Preparation and characterization of polyhydroxybutyrate/polycaprolactone/Mg-Al layered double hydroxide nanocomposites

Anionic clay Mg-Al Layered double hydroxide (Mg-Al LDHs) of Mg/Al-NO3 - with M2+:M3+ (3:1) ratio was synthesized by co-precipitation method from nitrate salt solutions were used with continuous agitation at constant pH 9. Beside, modification of nitrate anions by stearate anions between the LDH layers had carried out through ion exchange reaction. Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)/Polycaprolactone (PCL)/stearate Mg-Al Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites were prepared via solution casting intercalation method. FT-IR spectra showed the presence of carboxylic acid (COOH) group indicates that stearate anions were successfully replacing the nitrate anions in the interlayer Mg-Al LDH. The XRD results showed that increasing basal spacing from 8.66 to 32.97 Å in modified stearate Mg-Al LDH. Additional of 1.0 wt % stearate Mg-Al LDH resulting higher basal spacing where polymer chain intercalated into interlayer LDH and TEM results revealed that the 1.0 wt % stearate Mg-Al LDH layers are homogeneously distributed in the PHB/PCL polymer blends matrix. TGA characterization proven that 80PHB/20PCL/1stearate Mg-Al LDH has lower weight loss and higher thermal stability. Enhancement in 300% elongation at break and 66% tensile strength in the presence of 1.0 wt % of the stearate Mg-Al LDH as compare with PHB/PCL blends. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) proved that clay improves compatibility between polymer matrix and the best ratio 80PHB/20PCL/1stearate Mg-Al LDH surface was well dispersed and stretched before it breaks

Mechanical and morphological properties of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate/ Poly(butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate)/layered double hydroxide nanocomposites

Nanocomposites of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate/poly(butyleneadipate-co- terephthalate)/layered double hydroxide (PHB/PBAT/LDH) were prepared from a binary blend of PHB/PBAT and stearate-Zn3Al LDH via a solution casting method using chloroform as solvent in this study. The pristine Zn 3Al LDH was synthesized from nitrate salts solution at pH 7 by using coprecipitation technique and then was modified by stearate anions surfactant via ion exchange reaction. As a result, the basal spacing of the LDH was increased from 8.77 to 24.94 Å after the modification. Intercalated nanocomposites were formed due to the presence of diffraction peak in XRD diffractograms. The infrared spectrum of stearate-Zn3Al LDH exhibited the existence of stearate anions in the synthesized Zn3Al LDH. Mechanical properties with 2 wt% stearate-Zn3Al LDH loading nanocomposites showed 56 wt% improvements in elongation at break compared to those of the blend

A new crescent moon visibility criteria using circular regression model: a case study of Teluk Kemang, Malaysia

Many astronomers have studied lunar crescent visibility throughout history. Its importance is unquestionable, especially in determining the local Islamic calendar and the dates of important Islamic events. Different criteria have been used to predict the possible visibility of the crescent moon during the sighting process. However, so far, the visibility models used are based on linear statistical theory, whereas the useful variables in this study are in the circular unit. Hence, in this paper, we propose new visibility tests using the circular regression model, which will split the data into three visibility categories; visible to the unaided eye, may need optical aid and not visible. We formulate the procedure to separate the categories using the residuals of the fitted circular regression model. We apply the model on 254 observations collected at Baitul Hilal Teluk Kemang Malaysia, starting from March 2000 to date. We show that the visibility test developed based on elongation of the moon (dependent variable) and altitude of the moon (independent variable) gives the smallest misclassification rate. From the statistical analysis, we propose the elongation of the moon 7.28°, altitude of the moon of 3.33° and arc of vision of 3.74 at sunset as the new crescent visibility criteria. The new criteria have a significant impact on improving the chance of observing the crescent moon and in producing a more accurate Islamic calendar in Malaysia

Indoor air quality at higher institution’s laboratory: A study on presymptoms, awareness and understanding among occupants

This study intends to show the effectiveness of indoor air quality (IAQ) at the higher institution laboratory. The objective is to determine the impact of current IAQ, to study the occupants’ knowledge in the indoor air pollutants and to identify the significance of occupants’ personality regarding the IAQ awareness. 100 respondents had responded to answer the questionnaires given. The questionnaires were analysed using XLSTAT2014 software for descriptive statistic and discriminant analysis in order to fulfil the outlined objectives. The finding shows that 56% of the respondents know about IAQ, while 40% and 4% did not know and not sure about the IAQ, respectively. By gender, there were 20 of male respondents having the IAQ knowledge and 21 of male respondents did not know about the IAQ. Meanwhile, 36 of female respondents have IAQ knowledge, 19 of female respondents did not know the IAQ knowledge and 4 of female respondents were not sure regarding the IAQ knowledge. Furthermore, the IAQ in the laboratory at the higher institution is considered as unhealthy based on the respondents’ complaints of their health problem symptoms. Meanwhile, the results of personality tests show that women have more IAQ awareness compared to men. It indicated that the personalities of the occupants have significance to influence and able to determine their awareness on the IAQ. Hence, it described that IAQ is a significant factor to determine and influence the health of laboratory occupan

