Sustainable waste management via incineration system: an Islamic outlook for conservation of the environment

This paper would firstly examine solid waste management currently experienced in Malaysia with special concentration given to waste incineration. Its function and benefits entailed from this system shall then be identified. This paper attempts to emphasize this notion within the Islamic perspective, stressing on the needs to conserve the environment. This study adopts a qualitative approach where the conceptual authoritative literature in the related field is utilized based on content analysis. The related principles of Islamic jurisprudencecarefully examined along with the Quranic verses depicting on this issue This study further submits that incinerating waste could mitigate environmental impact that might otherwise arise from waste. Finally, it further concludes that Islam provides a concrete model of environmental ethics which is based on divine revelation that needs to be observed.Keywords: sustainable waste management; incineration system; environment conservation;Islamic jurisprudence principles

Finite Element Analysis of Stress-Strain Response at the Tool Pin During Friction Stir Process

AbstractFriction stir welding (FSW) is a relatively new solid-state joining process which is considered energy efficient, eco-friendly and versatile. High stress and strain occur at the rotating tool, consisting of a pin (probe) and a shoulder, during the friction stir process. The geometrical design of the tool has some impact in terms of stress and strain once static load is applied against the tool. In this work, specific stress can be found on the tool due to the plunging and travel process that is analysed using finite element method. In the present work, a steady state finite element stress analysis of friction stir welding was carried out using CATIA V5 software. The critical points of the FSW tool are located mainly on the edge between the shoulder and the pin, where a large amount of stress is found and further leads to failure or tool defects. This critical stress and strain can be reduced by enlarging the diameter size of the pin and increasing tool life

Parameter optimization of debinding injection moulded Ti-6Al-4V mix with palm stearin and polyethylene

Debinding process of injection moulded Ti-6Al-4V feedstock was divided into two parts: solvent debinding process to eliminate palm stearin (PS) and thermal pyrolysis to eliminate polyethylene (PE). Solvent debinding process used heptane at optimum temperature, 60°C to remove PS binder completely as temperature is the only parameter that can be optimized. Thermal pyrolysis parameters for removal of PE binder from the injected 65vol% Ti-6Al-4V feedstock have been optimized by using Taguchi method. Heating rate, temperature and time were the selected factors during experiment to be applied in the L9(34) Taguchi orthogonal array (OA) to find the best set of parameters to produce highest density of brown part. Thermal pyrolysis process was done at optimum parameters: heating rate: 5°C/min; temperature: 510°C; and time: 90 minutes. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to find the best signal to noise ratio (S/N) to express the contribution of the factors towards quality characteristic. Based on the results, heating rate has the greatest contribution (54.63%), followed by duration time of thermal pyrolysis (24.40%) and temperature (19.25%)

Individually-tailored multifactorial intervention to reduce falls in the Malaysian Falls Assessment and Intervention Trial (MyFAIT): A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of an individually-tailored multifactorial intervention in reducing falls among at risk older adult fallers in a multi-ethnic, middle-income nation in South-East Asia. Design: Pragmatic, randomized-controlled trial. Setting: Emergency room, medical outpatient and primary care clinic in a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Participants: Individuals aged 65 years and above with two or more falls or one injurious fall in the past 12 months. Intervention: Individually-tailored interventions, included a modified Otago exercise programme, HOMEFAST home hazards modification, visual intervention, cardiovascular intervention, medication review and falls education, was compared against a control group involving conventional treatment. Primary and secondary outcome measures: The primary outcome was any fall recurrence at 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were rate of fall and time to first fall. Results: Two hundred and sixty-eight participants (mean age 75.3 ±7.2 SD years, 67% women) were randomized to multifactorial intervention (n = 134) or convention treatment (n = 134). All participants in the intervention group received medication review and falls education, 92 (68%) were prescribed Otago exercises, 86 (64%) visual intervention, 64 (47%) home hazards modification and 51 (38%) cardiovascular intervention. Fall recurrence did not differ between intervention and control groups at 12-months [Risk Ratio, RR = 1.037 (95% CI 0.613–1.753)]. Rate of fall [RR = 1.155 (95% CI 0.846–1.576], time to first fall [Hazard Ratio, HR = 0.948 (95% CI 0.782–1.522)] and mortality rate [RR = 0.896 (95% CI 0.335–2.400)] did not differ between groups. Conclusion: Individually-tailored multifactorial intervention was ineffective as a strategy to reduce falls. Future research efforts are now required to develop culturally-appropriate and affordable methods of addressing this increasingly prominent public health issue in middle-income nations

Prediction of Cutting Force in End Milling of Inconel 718

This paper presents the effect of cutting parameters on the cutting force when machining Inconel 718. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used in the experiment, and a Box–Behnken design was employed to identify the cause and effect of the relationship between the four cutting parameters (cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut and width of cut) and cutting force. The ball-nose type of end mill with donwmill approach was maitained througout the experiment. The forces were measured using Kistler dynamometer during straight line machining strategy. The result shows that the radial depth of cut was the dominating factor controlling cutting force, it was followed by axial depth of cut and feed rate. The prediction cutting force model was developed with the average error between the predicted and actual cutting force was less than 3

Giant Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid: a case report and review of the literature

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous tumor and cases located in the eyelid have been described, but still its rarity may lead to difficulty in diagnosis and delay in treatment. A 51-year-old female patient that presented with large lesions in the eyelid underwent surgery after the diagnosis of acute chalazion. Following respiratory distress secondary to pulmonary metastasis, the patient's condition deteriorated and was not fit for complete excision treatment. Histopathological investigation of the biopsies, taken from the tumor, revealed that it was undifferentiated small cell carcinoma. Our aim with this paper is to point out that more cases should be reported for more effective diagnosis, histopathological study, clinical investigation, treatment and prognosis of this specific neoplasm

The national portfolio for postgraduate family medicine training in South Africa : a descriptive study of acceptability, educational impact, and usefulness for assessment

Background: Since 2007 a portfolio of learning has become a requirement for assessment of postgraduate family medicine training by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa. A uniform portfolio of learning has been developed and content validity established among the eight postgraduate programmes. The aim of this study was to investigate the portfolio's acceptability, educational impact, and perceived usefulness for assessment of competence. Methods: Two structured questionnaires of 35 closed and open-ended questions were delivered to 53 family physician supervisors and 48 registrars who had used the portfolio. Categorical and nominal/ordinal data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics. The open-ended questions were analysed with ATLAS.ti software. Results: Half of registrars did not find the portfolio clear, practical or feasible. Workshops on portfolio use, learning, and supervision were supported, and brief dedicated time daily for reflection and writing. Most supervisors felt the portfolio reflected an accurate picture of learning, but just over half of registrars agreed. While the portfolio helped with reflection on learning, participants were less convinced about how it helped them plan further learning. Supervisors graded most rotations, suggesting understanding the summative aspect, while only 61% of registrars reflected on rotations, suggesting the formative aspects are not yet optimally utilised. Poor feedback, the need for protected academic time, and pressure of service delivery impacting negatively on learning. Conclusion: This first introduction of a national portfolio for postgraduate training in family medicine in South Africa faces challenges similar to those in other countries. Acceptability of the portfolio relates to a clear purpose and guide, flexible format with tools available in the workplace, and appreciating the changing educational environment from university-based to national assessments. The role of the supervisor in direct observations of the registrar and dedicated educational meetings, giving feedback and support, cannot be overemphasized