Educational Transition in Self-Directed Learning amongst Selected Adult Distance Learners of Universiti Putra Malaysia

The need to change and employ the necessary learning skills are essential for successful learning considering their other responsibilities in life which is part and parcel of being an adult learner. One solution is for the adult learners to undergo an educational transition from the earlier mindset to the needs of the current environment and to be self-directed in their learning thus assuming the responsibility for their own learning by building and employing the necessary skills to deliver the desired results in learning. This study examined the educational transition in self-directed learning by looking at the respondents’ prior beliefs, the phases that they went through as adult distance-learners at the Universiti Putra Malaysia. The study was guided by three research questions: (1) What were the learners’ prior beliefs about learning? (2) How do adult distance-learners experience the phases of self-directed learning? and (3) How do they employ self-directed learning as adult distance-learners? A qualitative research design was employed for this study which was deemed appropriate, given the research questions which were to obtain a view into the respondents’ life-worlds and to understand their personal meanings constructed from their life experiences. Data were primarily gathered through interviews on six selected respondents based on the criteria set by the researcher. Three conclusions were drawn from this study. First, adult learners do have a set of beliefs which are; learning would change their lives, mode of teaching and learning and also on their ability to face the challenges prior to their engagement as adult distance-learners at the Universiti Putra Malaysia. Second, adult distance-learners went through five different phases of learning to be self-directed which includes the phases of disorientation, exploration, transformation, adaptation before they are able to come to terms with learning as distance-learners or the reconciliation phase. Third, after going through the phases of learning, adult distance-learners do employ self-directed learning skills in their learning. The employment of skills such as personal diagnosis, communicative, resource identification and time management had helped adult distance-learners in their transition from being recipients to pursuers, seekers and creators of knowledge in a distance learning environment thus enhancing the successful completion o their learning endeavor

A Tribological Analysis of PAO-Based Hybrid SiO2-TiO2 Nanolubricants

Friction and wear are caused by contact between sliding surfaces over time. It is possible to reduce friction in a compressor by improving its lubrication. The nanoparticle lubrication will aid in reducing wear and friction of the piston mechanism of the compressor. This work aims to analyse the tribology properties of performance of the system employing Polyalphaolefin (PAO)-based hybrid nanolubricants. A two-step method was used to disperse SiO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles in the PAO lubricant at volume concentrations of 0.01% and 0.05% using a two-step method. Then, hybrid nanolubricants are observed visually, and their coefficient of friction (COF) is evaluated using a four-ball tribometer. The SiO2-TiO2/PAO hybrid nanolubricants were found to have a higher than 80% sedimentation ratio up to 180 hours and to be visually stable for up to 30 days. The 0.01% SiO2-TiO2/PAO has a lower COF than the base PAO 68 oil. The 0.05%, however, does not show the expected reduction. The COF ratio for volume concentrations of 0.01% and 0.05% is 0.97 and 1.01, respectively. The highest COF reduction of nanolubricants was attained up to 2.53% at 0.01% volume concentration. Therefore, 0.01% SiO2-TiO2/PAO is the ideal condition for use and is recommended for further investigations

ETR 300 Tropical Taste Sdn. Bhd. / Mohd Ismail Paimin... [et al.]

Tropical Taste Sdn. Bhd. merupakan sebuah syarikat milik bumiputera yang mengeluarkan pelbagai kordial yang mempunyai pelbagai perisa seperti perisa laici, oren, jambu batu, ciku, nenas dan mangga. Syarikat ini menyewa bangunan yang bertempat di Jejawi, Perlis. Syarikat ini memulakan operasinya pada 1 Januari 2000. Syarikat ini menjalankan proses pengeluaran kordial serta pemasaran kordial kepada pemborong-pemborong, peruncit-peruncit dan penduduk-penduduk tempatan. Syarikat ini juga mengikat kontrak dengan beberapa buah agensi kerajaan dan swasta di seluruh Malaysia bagi memasarkan keluaran mereka. Tropical Taste Sdn. Bhd. menceburi perniagaan ini memandangkan peluang yang luas dalam pasaran yang ada. Syarikat ini juga mempunyai masa depan yang cerah kerana tidak ramai bumiputera yang menceburi bidang ini

