A sonochemical approach to the direct surface functionalization of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane

We report a sonochemical method of functionalizing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES). Mechanical stirring, localized hot spots and other unique conditions generated by an acoustic cavitation (sonochemical) process were found to induce a rapid silanization reaction between SPION and APTES. FTIR, XPS and XRD measurements were used to demonstrate the grafting of APTES on SPION. Compared to what was reported in literature, the results showed that the silanization reaction time was greatly minimized. More importantly, the product displayed superparamagnetic behaviour at room temperature with a more than 20% higher saturation magnetization

Tpreserving cultural heritage through language maintenance: semai oral tradition and knowledge transfer / Sharina Saad...[et al.]

Languages are perhaps our most powerful instruments for preserving and developing heritage and culture. Cultural heritage is seen as the total ways of living built up by a group of human beings, which is passed down from one generation to the next, given to them by reasons of their birth. However, the loss of a language may also risk the loss of culture at large. In Malaysia the Indigenous communities as well as the Semai, keep their cultural heritage alive by passing their knowledge, arts, rituals and performances from one generation to another, speaking and teaching languages, protecting cultural materials, sacred and significant sites and objects. However, these activities and teachings, if not preserved will soon die out. The lack of Indigenous education would continue to set indigenous youth apart from their own cultures. Therefore the researchers find the significance of educational instruction to take place in Indigenous languages. Efforts have been taken by the researchers to preserve, protect and promote Indigenous culture through cultural education via Indigenous folklores. This is done to raise the community awareness and education on preserving the Semai cultures and language heritage. The documentation of Semai language and folklores is significant because when the Semai language dies out, parts of a culture of the Semai dies

Engineering properties of cemented peat bricks

Housing is a great problem in today’s world and the world future. The most basic building material for infrastructure construction and housing is the usual brick or blocks. Conventional bricks, which are burnt clay, create environmental problems. The purpose for this study was undertaken on the production of peat; siliceous sand, composite cement and lime solid bricks to solve the economic problems of housing and construction building by utilizing local materials. The compressive strength, water absorption and density of these bricks were investigated. It was observed that these bricks had sufficient strength for their use in low cost housing development. Tests were also conducted to study the influence of curing type on the increase in strength and hardening of the bricks with time

Seed-Mediated Growth Of Gold Nanorods For Diagnostic Applications.

This work describes properties of gold nanorods synthesized using a seed-mediated method

Entrepreneurship tendency attitude of demographic factors among Malay dealer Shall petrol satisfaction in Klang Valley

The objective of this study is to know the relationship between entrepreneurial tendency attitudes on demographic factors among Malay dealer Shell Petrol Station in Klang Valley. Demographic factors such as age, gender, religion, level of education, previous specific job and parent education background the main parameters for this study. There were 4 types of information were measured; self-particulars, education background, respondent experiences and parent background. The data were analyzed using the Scientific Programme of Social Science Study (SPSS) technique Version 13. Out of 19 hypotheses, only 1 hypothesis has a relevant significant relationship towards entrepreneurial attitude, which is managing current business. The findings noted that, there was no direct relationship between Shell petrol station dealers with the entrepreneurship attitude tendency. (Author's abstract

Evaluation, selection and assessment of guidelines for chemical stabilization of tropical residual soils

Soil stabilization has been widely used as an alternative to substitute the lacking of suitable materials on site. Guidelines and standards have been developed to assist practitioners in designing structures such as road by mean of stabilization. This paper presents the results of an investigation aimed at evaluating and assessing the suitable guidelines for the stabilization of tropical residual soils. Two types of tropical residual soils namely granite residual and sedimentary residual soil were tested by using conventional methods practiced in Malaysia and two guidelines, namely the TRL and PWD were evaluated. From the results of this study, it appeared that the TRL gave a simplified and satisfactory route in selection of suitable binder for the stabilization processes of tropical residual soils

Effect of Device Variables on Surface Potential and Threshold Voltage in DG-GNRFET

In this paper we present four simple analytical threshold voltage model for short- channel and length of saturation velocity region (LVSR) effect that takes into account the built – in potential of the source and drain channel junction, the surface potential and the surface electric field effect on double – gate graphene nanoribbon transistors. Four established models for surface potential, lateral electric field, LVSR and threshold voltage are presented. These models are based on the easy analytical solution of the two dimensional potential distribution in the graphene and Poisson equation which can be used to obtain surface potential, lateral electric field, LVSR and threshold voltage. These models give a closed form solution of the surface potential and electrical field distribution as a function of structural parameters and drain bias. Most of analytical outcomes are shown to correlate with outcomes acquired by Matlab simulation and the end model applicability to the published silicon base devices is demonstrated

Application of scrap tires as earth reinforcement for repair of tropical residual soil slope

The need to recycle scrap tires and to design a more environmental friendly, cost effective slope repairs, prompted the study to look into the possibility of using scrap tires as earth reinforcement for slope repair. This paper describes work done on testing for tensile strength of scrap tires where currently there appeared to be no test standard available, design and test of suitable attachment to tie the tire together, and the construction and performance of field trial of the propose scrap tire reinforced earth system. The study showed that scrap tires could easily carry tensile load of 20 kN. Polypropylene rope of 12 mm in diameter could provide the required (matching) strength as joint. Scrap tire reinforced earth system comprising whole tires tied with polypropylene rope s tacked on top of each other and backfilled with in-situ cohesive tropical residual soil fill showed excellent performance for repairing slope of up to 5 m high

Cement-stabilized Modified High Fines Melaka Series for Roadbases

Roads are a crucial infrastructural element in the progress of a nation. Unavailability of suitable base materials causes total building cost to escalate. Strict adherence to standards to satisfy maximum working conditions would disregard the abundant supply of substandard materials. This paper discusses the potential exploitation of such substandard materials through modification of the strength characteristics. Rural and farm roads in developing countries are generally lightly trafficked, thus justifying a lower strength criterion (1.7 MN/m2 ) than normally adopted. Soils with high fines content are unsuitable for cement stabilization. The selected Melaka series was modified by the addition of river sand. Cement was subsequently added to the mixture and stabilized mechanically. Various soil sand-cement proportions were studied in terms of strength characteristics. A significant increase in strength, from 0.2 MN/mt to nearly 3 MN/m2, was noted with soil sand ratio of]:] with 12% cement content. This represents about a 14fold strength increase satisfying the current compressive strength of 2.8 MN/ mt for roadbases. The unit cost of producing the mixture was equivalent to supplying crusher run in a typical road project. The 1.7 MN/m2 criterion was met with a minimum cement content of 8% and a soil·sand ratio of 2:1. With 1.7 MN/m2 strength criterion, nearly 35% savings could be made by using the modified Melaka series soil instead of crusher run