Study of a low temperature waste heat driven sorption chiller

With deeper concern regarding global warming problem, a growing interest has been given to adsorption chiller. It acts as a replacement to conventional air-conditioning unit that occupy high usage of electricity from fossil fuelled power plant. In order to make sure that the chiller is functional for all-year-round, the heat source need to be lowered down to compensate for the varying rainy and hot seasons in Malaysia. Therefore multi-staging the chiller is required so that the chiller is able to operate in a low temperature heat source. This paper aims to study the effects of two stages four-bed adsorption chiller of silica gel-water pair based on the cooling capacity, coefficient of performance (COP), cycle time, and temperature profiles. It is highlighted that the adsorbent-refrigerant pair used in this system is of silica gel and water for numerous advantageous reasons. Mathematical equation of the model comprises of adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics, isosteric heat of adsorption, energy balance for condenser, evaporator and the system beds is analysed respectively. Simulation method is applied to solve the problem using MATLAB programming in order to achieve the performance of the two-stage four-bed chiller. Results indicated that the system is able to operate below 60°C. With heat source temperature of 55°C, cooling water of 30°C and chilled water running at 14°C, the COP of the system achieved is around 0.24

Educational Views of Ibnu Sina

Some crucial questions have been raised in recent decades about the true Islamic education: its aim, underlying philosophy and assumptions, value system and the most serious question is how to integrate the dualistic and contradictory systems of education in order to solve the problem of dualism or bifurcation faced by the Ummah in this present day. Some Muslim scholars suggest that the pre-requisites of being excellent in this world and the hereafter is to go back to al-Quran and al- Sunnah. Unfortunately, the views of the Islamic scholars on Islamic education have been neglected due to domination of western elements and modern ideas. Therefore, it is a great need for us to examine the previous Muslim philosophers’ views and contributions. For the purpose of discussing Muslim philosopher’s view of education, Ibn Sina’s concepts and ideas concerning education which was derived from some philosophical and epistemological domains has been analysed. An extensive documentary analysis was made for this purpose, while previous literatures of Ibnu Sina’s were referred to. A ‘biographical’ works were made which refers to a work that draws on whatever materials are available to Ibnu Sina’s to represent an account of his life and achievements. Narrative analysis is used to elicit results and a comparative analysis of this philosopher with Western thinker such as Aristotle and John Dewey was also ensued. It is hoped that, this would explain Ibn Sina’s genuineness in developing knowledge in accordance with al-Quran and al- Sunnah and his contribution to the contemporary educational system

Exploring single parenting process in Malaysia: issues and coping strategies

Parents play a significant role in shaping the emotional and personality development of their children. However, single parents encounter double major roles, i.e. the parenting role and the role of a sole breadwinner for their family. This double role, leads a single working mother into having social and psychological problems. Previous studies reported occurrences of depression and emotional distress among children of single parents, high risks of school drop-outs, substance abuse, premarital sex and teenage pregnancies as well as neglected children. Single parents were found physically, mentally and emotionally unprepared which lead to a collapse of the family structure. Hence, through series of interviews, we explored and validated the coping strategies adopted by a sample of single Malay working widows and divorcees. The result of this study as well as previous studies indicated the importance of social support system in helping the single Malay working women effectively. © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Keywords: Single parenting process, Coping Strategies, Single working women, Support System, Stakeholders, Counselin

Study of a low temperature waste heat driven sorption chiller

With deeper concern regarding global warming problem, a growing interest has been given to adsorption chiller. It acts as a replacement to conventional air-conditioning unit that occupy high usage of electricity from fossil fuelled power plant. In order to make sure that the chiller is functional for all-year-round, the heat source need to be lowered down to compensate for the varying rainy and hot seasons in Malaysia. Therefore multi-staging the chiller is required so that the chiller is able to operate in a low temperature heat source. This paper aims to study the effects of two stages four-bed adsorption chiller of silica gel-water pair based on the cooling capacity, coefficient of performance (COP), cycle time, and temperature profiles. It is highlighted that the adsorbent-refrigerant pair used in this system is of silica gel and water for numerous advantageous reasons. Mathematical equation of the model comprises of adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics, isosteric heat of adsorption, energy balance for condenser, evaporator and the system beds is analysed respectively. Simulation method is applied to solve the problem using MATLAB programming in order to achieve the performance of the two-stage four-bed chiller. Results indicated that the system is able to operate below 60°C. With heat source temperature of 55°C, cooling water of 30°C and chilled water running at 14°C, the COP of the system achieved is around 0.24

Defoliation of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat) cv. Reagan Sunny for improved flowering and cut flower quality

