Replacing of glass fibres with seed oil palm fibres for tribopolymeric composites

In the current study, the possibility of replacing woven glass fibres (WGFs) with seed oil palm fibres (SOPFs) as reinforcements for tribopolymeric composites is investigated. Mainly, two different polyester composites based on woven glass reinforced polyester (WGRP) and seed oil palm reinforced polyester (SOPRP) are developed. Different volume fractions (25, 35, and 45 vol.- %) of SOPFs were considered. The experiments were performed using a block on disc (BOD) machine and the tests were conducted under dry contact condition against smooth stainless steel counterface at 2?8 m s21 sliding velocity, 20 N applied load for different sliding distances (up to 5 km). The wear mechanism was categorised using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results revealed that the steady state was reached after 4 km sliding distance for both WGRP and SOPRP composites. Seed oil palm reinforced polyester composites showed very high friction coefficient compared to WGRP. 35 vol.-% SOPRP composite exhibited a promising wear result, i.e. SOPFs are possible to replace WGFs in polymeric composites reinforcements whereas the wear resistance of the synthetic and natural composite were almost the same. The wear mechanisms for SOPRP composites were predominated by microcracks, deformation and pulled out of fibres while in the WGRP composite, abrasive nature was observed

Artificial Neural Network versus Linear Models Forecasting Doha Stock Market

The purpose of this study is to determine the instability of Doha stock market and develop forecasting models. Linear time series models are used and compared with a nonlinear Artificial Neural Network (ANN) namely Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) Technique. It aims to establish the best useful model based on daily and monthly data which are collected from Qatar exchange for the period starting from January 2007 to January 2015. Proposed models are for the general index of Qatar stock exchange and also for the usages in other several sectors. With the help of these models, Doha stock market index and other various sectors were predicted. The study was conducted by using various time series techniques to study and analyze data trend in producing appropriate results. After applying several models, such as: Quadratic trend model, double exponential smoothing model, and ARIMA, it was concluded that ARIMA (2,2) was the most suitable linear model for the daily general index. However, ANN model was found to be more accurate than time series models. Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.Scopu

Religious freedom, minorities and Islam: an inquiry into the Malaysian experience, 2nd. ed.

The 2nd edition of Religious Freedom, Minorities, and Islam: An Inquiry into Malaysian Experience challenges the argument that religious freedom model can only be guaranteed by a separation between religion and state. Additionally, the book tries to show that while an increased religious consciousness and manifest adherence to one’s faith may lead to conflict in a multi-religious society, this hypothesis is not necessarily accurate. Malaysia has been selected as a case study due to its religious, racial, and linguistic pluralism, to analyse the extent to which its religious minorities have the freedom to profess and practice their faith. The degree to which Malaysia exemplifies the spirit of Islamic tolerance toward religious minority groups will also be appraised. Finally, the learned author examines the impact of the growing “Islamic revivalism” on the religious freedom of non-Muslim minorities in Malaysia. The Religious Freedom, Minorities, and Islam: An Inquiry into Malaysian Experience is well documented with scholarly sources, and cited from a lengthy list of bibliography. Some of the book’s findings were initially presented at international conferences and later published in respected academic journals, such as the American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences (USA) and the Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs (UK). Although the author is currently teaching in an Islamic institution, his objectivity and scientific approach to the subject are well maintained. Finally, I strongly recommend the book as a useful reference for researchers, in the fields of Social Sciences and Humanities, in and outside Malaysia

367 Googling acne: Analyzing ingredients and price of over the counter acne products

Introduction: Given the convenience of the over-the-counter (OTC) market, many individuals trial OTC products as a means to combat their acne. Within the OTC acne market, there is great heterogeneity in ingredients and price. Herein, we analyze the distribution of ingredients and price among OTC acne products in top Google searches, which the public may encounter when performing an online search. Methods: Google searches for key terms “acne”, “acne treatment”, “top acne treatment”, and “best acne regimen” were performed. Unique acne products for the first 100 websites for each term were collected. Summary statistics for median, range, mean, and standard deviation for price per topical therapy were analyzed. A factorial ANOVA was performed assessing effect of ingredient on price. Results: A total of 272 unique products were collected out of the 400 websites analyzed. The mean price per ounce of all products was $24.79 (standard deviation of$31.84) and median[range] was $10.40 [ Conclusion: Providers play an important role in educating and helping patients to navigate the OTC market. Based on efficacy and affordability, benzoyl peroxide and adapalene should remain the active ingredient of choice when turning to the OTC market. Given the heterogeneity of the OTC market, patients should carefully evaluate OTC products and be aware that not all products will have ingredients containing a grade A strength of recommendation and know that products with the same topical therapy can vary dramatically in price