Properties Of Silver-Filled Epoxy Composites For Electronic Application Using Synthesized And Commercial Silver Nanoparticles

In this research, silver nanoparticles (SAgNPs) were synthesized by chemical reduction method while trisodium citrate and ascorbic acid were used as reducing agent and stabilizing agent, respectively. The effect of silver salt, reducing agent and stabilizing agent’s concentration were analyzed by TEM, SEM, EDX, XRD and UV-vis. Due to very low yield in obtaining SAgNP through synthesis route, composite sample was prepared in thin film form and compared with commercial silver; e.g. silver nanoparticles (CAgNPs) and silver flakes (CAgFs). The aims of this research are to study the effect of processing techniques, sizes and shapes of filler, hybrid between nano and micron size of Ag filler and filler treatment on electrical, mechanical

Examining 'colocalization': succession, segregation and Contestation of foreign workers and local residents within the Urban and peri-urban areas of Penang, Malaysia.

Studies on colocalization of industry firms and the benefits it derived to diversified economic regions have been made by nany. However, the issues on colocalization - or coexistence and integration - of foreign workers with local residents in diversified economic regions, is less studied, particularly in Malaysia. This research poses question on the extent to which foreign workers in Malaysia integrate with local residents; and factors that encourage integration between them. The objective is to investigate the coexistence and integration of foreign workers with local residents, and their positive contributions to social, economic and cultural development. Residential areas in urban and peri-urban Penang were chosen as study sites. 108 local residents and 109 foreign workers were selected for a questionnaire survey, and 30 involved in detailed study. Respondents were chosen using stratified random, purposive and convenient sampling. Respondents of local residents were Malaysian Malay, Chinese and Indian, meanwhile respondents for foreign workers involved IndoneSians, Bangladeshis, Nepalese, Burmese, Vietnamese, Pakistanis, etc. Frequency data was tabulated; jowever the understanding of colocalization patterns and processes were only achieved using qualitative information that were gathered from detailed, informal interviews and participant observation.There are 'silent' segregation, contestation and competition among the two groups. Genuine social integration between them is difficult to achieve, however, a relatively straightforward integration is evident between nationals that share similar social and cultural ylements, such as belief and language. Belief or language led to similarities in everyday behavior, attitude and perception, thus promote better social interaction amongst them. Therefore such similarities offer the opportunities for integration, which advanced to healthy economic, social and cultural landscapes in urban and peri-urban regions of Penang, Malaysia

Dataset on physicochemical properties of particle-sized moringa oleifera seed cake and its application as bio-coagulants in water treatment application

The dataset provided information about on the phytochemical and mineral composition of investigation Moringa oleifera cake residue used for the bio-coagulation of water for drinking. Four sets of mass spectrometric methods viz; Gas Chromatography Mass- Spectrometer (GC–MS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), LC-MS-Quadrupled time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/QToF), X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF). The three spectrometry approaches provided a blueprint and basis for future investigation on the physicochemical properties of Moringa oleifera in an eco-friendly water treatment process

Social accessibility of Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia among low income group in urban Penang, Malaysia

With increasingly higher cost of living in urban areas, various strategies have been undertaken to ease the financial burden, especially of the low income population residing in urban areas. The Malaysian Government, for example, has launched an affordable community shop program, known as Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M), that sells goods with quality comparable to those available at supermarkets or other retail stores but priced at 30 to 40 percent cheaper than the latter. However, previous studies have shown that these stores are less popular among the low income population as their locations are less accessible. There is also the stigma of being associated with poor migrant workers. This study takes into consideration distance as a factor in shopping at KR1M. Therefore it aims to investigate whether stigma has hindered low income population from shopping at KR1M. A quantitative survey was conducted on 57 households of Flat Taman Seri Pinang, Teluk Air Tawar, Butterworth, Pulau Pinang, which is located approximately 290 metres away from the KR1M. The findings indicated that the majority of low income respondents, with monthly household income ranging between RM1,001 and RM2,000 did visit KR1M. Furthermore, more than 60 per cent of the respondents strongly disagreed that stigma has led them to be ashamed of shopping at KR1M. The findings indicated that most of the respondents would choose to shop at the nearest groceries stores Thus, in planning for more KR1M in the future, location should be taken into consideration to make it more accessible to the targeted group

Impact Modified Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber/Poly(Lactic) Acid Composite

In this study, composites were fabricated from oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber and poly(lactic) acid by extrusionn followed by injection moulding. Surface of the fiber was pre-treated by ultrasound in an alkali medium and treatment efficiency was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and Fourier transforms infrared spectrometer (FTIR). Effect of fiber treatment on composite was characterized by tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM) and impact strength (IS). Furthermore, biostrong impact modifier was incorporated into the treated fiber composite to improve its impact properties. Mechanical testing showed an improvement of up to 23.5% and 33.6% respectively for TS and TM of treated fiber composite above untreated fiber composite. On the other hand incorporation of impact modifier led to enhancement of about 20% above the initial IS of the treated fiber composite

Thermal and morphological properties of polyhydroxyalkanoate / nanosilver composite

