Synthesis of Sorbitol Fatty Acid Ester through Esterification of Sorbitol and Azelaic Acid Catalysed by Germanium (IV) Oxide

Conventionally, polyurethane (PU) is produced using polyol polyester derived from non-renewable petroleum feedstock. In addition to the restricted resources of petroleum feedstock, inefficient disposal of the non-biodegradable petroleum-based PU waste through landfill and incineration has caused environmental problem. [1]. As an alternative for the current resource, bio-based polyol polyester such as sorbitol fatty acid ester is introduced. Commonly, homogeneous acid catalyst such as sulfuric acid is used in esterification process for the synthesis of polyol polyester [2, 3]. In this study, sorbitol (SL) and azelaic acid (AA) derived from renewable resources were used in the esterification reaction to produce bio-based polyol polyester. Germanium (IV) oxide, a heterogeneous acid catalyst was chosen to eliminate the use of homogeneous acid catalyst that renders corrosiveness, difficulty in the downstream separation and catalyst reuse [4, 5]. The effects of important operating parameters include reaction temperature (160˚C to 220˚C), molar ratio of SL/AA (1:1 to 4:1) and catalyst loading (1 to 4 vol%) were investigated. The reaction was carried out in a batch reactor and the products were analyzed for its acid value through titration and concentration sorbitol and its anhydrides through gas chromatography (GC)

Pengembangan Media Pop Up Book dalam Pembelajaran Menulis Puisi Berbasis Psychowriting pada Siswa Kelas VIII D SMP Negeri 1 Srengat Kabupaten Blitar Tahun Pelajaran 2017/2018

Menulis puisi merupakan salah satu cara untuk mengekspresikan dan melepaskan kepenatan jiwa. Menulis dapat diartikan sebagai kegiatan untuk melahirkan dan mengungkapkan perasaan,ide,dan gagasan dalam bentuk tertulis dengan memperhatikan diksi (pilihan kata), bentuk dan bunyi serta ditata sedemikian rupa sehingga mengandung makna yang sesuai dengan kondisi diri penulis dan juga lingkungan yang ada di sekitarnya. Salah satu media pembelajaran yang mampu mengatasi kendala siswa kelas VIII D SMP Negeri 1 Srengat untuk menyusun puisi adalah media pop up book. Media pop up book berbentuk buku timbul yang di dalamnya berisi materi pembelajaran dengan efek gambar tiga dimensi sehinga mampu memberikan visualisasi cerita menarik.Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menjelaskan proses pengembangan dan kualitas media pembelajaran dari segi kevalidan, keefektifan, serta kepraktrisan. Untuk menjawab tujuan penelitian tersebut disusun dua rumusan masalah yakni, bagaimana proses pengembangan media pop up book, dan bagaimana kualitas media pop up book dari segi kevalalidan, keefektifan, dan juga kepraktisan media pop up book. Hasil penelitian yang diperoleh menunjukkan kualitas yang nampak pada pengembangan media pop up book dalam pembelajaran menulis puisi pada siswa kelas VIII D SMP Negeri 1 Srengat Kabupaten Blitar dikategorikan pada kriteria “berkualitas”. Kualitas pengembangan media pop up book sesuai dengan hasil penilaian dari aspek kevalidan, keefektifan, dan juga kepraktisan media pop up book. Kevalidan media pop up book berdasar penilaian dua validator ahli menunjukkan angka 86.14% sehingga dikategorikan sebagai media “valid”. Keefektifan media pop up book berdasar aktivitas pengajar, aktivitas pebelajar, dan juga ketuntasan hasil belajar menunjukkan kriteria “efektif”. Hal itu berdasar hasil pengamatan aktivitas pengajar dalam pembelajaran menulis puisi dikategorikan “baik” yang mencapai persentase 84,4%. Selain itu, aktivitas pebelajar ketika menulis teks puisi dikategorikan sangatbaik dngan persentase 88,8%. Kemudian untuk hasil tes pebelajar rerata nilai yang berhasil dikumpulkan adalah 80. Hal ini termasuk dalam kategori “sangat baik”. Kepraktisan media pop up book dapat dilihat berdasar respon pebelajar terhadap penggunaan media guna menunjang dan mempermudah proses pembelajaran menulis puisi. Berdasar respon pebelajar, tingkat kepraktisan media pop up book terkategorikan sebagai media yang “memenuhi” untuk proses pembelajaran menulis puisi pada siswa kelas VIII D SMP Negeri 1 Srengat Kabupaten Blitar dengan angka hasil respon sebesar 98%