Tribological and residential air conditioning performance using SiO2-TiO2/PVE nanolubricant

Applying nanoparticles as an additive may increase the lubrication performance of the oil. The present paper evaluates the tribological performance of SiO2-TiO2 nanoparticles in PVE lubricant and its effect on the system's performance in residential air conditioning (RAC). The hybrid nanolubricants with a concentration from 0.003 to 0.01% at a 50:50 ratio were tested using the four-ball tribological method and then applied in a customised RAC test rig. The friction coefficient and wear scar diameter were evaluated to synthesise nanolubricant anti-wear effect on a paired surface. The coefficient of performance (COP), cooling capacity, power consumption, and energy efficiency ratio (EER) were analysed to understand the influence of SiO2-TiO2/PVE nanolubricant in the RAC system. About 25% reduction in frictional coefficient was discovered when the nanoparticles were added into lubricant with a concentration of 0.005%. Applying nanolubricant in the RAC system can reduce compressor work and power consumption, increase the refrigerant flow rate and cooling capacity, and increase the COP and EER. Maximum enhancement of 39.2% and 52.7% for COP and EER were found for nanolubricant at concentrations of 0.005%. The 0.005% concentration is the nanoparticle's concentration threshold for SiO2-TiO2/PVE, as the higher concentration may lead to the performance of a pure lubricant

Stability assessment of polyvinyl-ether-based TiO2, SiO2 and their hybrid nanolubricants

Poor characterisation of nanoparticle suspensions impedes the development of nanolubricants for use in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. Chemical treatment techniques, such as surfactants, are inappropriate for enhancing the stability of nanolubricants intended for use in vapour-compression refrigeration (VCR) systems. Prior to incorporating nanolubricants into the system, the stability of TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles dispersed in PVE was therefore investigated. The nanolubricants were prepared by a two-step method with the aid of an ultrasonication bath homogeniser. Visual observation and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometric analysis were used, and zeta potential analysis was then performed to confirm the nanolubricants’ stability condition. The TiO2/PVE nanolubricant was observed to be maintained at a 95% concentration ratio for up to 30 days of evaluation. The TiO2/PVE, SiO2/PVE, and SiO2-TiO2/PVE exhibited zeta potential values of 203.1 mV, 224.2 mV, and 105.3 mV, respectively, after 7 h of sonication. A high absolute value of zeta potential indicates that the electrostatic repulsive forces between nanoparticles are exceptionally strong, indicating an excellent stable suspension. The high values of zeta potentials validated the excellent stability conditions determined by UV–Vis analysis and visual observation. It can be concluded that ultrasonication times of 7 h produced the most stable state for mono- and hybrid nanolubricants

Domain Diri dalam Adab Guru Menurut Imam Abū Ḥanīfah (Kajian Ke Arah Membentuk Etika Profesion Perguruan Islam)

The rules of conduct for teachers is one of the important elements in Islamic education. It is closely associated with the effort to the realization of a quality education and an effective teaching. This article presents the personal domain in this topic as elaborated by Imam Abū Ḥanīfah in his educational treatises, namely al-‘Ālim wa al-Muta‘allim, Waṣiyyah Abī Ḥanīfah li Abī Yūsuf, Waṣiyyah Abū Ḥanīfah li Ibnihi Ḥammād, and Waṣiyyah Abū Ḥanīfah ilā Tilmīdhihi Yūsuf bin Khālid al-Samtī al-Baṣrī. The authors found that there are seven elements in personal domain suggested by Abū Ḥanīfah in his educational treatises. These elements namely, sincerely in learning and teaching; pay attention in improving the deeds of taqwa, worship, fasting and reciting al-Quran; plan wisely in managing time, avoiding less important matters, optimizing learning, and self-esteem; being aware of God’s attention, feeling the sufficiency of His gift, living in khauf (fear) and rajā ‘(hopefully) and kind thoughts about Him; keeping dignity and acting as a teacher by doing good things and be modest in every business; avoid bad and vain actions and always be enthusiastic in performing a job as a teacher. These elements are very important in teachers’ profession. This study is also intended to reveal this topic based on Islamic scholar thought in order to formulate the professional code of ethics for Islamic teachers and to solve ethical problems nowadays

