User perceptions of Islamic website (I-webs)

Despite attending face-to-face meetings with the Muslim scholars, the Islamic Websites (I-webs) has been one of the most influential mediums of communication for Muslims across the globe to find information about Islam, and to share the knowledge they learned to both Muslims and non-Muslims. Realizing the significant impact of I-webs in spreading da'wah, it is imperative for the researchers understand the perception of our younger generation about I-webs as the source of information. This paper explores the Muslim Youths' perception of I-webs among undergraduate students aged between 19 to 22 years old. I-webs were evaluated using Islamic Website Evaluation Guidelines (IWEG) survey instrument. The outcome of this research will be used to further improve the design of I-webs to attract more users, particularly among the younger generation to deliver messages on the beauty of Islam

Investigating Maturity State and Internal Properties of Fruits Using Non-destructive Techniques-a Review

The evaluation of internal condition of the fruit via destructive techniques mostly damaged the internal and external fruit structure. However, there are several non-destructive techniques available could be applied in the agricultural industry, specifically for observing internal fruit conditions. Different kinds of internal conditions of fruits are evaluated in terms of their quality and ripeness levels. These non-destructive techniques include fruit evaluation via ultrasonic measurement techniques, light spectroscopy, imaging via Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and X-Ray, computer vision, electric nose and also vibration. The capabilities and the effectiveness of these techniques towards fruit monitoring are thoroughly discussed. Besides, the drawback of these non-destructive technique has been analysed

Sensitivity measurement of Fibre Bragg grating sensor

A practical pass-through type fibre Bragg grating (FBG) temperature sensor system have been designed, developed, simulated, and experimentally investigated. The performance of FBG was evaluated in harsh environments exposed under direct sunlight, rain, and wind. The sensor system designed directly focused with convex and hand lens. The temperature of FBG’s sensor head been measured. The broadband laser source was launched into the system using tunable laser source (TLS) and both transmission and reflection spectra of FBG sensor were measured by optical spectrum analyzer (OSA). Results shows that the Bragg wavelength shift, ΔλB increased proportionally with the temperature changes. The sensitivity of FBG were recorded at 0.0100 and 0.0132 nm °C-1 for the systems where convex and hand lens applied to the FBG’s sensor head respectively, while the sensitivity of 0.0118 nm °C-1 measured for the system without any focusing element applied

Microstrip-Fed Circular Disc Monopole Antenna with Defected Waveguide Structure

This paper presented the microstrip-fed circular disc monopole antenna with defected waveguide structure. First, the microstrip-fed circular disc monopole antenna was designed. Next, the monopole antenna was designed with waveguide and lastly followed by the defected waveguide structure where the uniplanar compact (UC) structure was used. CST Microwave studio software was used for simulation and parametric studies process. Initially, the microstrip-fed circular disc monopole antenna was designed to achieve return loss less than -10dB for wideband frequencies. Then, the gain and directivity was improved with the integration of waveguide. The highest directivity of 11.38dBi found at 13.5GHz. However, low efficiency and narrower bandwidth were obtained. Next, uniplanar compact defected waveguide structure (UC DWS) was designed at inner surface of waveguide. The bandwidth achieved 3.09GHz where it covered from 10.91GHz to 14GHz. Meanwhile, the directivity maintained higher than the monopole antenna with highest directivity of 8.84dBi at 10GHz. The gain was also improved from 11GHz to 14GHz with highest gain of 6.38dB occurred at 13.5GHz

Unstable Temperature Distribution in Friction Stir Welding

In the friction stir welding process, a nonuniform and high generated temperature is undesirable. Unstable temperature and distribution affect thermal and residual stresses along the welding line, thus necessitating mitigation. This paper presents a simple method to prevent significant temperature difference along the welding line and also to help nullifying some defect types associated with this welding, such as end-hole, initial unwelded line, and deformed areas. In the experimental investigation, a heat and force thermocouple and dynamometer were utilized while couple-field thermomechanical models were used to evaluate temperature and its distribution, plastic strain, and material displacement. The suggested method generated uniform temperature distributions. Measurement results are discussed, showing a good correlation with prediction