The effects of different levels of defoliation i.e. 0 (control), 20, 40, 60 and 80% at visible floral bud stage on growth, flowering and cut flower quality of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) cv. Reagan Sunny were investigated. Plant height was only reduced by 5% at the highest level of defoliation, whereas the stem diameter was not affected. The time of floral bud break (showing colour), was delayed as level of defoliation increased. However, time of floral bud break within a plant was more synchronised. The spray diameter was reduced and vase life was increased by defoliation up to 60%. Both contributed to better cut flower quality. Other quality parameters such as flower size and stem diameter were not markedly affected. Total fresh and dry weights were linearly decreased with level of defoliation. There was a change in dry matter distribution, in which more dry matter was partitioned to the structural parts i.e. the stems and flower stalks as level of defoliation increased. There was no change on dry matter partitioning to flowers by defoliation. Defoliation at 60% can be the compromised level for cv. Reagan Sunny grown under high temperature environment

ACADEMIC CRIME FOR HUMANITIES: SOME NOTES ON LOGICAL PERCEPTION OF ANTI-HADITH GROUP MOVEMENT

Purpose of this study: This article discusses the basic principles that must be possessed by Muslim scholars to understand knowledge and its sources. The term ‘academic crime’ generally refers to the conduct of a few university lecturers, who violate the ethics and good practices of the teaching profession through the misappropriation of powers or by making false claims. However, academic crimes can also be classified as frauds in publications. Indeed, the ability to reason is one of the things that a person possesses. Nevertheless, it is not absolute, because the Quran and hadith are on the topmost. Methodology: This study uses the qualitative method and finds excessive rationality by the Anti-Hadith Group (AHG), leading them into a crime, i.e., rejection of the hadith as one of the sources of Islamic law. Findings: The revelation is believed to be true even though it contains metaphysics (al-ghaibiyyat) that cannot be logically explained. Furthermore, in rejecting hadith, the AHG often uses the contradictions between the hadith and the current perspective of life in modern times. Novelty of study: It is a very serious phenomenon and needs to be dealt with appropriately. This is because arguing rationally as advocated by those who reject the hadith seems very strong and effective in giving the illusion of hadith flaws to the humanity, while it is not so in reality

Enhancing Moral Awareness for Racial Unity Through Islamic and Asian Civilization Course (TITAS): An Empirical Research from Non-Muslim Students’ Perspective

This article attempted to investigate the significance of the Islamic and Asian Civilization Course (TITAS) according to the point of view of non-Muslim students to form a harmonious view towards Islam besides forming and cultivating racial unity in Malaysia. This study was also conducted with expectations that TITAS will be the impetus to create moral awareness amongst non-Muslim students towards Islam and Muslims other than giving ideas that multiracial is assimilable through TITAS. This matter was aligned with the objective of the Islamic Civilization study for non-Muslim students and the goals of TITAS introduced in 1983. This study was conducted using a quantitative approach involving 203 non-Muslim students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris as the study sample. The mean was 3.81 which depicts a high-level achievement of the goals and objectives of TITAS. This showed that TITAS was able and managed to predispose moral awareness amongst non-Muslim students towards Islam and Muslims. It is also proposed that TITAS continues to be maintained as the mainstream syllabus beyond the pre-university level

Upward influence strategies: relationship with academics' career advancement

Often times, in academia world, academics report to superiors who are not from similar backgrounds and do not share the same standards, points of view or needs. Hence, to be effective, any particular academic staff must understand that upward power is partly based on the ability and willingness to use influence tactics. The aim of this paper is to provide an in-depth analysis of the relationship between upward influence strategies and employees’ career success. All three dimensions of upward influence strategies i.e. soft, hard and rational tactics have different effects towards career progression due to the nature of the tactics. The paper argues that career advancement, assuming that all other factors are equal, is a very subjective matter which lies upon three main influencing factors of ingratiation, assertiveness and reasoning

Intelectual capital Islamic work ethics and the performance of Bumiputera small and medium enterprises (SMES) experts views / Sakinah Mat Zin ...[et al.]

Despite numerous efforts initiated by Malaysian government, Bumiputera entrepreneurs are still considered as incapable to compete with other groups in realizing business success. This study seeks to examine the intellectual capital (IC) and Islamic work ethics (IWE) that contribute to higher performance of SMEs among Bumiputera in Malaysia. In doing so, the measurement instruments are developed based on previous literature reviews and refined by expert validation. Informal interviews were held individually with 13 experts with the aims of gaining relevant and insightful information for IC, IWE and business performance cohesion. From a pilot study of 49 Bumiputera SME entrepreneurs, the findings indicate that intellectual capital components and Islamic work ethics are vital for performance management practices in the firm. Contribution/ Originality: Theoretically, this study generalizes intellectual capital and Islamic work ethics in SME setting and is a preliminary impetus for exploring Bumiputera intellectual capital, Islamic work ethics and business performance. Practically, it provides valuable references for entrepreneurs, giving a prioritized array of crucial resources that allows Bumiputera SMEs to sustain the competitive advantage