Achievement Motivation Training for University Students: Effects on Affective and Cognitive Achievement Motivation.

This study investigated the effectiveness of an achievement motivation training in increasing the level of achievement motivation of university students. An achievement motivation training was designed to include the teaching of achievement motivation, self-study, planning and goal-setting and motivational garnes. The subjects were 188 second and third year Arts students from a local university selected on their achievement motivation scores measured by the Thematic Apperception Test. The subjects (N=188) were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The achievement motivation group was given the achievement motivation training, the discussion group was given an alternative treatment and the control group was not given any treatment.The results indicated that the group which received the achievement motivation training demonstrated a significant increase in the affective aspect of achievement motivation (p <.05) compared to the discussion group and the control group. The achievement motivation group also showed a significant increase in the cognitive aspect of achievement motivation (p <.05) compared to the discussion group and the control group

Achievement Motivation of University Students

The achievement motivation of 1050 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia students was measured in relation to faculty and year of study, ethnic group, gender and place of origin. Three other dependent variables, locus of control, attitude towards learning and study habits, were also examined. The tests used were the thematic apperception test, Rotter's internal and external scale, the attitude scale and the study scale. The results showed that there were significant differences in achievement motivation among students based on faculty (F (5,939) = 13.39, P < .05), year of suldy (F (1,939 = 4.55, P < .05) and ethnic group (F (2,939) = 6.58, P < .05). On locus of control, it was found that male students were more internal than female students (F (1,876) = 7.22, P < .05). Significant differences were also found in attitudes of subjects in relation to ethnic group (F (2,828)= 9.93, P < .05), year of study (F (1,828) = 5.03, P < .05) and faculty (F (1,888) = 8.18, P < .05)

Thermoluminescence properties of nanostructured calcium borate as a sensitive radiation dosimeter for high radiation doses

The crystalline calcium tetraborate (CaB4O7) nanoparticles were synthesized using a combination of facile co-precipitation and thermal treatment. The synthesized phosphor nanoparticles were found to possess a monoclinic nanostructure of particle size of about 8 nm. The thermoluminescence (TL) glow curve of the nanoparticles shows a single peak centred at about 150°C. The TL nanophosphor revealed an excellent dosimetric response with a respectable linearity in the dose range of 0.05 to 1000 Gy, which is wider than its counterparts prepared by non nanosynthesis methods. They exhibited good luminescence efficiency and wide range linearity, suggesting the present phosphor nanoparticles may be considered as a suitable candidate for the dosimetric applications

Weathering product of granite as a possible source of strategic mineral

Several soil samples and granite bedrock samples from Cameron Highlands were analyzed for its elemental concentration using instrumental neutron activation analysis. A total of 34 elements were identified and their concentrations were determined in a single analytical session. Enrichment factor of elemental concentration in the top soil were computed. The findings indicate certain elements were enriched that may facilitates economic beneficiation

Food Quality Attributes among Malaysia’s Fast Food Customer

This paper examines the attributes which influence customers’ decisions to purchase fast food products in Malaysia. Despite vague definition of the ‘quality’ term by each individual, this study takes a step in determining the customer’s significant quality attributes towards the overall food quality dimensions. The findings of the study indicated that generally Malaysian consumers place relatively high level of importance on food freshness, followed by presentation and taste of the food. However, less importance is being placed on innovative food that indirectly could have minimal effect in the customers’ behavioral intention towards fast food products. Customers are seen more interested in the output’ (which is the end product) rather than ‘input’ (which is raw materials used in producing the foods) of food. Hence, this study is expected to contribute to the existing knowledge on the dimension of consumer purchase intention to the industry players, as well as academicians. Future research should focus on the similar study with the extended scope to other fast food restaurants in Malaysia. By doing this, hopefully we can get a clearer picture on the existing as well as explore new variables which can further contribute to the topic of the study. Key words: Freshness; Presentation; Taste; Innovative Food; Fast Food Restauran

Influence of dose on particle size of colloidal silver nanoparticles synthesized by gamma radiation.

Colloidal silver nanoparticles were synthesized by γ-irradiation-induced reduction method of an aqueous solution containing silver nitrate as a precursor in various concentrations between 7.40×10−4 and 1.84×10−3 M, polyvinyl pyrrolidone for capping colloidal nanoparticles, isopropanol as radical scavenger of hydroxyl radicals and deionised water as a solvent. The irradiations were carried out in a 60Co γ source chamber at doses up to 70 kGy. The optical absorption spectra were measured using UV–vis spectrophotometer and used to study the particle distribution and electronic structure of silver nanoparticles. As the radiation dose increases from 10 to 70 kGy, the absorption intensity increases with increasing dose. The absorption peak λmax blue shifted from 410 to 403 nm correspond to the increase of absorption conduction electron energy from 3.02 to 3.08 eV, indicating the particle size decreases with increasing dose. The particle size was determined by photon cross correlation spectroscopy and the results showed that the particle diameter decreases exponentially with the increase of dose. The transmission electron microscopy images were taken at doses of 20 and 60 kGy and the results confirmed that as the dose increases the diameter of colloidal silver nanoparticle decreases and the particle distribution increases