CPW-Fed Circular Disc Monopole Antenna with Defected Waveguide Structures

This paper presented a parametric study on coplanar waveguide-fed (CPW-fed) circular disc monopole antenna with defected waveguide structure (DWS). The CPWfed circular disc monopole antenna was designed to cover wideband frequencies. Afterward, the monopole antenna was attached to a waveguide with a uniplanar compact defected waveguide structure (UC DWS). The simulation design and parametric studies were done by using the CST Microwave studio software. Initially, the CPW-fed circular disc monopole antenna was designed to achieve return loss of -10dB from 2.36GHz to 10GHz. The directivity has improved significantly when the monopole antenna was attached to a waveguide where the highest directivity was 9.83dBi at 8.5GHz. However, narrower bandwidth and lower efficiency were achieved. It achieved a bandwidth of 0.49GHz and highest efficiency of -1.76dB at 8.5GHz. The UC DWS was then designed on the inner surface of the waveguide with smaller dimension with 6.25 x 6.25mm 2 and a small gap of 0.3mm. The directivity and gain have been improved. The highest directivity and gain were 7.10dBi at 8.5GHz and 5.42dB at 6.5GHz respectively. The bandwidth was 3.66GHz where it covered from 6.34GHz to 10GHz

Single Feed Square Aperture Circular Polarized Antenna

In recent years, circular polarized antennas become more important in wireless communication systems because of the ability of radiating circular polarized wave. In this paper, the design of single-feed square-aperture antenna with and without reflector towards the circular polarized antenna performance is presented. The antenna made of square ground plane, square-aperture and a probing strip feed by using microstrip transmission line. The design has achieved a target axial ratio, which is less than 3 dB at frequency range of 4 GHz to 6.5 GHz. When a square ground plane reflector is integrated on the CP antenna for the unidirectional pattern, the presented antenna enhanced gain about 8 dB

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF TRICHODERMA SPECIES FROM SOILS FOR USING AGAINST SOME SOILBORNE FUNGAL PATHOGENS

Hydrolytic enzyme producing Trichoderma species have long been recognized as an agent for controlling plant diseases caused by various phytopathogenic fungi. A study was done to characterize four isolates of Trichoderma isolated from the rhizosphere of different crop plants to characterize and identify certain biocontrol related enzymes (β1,3-glucanase and chitinase). Morphological and molecular characterize action of antagonistic ability of Trichoderma species were studied. On the basis of morphological and culture characteristics, the Trichoderma isolates were identified as T. harizanum (1 isolate), T. viride (3 isolates). These isolates were tested against plant pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium   and Fusarium oxysporum). The best isolate producing chitinase (overproduction) was T. harizanum from (160 to 0.64) mg/ml. On the other hand the best isolate gave over production β-1; 3-glucanase over production was T. viride from (2250 to 2.20 mg/ml

Crop water requirement at different growing stages of pineapple production in BRIS soil

The BRIS (Beach Ridges Interspersed with Swales) soils are the sandy marine deposits at the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The area is less suitable for usual field crops. Pineapple (Ananas comosus) may be introduced in the area for commercial cultivation. An experiment was conducted in the glass house condition of UPM. Pineapple plants were nurtured in the lysimeters, filled with BRIS soil, to assess the water requirements at different growth stages. Highest requirement of irrigation water was found 2.43 mm/day in initial stage (1). Subsequent development stage (2), mid-stage (3) and ripening stage (4) required smaller amount of irrigation water (approximately 1.55 mm/day). The daily average evapotranspiration (ETc) was 0.83 mm/day in Stage 1, followed by 0.73 mm/day in Stage 2. The lowest ETc was found 0.65 mm/day in Stage 3. The estimated crop coefficient (K ) was found maximum 0.51 in initial stage. The Kc values showed a continuous decreasing trend up harvesting time. The second highest Kc value was 0.37 in development stage followed by 0.33 in mid-stage and minimum 0.30 during ripening stage

Pilot-scale recovery of low molecular weight organic acids from anaerobically treated palm oil mill effluent (POME) with energy integrated system

Low molecular weight organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acids generated from partial anaerobic treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME) were recovered using pilot scale filtration and evaporation system. Mechanical filter press (14 L) was used for removing solid fractions and fraction distillation unit (40 L) for evaporation and clarification of concentrated acid from POME. Clarification using rotary evaporator was found to be more suitable than distillation column. Due to the presence of more than 90% of water in POME, the final clarified product comprises only 7% of the total volume. The material balance for the overall process was estimated and integrated system for the bioconversion of organic acids into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) was proposed. The recovery of organic acids has a significant and economical impact, since around 50% cost of PHA production is believed to be associated with the substrate itself