E-methods in literary production: integrating e-learning in creative writing

This paper discusses the integration of e-learning in creative writing. The online approach to the teaching of creative writing takes into account today’s Malaysian youth and their fascination with computer technology. It is this appeal of innovation in electronics and knowledge that leads an educator to design an on-line approach to a creative writing course. The theoretical construct used to support the discussion is Anderson’s theory that on-line learning is knowledge-, community-, assessment-, and learner-centered. The writer, who is also the course developer, analyses a poetry-writing activity, which students undertake, and the e-portfolio used in the course. To analyze the processes involved in this creative writing exercise Macherey’s (1978) Theory of Literary Production is adapted and utilized. This theory, which regards literary production as a process imitating that of a production line, provides the methodology and conceptual framework for analyzing the raw materials collected by the students and their transformation during the writing process. This paper thus addresses the benefits of e-learning in a creative writing context

Polysulfone mixed matrix membranes with biosynthesis nanoparticles: enhancement of interface compatibility and antibacterial membrane seperation process

This study investigates the effect of biosynthesis silver nanoparticles (bio-AgNPs) structure towards PSf membranes performance. The addition of bio-AgNPs in the membrane formulation was aimed to improve antibacterial properties and interface compatibility of the polymer mixed matric membrane. In this work, facile green synthesis method of silver nanoparticles was prepared using Parkia speciosa (Petai) leaves extract silver nitrate aqueous solution. The bio-AgNPs/PSf membranes was fabricated using phase-inversion process. Characterization of the synthesized bio�AgNPs and mixed matrix membranes via UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Surface plasmon resonance for bio-AgNPs was assigned at 465 nm with brown colour. FTIR spectroscopy identified the biomolecules capped on the surface of nanoparticles are phenol, flavonoid and terpenoid compounds. The microstructure and structural analyses had shown that AgNPs possessed good characteristics with spherical shapes, small average size of particles (59.96 nm), and small crystallite size. The bio-AgNPs also showed significant potential antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The addition of bio-AgNPs was able to enhance the hydrophilicity of composite PSf membranes which proved by decreasing the value of contact angle. Meanwhile, structure on bottom layer shown a porous bulk with finger-like structure and macroviod structure which is responsible for mechanical support. Finger-like structure on top layer became smaller with increment of bio-AgNPs because of its hydrophilicity properties. Hence, the pure water flux also will increase because the hydrophilicity properties was an essential factor for water permeability. The molecular interaction between molecules was investigated using Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and silver leaching analysis by Inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). vi As revealed, the strength of molecular interaction between AgNPs and PSf molecules was improved with addition of bio-AgNPs. Hence, overall the results showed that the incorporation of bio-AgNPs able to improve antibacterial properties and interface compatibility of the polymer mixed matric membran

A three dimensional limit load solution for highly undermatched single edge cracked specimens in pure bending

The accuracy of defect assessment methods for cracked structures depends on the accuracy of limit load solutions. The present paper focuses on a new method to construct simple three-dimensional kinematically admissible velocity fields for highly undermatched welded joints with edge cracks and its application to single edge cracked specimens in pure bending. The objective is to take into account specific features of flow pattern in highly undermatched joints to propose three-dimensional kinematically admissible velocity fields whose level of complexity as well as accuracy of limit load predictions are comparable with plane strain fields. The three-dimensional solution found for single edge cracked specimens in pure bending is compared to available semi-analytical plane strain solutions. Several feasible ways to improve the solution found are proposed

The development of a curriculum framework for the National Dual Training System (NDTS) in Malaysia

Curriculum is one of the most important elements in the Technical Education and Vocational Training system. Nonetheless, the existing National Occupational Skill Standard (NOSS)-based curriculum was found incapable of playing this role for its approach had created issue of workers being produced not meeting the needs of the industry or mismatch. In addressing the issue, the Malaysian government has decided to implement the National Dual Training System (NDTS) in 2005. The development of the NDTS curriculum was started in 2004, with the help of industry experts and skilled workers and guided by overseas consultants. However, the development of the NDTS curriculums was very time consuming. This has resulted in a serious scarcity in the number of curriculum. Worse still, the completed curriculums have been found inadequate that discouraged industry participation in the training programmes. Study showed that it stemmed from the absence of a good framework for the curriculum development in the country. Thus, it is paramount to make the needed NDTS curriculum framework available. The study adopted the qualitative research approach and the data collection methods were interviews, document reviews and observations. The existing practices of the NDTS curriculum development were investigated and analysed to unveil the actual way of developing the curriculum. The findings were benchmarked against the practices applied by developed countries to evaluate whether the NDTS curriculum development processes were in line with theirs in terms of dual training concept, work process analysis and establishment of working team. Ultimately, the study came up with a curriculum development framework to benefit all parties involved in training especially the curriculum developers to produce good curriculums within a reasonable time frame

Multivariable & vector calculus

This book is written for students who take Engineering Mathematics subject in Engineering Faculties at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The book is also suitable for science students who study mutivariable and vector calculus in higher learning institutions. The emphasis of this book is on the geometrical approach. Whenever possible, figures are used in this book to help students understand the concept under discussions. An appendix has been prepared by the authors for readers to recall elementary facts used in the book

Organisational symbols : reflections of organisational culture?

The objective of this paper is to discuss the role(s) of organisational symbols in representing organisational identity. To what extent do the so-called organisational symbols have significant impact on the employees in an organisation in identifying themselves with the organisational identity? Is it due to the top-down approach imposed by the top management? This paper is based on a six month ethnographic study conducted in selected Information Communication Technology (ICT) based corporations in one of the Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) cities. From the findings, there are three main organisational symbols which are related to organisational identity : identity cards, black sofa, and office cubicles. The paper concludes that the construction of organisational symbols is a mix of a controlled culture (topdown) and to a certain degree is the participative activity of the employees. Nevertheless, the organisational symbols are embraced by the employees due to the need to be identified with an organisation

Correlative coding with clipping and filtering technique in OFDM Systems

The major setbacks of Orthogonal Frequency Multiplexing (OFDM) is its peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) and intercarrier interference (ICI). The occurrence of these factors restricts its application. Here, the clipping and filtering PAPR reduction technique is king investigated to reduce the PAPR and out-of-band radiation simultaneously by implementing correlative coding. This paper focuses on the preliminaty measurement studies that was canid out. It is shown thmugh simulation that the collaboration of these techniques gives a reasonable PAPR reduction and improves the out-of-band radiation

Knowledge-based banking: The bankers’ experience on OKS (Online Knowledge Sharing)

This paper outlines the results from a web-based survey of first time users of a bankers online knowledge sharing. Palmer´s web metrics were used to investigate the effects of key website characteristics on intention to return, satisfaction and self-efficacy. Partial least squares estimation was used to estimate both the measurement and structural parameters in our structural equation model. Statistical significance of the main relationships provided strong empirical support for author conceptual framework

The Impact of increase in energy prices on sectoral costs of production of the Malaysian economy

This paper examines the impact of an increase in the petroleum price on the sectoral costs of production. Three components of costs of production, which comprise domestic materials, imported input, and labour have been identified. By using the input-output model, different scenarios of the petroleum price changes on sectoral costs of production were stimulated. The simulation results indicated that the fishing, forestry, and logging product, electricity and gas, cement, lime and plaster, and transport sectors are mostly affected by the increase in petroleum price. These sectors are expected to show large impact on costs of production as a result of petroleum price increase because these industries highly consume petroleum products as an intermediate input in their production process