Numerical Ranges of Powers of Operators

We study the relations between a Hilbert space operator and the numerical ranges of its powers in this thesis. Let β(ℋ) denote the set of bounded linear operators on a complex Hilbert space. For T ∈ β(ℋ), let σ(T) and W(T) denote its spectrum and numerical range, respectively. The following are proved using von Neumann's theory of spectral sets: (i) σ(T) ⊂ (γ,∞) with γ > 0 and if T is not self-adjoint, then there is an index N such that {z ∈ ℂ : |z| &#8804; γn} ⊂ W(Tn) whenever n ≥ N (ii) Tn is accretive, n = 1, 2, ..., k, if and only if the closed sector {z ∈ ℂ : |Arg z| &#8804; π/2k} ⋃ {0} is spectral for T. In this case ∥ImTx∥ &#8804; tan(π/2k) ∥ReTx∥ for each x ∈ ℋ. (i) remains valid if we replace Tn by TnD, where D is a surjective operator commuting with T. Various situations in which the commutativity assumption is relaxed are examined. A theorem for finite dimensional matrices by C. R. Johnson is generalized to the operator case: If ∉ Cl(W(Tn)), n = 1, 2, 3, ..., then an odd power of T is normal. Furthermore, if T is a convexoid, then T itself is normal; in fact, T is the direct sum of at most three rotated positive operators. Using these results, we prove: Let T ∈ β(ℋ), ℋ infinite dimensional and separable. If Tn ∉ {Y ∈ β(ℋ) : Y = AX - XA, A,X ∈ β(ℋ), A positive}, n = 1, 2, 3, ..., then there is an odd integer m and a compact operator Ko such that Tm + Ko is normal. Moreover, T is a normal plus a compact if and only if ∩ {Cl(W(T + K)) : K compact} is a closed polygon (possibly degenerate).</p

Distribution of underwriting surplus and investment profit from Tabarru’ fund: Shariah contracts applied and current market practice

Takaful is a contract whereby the participants commit to contribute an amount on regular basis or in one lump sum in a specified fund to mutually guarantee each other and appoint a body to act as the fund manager. In this contract, takaful participants have the opportunity to mitigate the possible financial risk that their families might encounter in case a misfortune happens to them. The contribution then will be placed into respective participant’s account or also known as Participants’ Investment Fund (PIF). The fund manager, i.e. takaful operator will drip from every PIF certain amount on the basis of donation into a collective Participants’ Risk Fund (PRF). Tabarru’ is Arabic word which means donation and due to the nature of PRF, it’s widely known in Islamic Finance as Tabarru’ Fund. Tabarru’ Fund is a separate entity from Takaful operator and participants, but t ownership remains with the participants. Being a fund, some money in it will be invested and would possibly realize investment profit. At the same time, with proper management of the Tabarru’ Fund, it might produce underwriting surplus after payment of claims at the end of financial year. There are several Shariah views and methods on the treatment of the investment profit and underwriting surplus generated from the fund. These views differ from one another depending on the contract adopted, which ultimately would define the permissibility of sharing the surplus between related parties. In Malaysia, the sharing of underwriting surplus is allowed according to the Shariah resolution passed by Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia) subject to certain guidelines. All eleven Takaful operators in Malaysia have different practices in distributing the surplus and profit with respect to Shariah contracts applied and operational treatments. This research will study these differences and provide recommendations on the identified issues

Superconducting properties of Y(Ba1-xCax)2Cu3O7-δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) system

A series of polycrystalline compounds with a nominal composition of Y(Ba1‐xCax)2Cu3O7−δ (0⩽x⩽0.05) had been synthesized using solid state reaction method. Crystal structure of those samples was characterized by Rietveld refinement on the x‐ray powder diffraction data. It was found that the structural parameters were not changed appreciably with Ca content in Y(Ba1‐xCax)2Cu3O7−δ. While c‐axis remained almost unchanged, both a and b axes decreased slightly leading to the decrease in orthorhombicity of Y‐123 phase. The superconducting transition temperature, Tc was determined by measuring the change of electrical resistance versus temperature (50 K–300 K) using a four point probe technique. The Tc was observed to decrease gradually by Ca doping from 91 K for x = 0.00 to 88 K for x = 0.05 attributable to oxygen vacancy disorder. In addition, the superconducting transition breadth, ΔT, increased with Ca doping because of degraded crystallinity or inhomogeneity of the samples. Finally, scanning electron micrographs indicated grain growth induced by Ca doping