic freedom data set is gathered from Heritage Foundation’s economic freedom 2012, the same sample countries are employed but the sample periods are from 1996-2010 since the first report started in 1995. Besides, the economic freedom, income inequality and economic growth data, data on institutions, investment, population, human capital and inflation are added in determining variation in economic growth. All the data are analysed using a dynamic system panel GMM estimation technique. Several important findings are drawn from the study. First, the finding indicates that income inequality has a negative effect on economic growth.Policy makers need to reduce income inequality either through government spending, human capital or through minimum wage policy. Second, economic freedom and institutions variables affect economic growth positively. The sub-indicators of Fraser Institute of economic freedom namely, legal system and property rights, freedom to trade internationally, sound money, and regulationarefound to have a positive effect on economic growth. The sub-indicators of Heritage Foundation of economic freedom namely,monetary freedom and trade freedom arefound to have a positive effect on economic growth whereasgovernment spending, property rights,and business freedom arefound to have a negative effect on economic growth. Since not all economic freedom sub-indicators contribute to the positive link, it is good for the policy makers to just concentrate on positive sub-indicators. Finally, this study found that economic freedom affects income inequality positively. An increase in economic freedom makes income inequalityworsen. Size of government, legal system and property rights, and freedom to trade internationally contribute to the positive relationship between economic freedom and income inequality. Hence, taking into consideration the influence of economic freedom on economic growth, and income inequality, policy makers need to just focus on sound money, and regulation. An increase in economic growth and income equality has been the centre of economic policymaking in many countries around the globe. As such, the issues presented in this study would serve as important guidelines to understand the influence of the economic variables on economic growth and income equality

Carboxymethylation of Sago Starch and Sago Waste and the Formation of Carboxymethyl Starchhydrogel Via Irradiation Technique

Carboxymethyl starch (CMS) and carboxymethyl sago waste (CMSW) were synthesized in completely heterogeneous conditions as a product of the reaction of sago starch or sago waste and sodium monochloroacetate (CICH₂COONa) in isopropanol and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The influence of various parameters on the degree of substitution (DS) was determined. The optimum conditions obtained for CMS were as follows: NaOH concentration, 20% w/v; reaction time, 1 h; reaction temperature, 55°C; and amount of CICH₂COONa, 1.5 mole. Meanwhile the optimum conditions for carboxymethylation of sago waste were as follows: NaOH concentration, 25 % w/v; reaction time, 2 h; reaction temperature, 55°C; and amount of CICI-bCOONa, 2.0 mole. The DS and reaction efficiency (RE) under optimum conditions for CMS were 1.05 and· 85.9%, respectively, whereas for CMSW were 1.04 and 79.5%, respectively

USERS’ PERCEPTIONS ON THE USEFULNESS OF THE SMES’ ACCOUNTING INFORMATION: MALAYSIAN CASE

This study investigates the perceived usefulness of selected accounting information presented in the SMEs’ financial statements. Mailed questionnnaires were sent to SMEs’ owner and loan officers in Malaysia. The findings showed that the SMEs’ owners and loan officers have substantially similar views on the usefulness of the accounting information. In addition, this study found that type of business organisation, academic qualification, time spend in reading the financial statement, level of understanding of the financial statements and awareness about financial reporting regulation do not have significant relationship with the SMEs’ owners’ perceptions on the usefulness of the accounting information. On the other hand, for the loan officers, experience in assessing SMEs’ financial statements was found to have a significant relationship with the loan officers’ perceptions on the usefulness of the accounting information, while accouting expertise, year in position, awareness about financial reporting regulation are not. The results of this study may provide awareness to the SMEs’ managers on the informational needs of the users of their financial statementsSMEs, financial reporting, usefulness, accounting information

Sago starch based hydrogel prepared using electron beam irradiation technique for controlled release application

Carboxymethyl Sago starch (CMSS) is one of the natural polymers with high value as a polymeric device for medical application due to its potential as biocompatible materials. The monomer blending with modified natural polymers by irradiation technique has received wide attention due to the simple method of preparation, more promising material and free chemical residue in the product. CMSS/methacrylic acid (MAA) hydrogels were synthesized by Electron Beam irradiation at 2meV, 10mA. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of hydrogels from modified carboxymethyl sago starch CMSS for oral drug delivery. The hydrogels were characterized by FT-IR, TGA and DTG. The effects of the preparation conditions such as the,monomer composition and irradiation dose on the gel fraction of the synthesized hydrogel were investigated. The swelling properties of the hydrogel were carried out in acidic media, neutral and alkaline media at different temperatures (27˚C – 60 ˚C).The pH sensitive properties of CMSS/MAA hydrogel showed that it can be used as drug delivery devices due to suitability of pH response to the environment in gastrointestine tract