A Profile Analysis of Potential Investors in Ireit Waqf Investment Products

The objective of this study is to provide a profile analysis of potential investors in iREIT as an instrument for waqf asset development. By adopting a survey questionnaire approach, a total of 365 respondents participated in the survey, which assessed information pertaining to the understanding of iREIT as an investment instrument, level of acceptance towards the idea of its introduction in the context of waqf, the medium of promotion and collection that they most prefer, the suitable price, and the unique features that they agreed to have in this hybrid iREIT. The results suggest that majority of the respondents are interested to participate as investors rather than donors, indicating that greater amount of funds can be tapped from the issuance of the iREITs waqf if these preferences of the investors are given priority. Findings of this study would assist in the formulation of an innovative investment structure based on iREIT waqf that is both practical and appealing to the widest pool of investors, and further contribute towards the development of the waqf sector.     Keywords: Waqf, iREITs, investment, profiling, Islamic financ

4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-thione

The title compound, 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-thione (1), was synthesized by a hetero-cyclization reaction of 4-chlorophenyl isothiocyanate and formic hydrazide. Compound 1 was characterized by a single-crystal X-ray structure determination as well as 1H and 13C{1H} NMR, IR, and UV spectroscopy, and microelemental analysis. X-ray crystallography on 1 confirms the molecule exists as the thione tautomer and shows the five-membered ring to be planar and to form a dihedral angle of 82.70(5)° with the appended chlorophenyl ring, indicating an almost orthogonal relationship. In the molecular packing, supramolecular dimers are formed via thioamide-N–H⋯S(thione) hydrogen bonds and these are connected by C=S⋯π(triazolyl) and C-Cl⋯π(triazolyl) interactions, leading to a three-dimensional architectur

Techno-Economic Feasibility to Generate Electricity by Using PSO Technique for the Urban City in Iraq: Case Study

For developing nations such as Iraq, electricity access in rural areas, especially those which are remote, is limited. Thus, the present study explores the electrical needs of the city of Zerbattiya, Iraq. The proposed system’s components include solar panels, wind turbines, diesel generators, and batteries. This research proposes a techno-economically feasible and optimal sizing for each component to generate electricity for the village. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was used in this research by using MATLAB. The ideal setting of a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) is achieved by considering the lowest possible COE with the highest reliability and possible value of renewable energy factors. Reliability is gauged on the basis of “loss of power supply probability†(LPSP). Results showed that the respective optimal values for NPV (30), NWT (30), NDG (3), NBT (281), COE (US$0.142), LPSP (0.002085), reliability (99.791) and renewable factors (21.42%). The findings further demonstrate that the algorithm was able to achieve optimal solutions to reduce overall cost, quickly and accurately. In conclusion, implementation of HRES was found to be an apt method of meeting electrical needs of remote rural areas, not only in Iraq, but also other developing nations with similar climates

Vitamin K status in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease stage 3-5 and its effects on chronic kidney disease - mineral bone disorder

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is common in Malaysia. Vitamin K deficiency among DKD patients may be associated with higher incidence of chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD). This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of vitamin K deficiency in diabetic patients with CKD stage 3-5. We also correlated vitamin K deficiency with baseline demographic, biochemical results and analysed the effects of vitamin K levels on CKD-MBD. This was a single centre cross-sectional study on diabetic patients with CKD stage 3-5. Demographic profiles were recorded, blood samples were measured for vitamin K level (phylloquinone, proteins induced by vitamin K absence II (PIVKA-II), prothrombin time) and bone markers (parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase, corrected calcium and phosphate). This study was approved by UKM ethic and research committee (FF-2018-375). Forty-five patients with a median age of 70 (IQR:13) years were recruited. Majority were females (53.3%) and Malays (64.4%). Prevalence of patients with insufficient vitamin K was 28.9 % based on the low level of phylloquinone (0.66 ng/mL) and 2.2% based on prolonged prothrombin time (>14.5 s). PIVKA-II was found to be positively correlated with serum creatinine and PTH levels. There were positive correlations between phylloquinone with serum triglyceride and total cholesterol. Prothrombin time was found to be negatively correlated with corrected calcium and total cholesterol. Malay race (p = 0.039) and high serum PTH (p = 0.016) were significantly associated with higher PIVKA-II concentrations. Multivariable analysis showed serum triglyceride (OR 0.112; CI 95 % (0.02-0.66); p = 0.017) and serum PTH (OR 1.997; CI 95 % (1.01-3.95); p = 0.047) were independent predictors for abnormal phylloquinone and PIVKA-II levels, respectively. In conclusion, the prevalence of Vitamin K deficiency was high in diabetic patients with CKD stage 3-5. Serum triglyceride and serum PTH were independent predictor of Vitamin K deficiency

Assessment of Risk Factors of Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Peptic Ulcer Disease

