Study of energy efficiency opportunities in Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) building

Pcnnintaan tenaga eleh.irik di dalam ncgara scmakin meningkat dari tahun ke tahun. Scktor bangunan masih lagi menjadi pcnyumbang utama penggunaan tenaga clctrik. Objcktif projck ini adalah untuk mcngcnalpasti potensi penjimatan tenaga di dalam bangunan pejabat Jabatan Pengairan dan Sal iran. Dalam projek ini, kes kajian adalah tcrtumpu kepada pcnggunaan tenaga eletrik di bangunan pejabat JPS Batu Pahat, Johor. Skop kajian adalah untuk mcngenalpasti penggunaan tenaga elctrik di dalam scbuah bangunan yang dipilih, mcngkaji peluang-peluang penjimatan tcnaga, menganalisis kos pelaburan bcrkaitan ckonomi dan mcngenalpasti sikap pengguna dalam pcnggunaan tenaga eletrik. Langkah-Iangkah kccckapan tcnaga dikategorikan kcpada dua iaitu gelagat pcngguna dan pembaikan teknikal. Perubahan tingkah laku manusia bolch mengurangkan penggunaan tenaga scbanyak 11 % dan pengenalan langkah teknikal pula boleh mengurangkan penggunaan tenaga antara 1.5% hingga ke 20%. Dua kaedah penilaian bagi ana lisa ekonomi telah digunakan; iaitu kacdah tempoh bayaran baIik dan kaedah nilai terkini bersih. Lima daripada tujuh langkah-Iangkah teknikal yang dicadangkan mcnghasilkan satu pulangan pelaburan kurang daripada dua tahun

Effects and influence of the urea component of an organomineral fertiliser on phosphorus mineralisation in a low-P index arable and grassland soil