Preparation and characterization of carboxymethyl sago starch hydrogel

Hydrogel is a three-dimensional network of polymer chains that receives high attention in scientific research due to their potential in drug delivery, biomedical field and waste water treatment. In this study, carboxymethyl sago starch (CMS) hydrogel was prepared via crosslinking technique where CMS was dissolved in HCl solution under vigorous stirring to form gel. The effect of the percentage amount of CMS, concentration of the acid solution, reaction time and reaction temperature were the parameters that have been studied to identify the optimum condition of CMS hydrogel. It was found that 60% amount of CMS in 2.0M acid solution for 12 hours at room temperature were the optimum conditions for CMS hydrogel. The CMS hydrogel was characterized by using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR spectrum of CMS hydrogel shows an additional sharp absorption peak at 1723 cm-1 denote that the Na in CMSS being exchanged to H from hydrochloric acid solution. SEM image of CMS hydrogel shows a spongy surface with empty space called pores in structure and connected to each other to form networks. TGA curve shows that the maximum rate of thermal decomposition of CMS hydrogel is higher than CMS at 311.89 ºC with 60.22 % major weight loss. This could be due to the presence of the cross-linkages in the CMS hydrogel

Synthesis and properties of vinylpyrrolidone / (trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate gels containing different amounts of crosslinking agent

High conversion copolymers containing 90 wt % of N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) and 10 wt % of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSPM) with 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 wt % (in conversion to mass of NVP/TMSPM) of ethylene glycoldimethacrylate (EGDMA) as crosslinker have been successfully synthesized. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were employed to characterize the resulting copolymers. The effect of EGDMA amount on the mechanical and thermal properties, swelling parameters, clarity, and oxygen permeability of the prepared xerogels and hydrogels were studied. 3 wt % of EGDMA is required to obtain clear xerogels and hydrogels. The water content (EWC), volume fraction of polymer (φ2) and weight loss during swelling decrease with increasing EGDMA content. Young’s and shear modulus (E and G) increase as EGDMA content increases, the values of E and G are 0.570–3.531 MPa and 0.217–1.359 MPa, respectively. The hydrogels were characterized in terms of modulus crosslinking density (ve and vt) and polymer-solvent interaction parameters (χ). The results are 0.220–0.613 mol/dm3 for ve, 0.105–0.441 mol/dm3 for vt, and 0.595–0.822 for χ. Thermal properties enhance by adding EGDMA whereas the oxygen permeability (P) of hydrogels decreases from 48.6 to 44.3 as water content decrease from 70.3 to 55.1

Preparation and characterization of hydrogels from grafting of vinyl pyrrolidone onto carboxymethyl cellulose

In this work, hydrogels were prepared from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (VP) by Electron Beam irradiation in the presence of N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) as a crosslinking agent. The parameters studied include stirring time and percentage of crosslinking agent. Hydrogels were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). VP and BIS were found be effective as reinforcement materials to improve the properties of CMC. Meanwhile, the optimum conditions were 5% BIS and 3 hours of stirring time. The gel fraction increased when irradiation dose was increased. FTIR confirmed the crosslinking reaction between CMC and VP after the irradiation process by using BIS as the crosslinking agent. TGA thermograms showed changes in the thermal properties of CMC-VP hydrogels in the presence of different amounts of BIS

Synthesis and characterization of new 3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo- and naphtho-1,3-oxazine derivatives

New 1,3-benzoxazine and naphthoxazine monomers were synthesized using a modified step-wise technique in which formaldehyde was replaced with methylene bromide for ring-closure reaction in the last synthetic step. Salicylaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde were used as the aromatic aldehydes and 4-fluoroaniline, 4-butylaniline, hexamethylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine and 2-aminothiazole were used as the primary amines. Condensation of the aromatic aldehydes and the aromatic primary amines in absolute ethanol gives imine compounds which on reduction with sodium borohydride in methanol give 2-hydroxybenzylamines/2-hydroxynaphthylamines. Ring-closure reaction between 2-hydroxybenzylamines/2-hydroxynaphthylamines and methylene bromide in absolute ethanol gives the 1,3-benzoxazines and naphthoxazines in good yields. The structures of the new 1,3-benzoxazine and naphthoxazine monomers were confirmed by FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectral analysis, Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and elemental analysis. The mass spectrum of the synthesized compounds showed molecular ion peaks centered at m/z 229, 218, 316, 317, 444 and 268 which are equivalent to the molecular weights of the new synthesized compounds a, b, c, d, e and f, respectively. Results of elemental analysis also confirm the calculated result to be in agreement with the experimental result