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a risk factor for peptic ulcer. There have been no studies addressing environmental and dietary risk factors in western India. We conducted a case control study enrolling peptic ulcer patients in Pune, India. Materials and Methods: Risk factors for peptic ulcer and H. pylori infection were assessed in a participant interview. H. pylori status was assessed from stool by monoclonal antigen detection. Results: We enrolled 190 peptic ulcer, 35 stomach cancer patients, and 125 controls. Fifty-one percent (180/350) of the participants were infected with H. pylori. Lower socioeconomic status (SES) [odds ratio (OR): 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.39], meat consumption (OR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.30-4.23), smoking (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.24-4.02), eating restaurant food (OR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.39-10.23), and drinking nonfiltered or nonboiled water (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.23) were risk factors for H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection (OR: 1.70, 95% CI:I. 03-2.89), meat (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02-1.75), fish (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.89) consumption, and a family history of ulcer (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.08-1.60) were risk factors for peptic ulcer. Consumption of chili peppers (OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.10-0.37) and parasite infestation (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.24-0.80) were protective against H. pylori infection. Conclusion: H. pylori infection is associated with peptic ulcer. Lower SES, consumption of restaurant food, meat, nonfiltered water, and smoking are risk factors for H. pylori. Consumption of meat, fish, and a family history of peptic ulcer are risk factors for peptic ulcer. Consumption of chili peppers and concurrent parasite infestation appear to be protective against H. pylori

Vaccine hesitancy toward the COVID-19 vaccine among the Malaysian population

COVID-19 is a potentially fatal infectious disease that requires effective vaccines to keep the outbreak under control. Despite the ongoing efforts for an effective vaccine, public hesitancy towards vaccines is now one of the main concerns to the global health in containing this global pandemic. Thus, this preliminary study was carried out to assess the degree of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the general public in Malaysia and to identify the underlying reasons for their hesitancy by using 5C psychological antecedents of vaccination. This study was conducted by carrying out a cross-sectional online survey for approximately two months between January to February 2021, involving 385 participants. The survey contained questions based on the 5C model proffered by WHO. The data from the survey were analyzed using Smart PLS 3 for statistical analysis, with the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). According to the findings, only 62.5 percent out of the 385 participants had planned to get the COVID-19 vaccine, while the remaining 37.5 percent did not. The results also showed that confidence, calculation, collective responsibility, and constraints had a significant influence on vaccine hesitancy but not complacency. There is a degree of vaccine hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccines among the Malaysian population, although the data that we have obtained cannot be used to generalize for the entire Malaysian population due to the small sample size. Thus, for the vaccination campaign to be more effective, it should focus more on addressing the issue relating to confidence, calculation, collective responsibility, and constraints and less on complacency

Aqueous phase reforming of sorbitol over sonosynthesized ca-doped ni supported on al2o3 and tio2 for production of value added chemicals

Production of value added chemicals derived from renewable carbohydrate such as sorbitol through the aqueous phase reforming is a promising technology. Aqueous phase reforming for industrial without highly effective and efficient catalyst in term of its operational lifetime and catalytic activity. Supported nickel catalyst has been identified have good selectivity of alcohols for aqueous phase reforming of sorbitol, and support such as Al2O3 and TiO2 has been identified as support which has good surface area and active sites. In this work, the effect of introducing the varying percentage of Ca (0%, 0.5%, 3% and 5%) as promoter onto 10% Ni supported on two potential catalyst support, TiO2 and Al2O3 have been investigated. The catalysts are prepared via the sonochemical method, where the catalysts are synthesized under ultrasonic irradiation for 45 minutes using ultrasonic probe at 90W using methods by Abdollahifar, et al. [1], where sonochemical method has discovered to enhance the dispersion of particles, improve surface area and increase the performance. The sonosynthesized catalysts were then subjected for characterization by using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Xray Powder Diffractometer (XRD

Assessment of Risk Factors of Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Peptic Ulcer Disease

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a risk factor for peptic ulcer. There have been no studies addressing environmental and dietary risk factors in western India. We conducted a case control study enrolling peptic ulcer patients in Pune, India. Materials and Methods: Risk factors for peptic ulcer and H. pylori infection were assessed in a participant interview. H. pylori status was assessed from stool by monoclonal antigen detection. Results: We enrolled 190 peptic ulcer, 35 stomach cancer patients, and 125 controls. Fifty-one percent (180/350) of the participants were infected with H. pylori. Lower socioeconomic status (SES) [odds ratio (OR): 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.39], meat consumption (OR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.30-4.23), smoking (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.24-4.02), eating restaurant food (OR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.39-10.23), and drinking nonfiltered or nonboiled water (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.23) were risk factors for H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection (OR: 1.70, 95% CI:I. 03-2.89), meat (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02-1.75), fish (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.89) consumption, and a family history of ulcer (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.08-1.60) were risk factors for peptic ulcer. Consumption of chili peppers (OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.10-0.37) and parasite infestation (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.24-0.80) were protective against H. pylori infection. Conclusion: H. pylori infection is associated with peptic ulcer. Lower SES, consumption of restaurant food, meat, nonfiltered water, and smoking are risk factors for H. pylori. Consumption of meat, fish, and a family history of peptic ulcer are risk factors for peptic ulcer. Consumption of chili peppers and concurrent parasite infestation appear to be protective against H. pylori