Conventional plastic can lead to endless pollution as it took millions of years to be disposed of, hence an alternative to using biodegradable plastic replacing regular everyday plastic has highly participated. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) have the characteristics of a biodegradable plastic however, it exhibits low heat distortion temperature. The objective of this research is to investigate the effect of nanosilver additions on the thermal properties of the PHA composite and its morphology behavior. Initially,4 wt/v of PHA was dissolved into 30mL dichloromethane at room temperature. After that, the nanosilver particle was added with 10mL dichloromethane and it was ultrasonicated at 10 minutes. Ultrasonicated nanosilver in dichloromethane mixture was mixed with PHA in dichloromethane for 20 minutes using a magnetic stirrer. Then, thin polymeric films with a thickness of 10 µm were obtained by the solution casting method. The obtained films were then carefully dried at room temperature for 24 hours. These steps were repeated with the addition of 0.25 wt% and 0.5wt% nanosilver suspension in dichloromethane to PHA solution. The thermal properties and morphology analysis of PHA/nanosilver composite will be investigated using thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Based on thermal properties, PHA/0.5wt% nanosilver has shown a lower onset temperature compared to the pure PHA. This indicates that PHA/0.5wt% nanosilver has a slower degradation rate and higher thermal stability. In conclusion, nanosilver has greatly improved PHA properties into promising biodegradable plastics

The Well-Being Of Female Headed Households In Rural And Urban Areas : A Case Study In North-Western Malaysia

Past research have indicated that households headed by women are usually poor compared to their male counterparts. This is due to insufficient sources and lack of land, skill or education which can help ensure a good life

Malaysia towards an ageing country

An increase in the number of the elderly population (aged 60 and above) is a global phenomenon, specifically in the developed and developing countries. This is due to development in terms of socioeconomic status such as improved education, healthcare, employment, increasing life expectancy, as well as decreasing fertility and mortality rate of these countries. In fact, Malaysia also has had an increase in population growth and will become an ageing country by 2030. Statistics show that there is an increase in the number of elders aged 60 and above, while the percentage of the young people aged 14 and below decreases over the years. The growing number of elders results in socioeconomic and political issues in these countries due to healthcare costs, as well as economic, physical, and social support from family members, community and policymakers in terms of living arrangements. This article will discuss about some policies and planning with regards to the elders, but the author shall focus on policies and planning related elderly support from their family, especially from the children. This article secondary sources such as previous studies, statistical data on the improvement of the elders, newspapers and official websites. It is aimed to help the Malaysian government in reviewing the current policies and further focus on strategies and plans that require the children to support their elders and prevent the issue of elderly neglect as being highlighted in the news

Evaluation of Tourism Policies in Relation to Ecotourism in Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Jaffna District is situated in the northern part of Sri Lanka and the tourism sector is being promoted in post war development. Jaffna has opportunities and potentials for ecotourism development. Presently, national, provincial and district level plans have been prepared to promote tourism in Jaffna District. However, there are lacks of initiatives related with ecotourism development in this region. This study focuses on the evaluation of the extent to which these tourism plans encourage ecotourism development in the Jaffna district. Primary and secondary data have been used in this study. The main method is content analysis of these plans. Results of the analysis showed that the initiatives on ecotourism have not been promoted based on true ecotourism concepts in all three documents. While comparing the three policy documents, which give certain focus on ecotourism development. But it does not adequately define ecotourism zones, resources, regulations and responsibilities. At this juncture, well prepared ecotourism policy is very vital to Jaffna district for the conservation and enhancement of the environmental attributes, local people wellbeing as well as regional development. This study recommends that it is high time to study the ecotourism potentials of Jaffna District in detail, put in place regulations to encourage ecotourism, conserve the environment and ecotourism attractions, provide intensive training to stakeholders, and increase the awareness and involvement of local communities in the development of ecotourism in the study area

Difusi ruangan budaya transeksualisme dan imaginasi geografi pelajar lelaki berpenampilan silang di universiti tempatan Malaysia.

Fenomena transeksual semakin ketara dalam masyarakat Malaysia pada hari ini, termasuk di kalangan pelajar lelaki universiti. Sehubungan dengan itu, artikel ini bertujuan untuk memeriksa dan membincangkan proses difusi ruangan budaya dan imaginasi geografi pelajar lelaki transeksual di universiti tempatan Malaysia. Satu kajian telah dijalankan ke atas 80 orang pelajar lelaki berpenampilan silang di empat buah universiti pada 2007-2009. Mereka dipilih menggunakan teknik persampelan purposive dan snowball, manakala maklumat kualitatif telah dikumpul menggunakan temubual mendalam dan pemerhatian ikut serta. Kajian ini mendapati peranan rakan dan media sangat penting dalam penyebaran budaya transeksual di kalangan responden. Manakala imaginasi dan identifikasi yang diberikan oleh responden terhadap diri mereka, iaitu sebagai wanita, memudahkan mereka menerima gaya hidup transeksual. Kajian ini menyumbang kepada pengetahuan tentang peranan difusi ruangan budaya dan imaginasi geografi dalam menghasilkan pandang darat sosial dan identiti sosial baru di Malaysi