Isoprene hotspots at the Western Coast of Antarctic Peninsula during MASEC′16

Isoprene (C5H8) plays an important role in the formation of surface ozone (O3) and the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) which contributed to the climate change. This study aims to determine hourly distribution of tropospheric isoprene over the Western Coast of Antarctic Peninsula (WCAP) during the Malaysian Antarctic Scientific Expedition Cruise 2016 (MASEC′16). In-situ measurements of isoprene were taken using a custom-built gas chromatography with photoionization detector, known as iDirac. Biological parameters such as chlorophyll a (chl-a) and particulate organic carbon (POC) were compared to the in-situ isoprene measurements. Significant positive correlation was observed between isoprene and POC concentrations (r2 = 0.67, p < 0.001), but not between isoprene and chl-a. The hotspots of isoprene over maritime Antarctic were then were investigated using NAME dispersion model reanalysis. Measurements showed that isoprene mixing ratio were the highest over region of King George Island, Deception Island and Booth Island with values of ∼5.0, ∼0.9 and ∼5.2 ppb, respectively. Backward trajectory analysis showed that air masses may have lifted the isoprene emitted by marine algae. We believe our findings provide valuable data set of isoprene estimation over the under sampled WCAP

A Study on Country of Origin Towards Purchasing Intention of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia’s Consumer Perspective

Consumer perceptions of product country-of-origin have shifted from one fresh perspective to another in the current and competitive period of global marketing.&nbsp; The new view could lead to both positive and negative outcomes in terms of dimensions.&nbsp; This study aims to contribute and gauge a better understanding of the country of origin toward purchasing intention of cosmetic products in Malaysia’s consumer perspective. The principal objective of this research is to perform a conceptual framework to examine the relationship of country origin towards purchasing intention of cosmetic products among Malaysian consumers. This study proposed to utilise a survey method and the data will be collected specifically in the Klang Valley area.&nbsp; The originality of this research is on its examining of the relationship among country of origin on purchasing intention of cosmetic product in Malaysian consumers context, something has been ignored in the previous studies. This conceptual model is expected to be contribute to the advancement of knowledge in cosmetic product purchase intention among Malaysian consumers and to get a clear picture of how the factor of the country of origin affects the consumer purchase intention for cosmetic products. Research paper Keywords: Country origin, Cosmetic, Malaysian, Purchasing intention Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Zainuddin, A. Z., Zainuddin, N. Z., Muhamed, A. A., Ibrahim, Z., &amp; Yunus, N. A. M. (2022). A Study On Country Of Origin Towards Purchasing Intention Of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia’s Consumer Perspective. Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics, 10(2S2),&nbsp;138–153

A Study on Country of Origin Towards Purchasing Intention of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia’s Consumer Perspective

Consumer perceptions of product country-of-origin have shifted from one fresh perspective to another in the current and competitive period of global marketing.&nbsp; The new view could lead to both positive and negative outcomes in terms of dimensions.&nbsp; This study aims to contribute and gauge a better understanding of the country of origin toward purchasing intention of cosmetic products in Malaysia’s consumer perspective. The principal objective of this research is to perform a conceptual framework to examine the relationship of country origin towards purchasing intention of cosmetic products among Malaysian consumers. This study proposed to utilise a survey method and the data will be collected specifically in the Klang Valley area.&nbsp; The originality of this research is on its examining of the relationship among country of origin on purchasing intention of cosmetic product in Malaysian consumers context, something has been ignored in the previous studies. This conceptual model is expected to be contribute to the advancement of knowledge in cosmetic product purchase intention among Malaysian consumers and to get a clear picture of how the factor of the country of origin affects the consumer purchase intention for cosmetic products. Research paper Keywords: Country origin, Cosmetic, Malaysian, Purchasing intention Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Zainuddin, A. Z., Zainuddin, N. Z., Muhamed, A. A., Ibrahim, Z., &amp; Yunus, N. A. M. (2022). A Study On Country Of Origin Towards Purchasing Intention Of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia’s Consumer Perspective. Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics, 10(2S2),&nbsp;138–153

Product development from mudskipper and giant snakehead fish oils

Several products from mudskipper and giant snakehead oil were developed. The topical creams were produced in the form of water-in-oil emulsions. The creams are suitable for pharmaceutical uses such as reducing rheumatoid arthritis and would healing. Other products in the forms of soft gels and capsules could be used as food supplements

Preparation and characterization of polyhydroxybutyrate/polycaprolactone nanocomposites

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)/polycaprolactone (PCL)/stearate Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanocomposites were prepared via solution casting intercalation method. Coprecipitation method was used to prepare the anionic clay Mg-Al LDH from nitrate salt solution. Modification of nitrate anions by stearate anions between the LDH layers via ion exchange reaction. FTIR spectra showed the presence of carboxylic acid (COOH) group which indicates that stearate anions were successfully intercalated into the Mg-Al LDH. The formation of nanocomposites only involves physical interaction as there are no new functional groups or new bonding formed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the mixtures of nanocomposites are intercalated and exfoliated types. XRD results showed increasing of basal spacing from 8.66 to 32.97 Å in modified stearate Mg-Al LDH, and TEM results revealed that the stearate Mg-Al LDH layers are homogeneously distributed in the PHB/PCL polymer blends matrix. Enhancement in 300% elongation at break and 66% tensile strength in the presence of 1.0 wt % of the stearate Mg-Al LDH as compare with PHB/PCL blends. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) proved that clay improves compatibility between polymer matrix and the best ratio 80PHB/20PCL/1stearate Mg-Al LDH surface is well dispersed and stretched before it breaks