Psychosocial reactions of injecting drug users'(IDU) towards needle syringe exchange program in Malaysia

Needle and Syringe Exchange Program (NSEP) had been a hot topic since it was introduced in Malaysia, especially looking at it in the context of an Islamic country. This qualitative research was exploratory oriented. It investigated the Injecting Drug Users' (IDU) psychosocial reaction towards NSEP. In-depth interviews using semi-structured questions were conducted on 13 injecting drug users at One Stop Centre IKHLAS, Kuala Lumpur. Generally, the respondents had positive views on NSEP. They perceived NSEP as a social agent which (1) promoted the usage of sterilized needles, (2) changed their way of access to sterilized needles, (3) saved IDUs expenses and (4) made innovative effort in reducing HIV/AIDS infection in Malaysia. In order to make NSEP a success in changing IDUs behavior and reduced the spread of HIV/AIDS, this program had to be sustained and its services had to be upgraded in attracting more IDUs to join the program

Penggunaan ICT dalam pengajaran bahasa Arab: kajian di sebuah pusat bahasa Arab

Kajian ini merupakan satu kajian deskriptif bagi meninjau penggunaan ICT di kalangan guru bahasa Arab di pusat bahasa UIAM. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah pemerhatian dan mengedarkan beberapa soalan kaji selidik di kalangan guru-guru bahasa Arab bagi mengetahui sejauh mana penggunaan ICT dalam pengajaran mereka. Data kajian dikumpul menggunakan soal selidik sebagai instrument yang diedarkan kepada 67 orang guru bahasa Arab di pusat bahasa Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM). Data yang dikumpulkan itu dianalisis menggunakan SPSS versi 11.0 untuk mendapatkan kekerapan, peratus, min dan sisihan piawai. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan penggunaan ICT di kalangan guru bahasa Arab berada pada tahap sederhana. Oleh itu, tindakan sewajarnya perlu diambil oleh pentadbir pusat bahasa untuk memastikan ICT diaplikasikan dengan sewajarnya dalam pengajaran bahasa Arab bersesuaian dengan perkembangan teknologi masa kini. Theme: Teaching Using IT/CAL

Sporadic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) in a 3-year-old girl: a diagnostic challenge

Introduction: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is an uncommon malignant neoplasm of childhood with unfavourable prognosis. Only a limited number of cases have been reported in children less than 12 years of age, and approximately one-half arise from a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumour, especially in the background of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Primary MPNST in children is even rarer. Case report: A 3-year-old Malay girl presented with painful right axillary swelling for six months, initially treated as axillary lymphadenitis and she defaulted follow up. She came back four months later with enlargement of the swelling. The previous biopsy was reported as Schwannoma, which correlates with a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumour’s MRI findings. The final diagnosis after debulking surgery was consistent with MPNST. She succumbed to death 20 months after her initial diagnosis of advanced MPNST and lung metastasis. Pathological findings: Grossly, a huge partly circumscribed soft tissue mass was noted arising from a nerve with a solid greyish yellowish myxoid cut surface. Spindle-shaped cells arranged in a herringbone pattern alternated with areas of myxoid hypocellular areas exhibited marked pleomorphism, brisk mitosis, and extensive necrosis are seen microscopically. Immunohistochemistry shows patchy S100 protein staining with loss of expression of H3K27me3. Conclusion: Although MPNST is rare in the paediatric age group, the diagnosis should be considered in children without NF1 with a rapidly evolving and painful mass in the peripheral nerve distribution. In this case, the diagnosis was delayed and made after surgery. Due to its morphologic heterogeneity and lack of specific immunohistochemical markers, MPNST remains a diagnostic challenge