Addition of organic waste such as sewage sludge (biosolids) has been recognised as one of the cost effective method of waste recycling practice of maintaining levels of organic matter in agriculture. Biosolids are a slow-release nutrient (N and P) which also improves soil physical and microbiological properties and as such offer a promising plant nutrient with less impact on soil than mineral fertilisers. Implementation of wastewater treatment directive 91/271//EC has caused large amount of sewage sludge production and availability. Hence, management of biosolids to provide available phosphorus through soil recycling would reduce reliance on finite rock phosphates (over 85% P-fertilisers) extraction, protect or minimise environmental problems such as eutrophication and also help the resource-limited farmers particularly in developing countries, to mitigate P-fertiliser limitation in the soil. More awareness of the impact of different agricultural fertiliser management practices on soil quality and sustainability has led to more interest of combining organic residuals with inorganic fertilisers to prevent further fertility decline and degradation of soil. Amongst recent nutrient integration, was the nutrient-balanced sludge-based (biosolids with urea and potash) called organomineral fertiliser (OMF), which shows agronomic efficiency of phosphorus management when applied to the field crops such as winter wheat. However, to manage phosphorus mineralisation effectively in the organomineral fertiliser treated soil, it is important to understand the effects of urea components in OMF during mineralisation of phosphorus in soil. This research aimed to understand the influence that the urea component of an organomineral fertiliser (OMF) has during phosphorus mineralisation in soil. Therefore urea granules were grounded into powdered form and mixed with grounded biosolids pellets as a source of phosphorus to obtain organomineral fertilisers. This whole research included two different control soil incubation experiments (1a & 1b) both observed over a 60 days period. Incubation experiment 1a (involved mixing various rates of biosolids and urea in soil) had two different soil samples from the grassland (sandy clay loam) and arable (clay loam) sites. In terms of initial soil phosphorus content, the grassland and arable soils are classified as P-index 1 and 2 respectively. Soil samples were analysed for pH, mineralisable nitrogen (NH4 + , NO3 - ), available phosphorus, microbial biomass carbon and phosphorus and phospholipids fatty acids profiles during 0, 6, 15, 20, 35, 45 and 60 days incubation period. While in the incubation experiment 1b (mixing different rates of urea with fixed quantity of biosolids in soil), soil from the same grassland, were being sampled at 10 day intervals (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60) after taking the initial sample of day 0 and analysed for pH, mineralisable P and phosphomonoesterase enzyme activities. The incubation experiments showed that, mineralisation of available phosphorus were significantly (p<0.001) higher in the biosolids and organomineral (OMF) fertiliser treated soils compared to control during 20 and 30 days period. The mean values of mineralisable P from OMF treatment for the incubation experiment 1a were 14.5 and 19.5 mg/kg in the grass and arable soils respectively. The mineralisation rates of biosolids-P from organomineral fertiliser (OMF) amended soils were also reduced significantly, as the dosages of urea component were increased according to the 50, 150 and 250Kg/N equivalents during the 60 days incubation experiment 1b. The mean available P values from the OMF amendments were 28.0, 25.7 and 23.4mg/kg respectively; according to the increasing amount of urea content at 50, 150 and 250Kg/N equivalents respectively. The overall trend of organomineral fertiliser phosphorus (OMF-P) mineralisation rate have shown significant (p<0.001) reduction with increased doses of urea components, with the fixed biosolids equivalent rate of 250Kg/ha during the incubation experiment 1b. There were no significant (p>0.01) changes in pH from both soil incubation experiment 1a and 1b, except for the urea only treated samples at the 250KgN/ha equivalent rate from the sandy clay loam grassland soil, which shows up to 1 unit increase (pH=8.1) compared to other treatments, just a day after kick-starting the incubation experiment, but eventually becomes reduced to the original pH (6.9) during the incubation period. Microbial community change in both arable and grassland soil from initial day zero showed distinct and consistent shifts in trends through the 20 and 45 days respectively, irrespective of their treatments, and then gradually shifted towards the original starting point at the final incubation study of day 60. This was however attributed to the function of change with time, since it could not be categorically assigned to the OMF application effects only, but perhaps community change effects with time could be the main factor. Even though there was no any important patterns or trends observed between the indigenous treatments, but the wide spreading and shift distances amongst treatments during 20 and 45 days were higher compared to the 0 and 60 days, and this is probably because there were more phosphorus mineralisation when microorganisms were able to access more dissolved organic carbon as shown by high biomass carbon during 20 and 35 days incubation time, and utilise it to generate energy that kept them more active within those period before it gradually becomes exhausted, since there was no external source of energy being added. Similarly, phosphomonoesterase enzyme activities in the soil treatments except for the urea only amended samples, showed significant (p<0.01) differences between days 20, 30 and 40 compared to days 0, 50 and 60 and the phosphatase activities in the OMF amendments had significantly higher acid than alkaline phosphatase activities. Organomineral phosphorus (OMF-P) mineralisation in soil during 60 days incubation in this short-term study have shown potential P release in both soils, and the OMF-P mineralisation rate was highest in the formulation having fixed biosolids with urea at 150KgN/ha equivalent compared to other formulations (50KgN/ha and 250KgN/ha) and therefore effects of urea component of the organomineral fertiliser is an important factor when considering OMF as a promising P alternative or source in low-P soil during phosphorus management. Appropriate product formulation depending on the crop needs is therefore very important for soil phosphorus nutrient management and sustainability

Correlates and Predictors of Spiritual, Existential, and Religious Well-being among Malaysian Muslim College Students

This cross-sectional study aimed to (a) describe mean scores of spiritual involvement and beliefs, religiosity, spiritual well-being, existential well-being, and religious well-being among Malaysian Muslim college students; and (b) explore associations among these variables for this Malaysian group. A sample size of 183 Malaysian Muslim college students were recruited from government universities located in the north-eastern region of Jordan and were a self-selected convenience sample. A descriptive and correlational design was used. Results showed that participants had high average levels of spiritual involvement and beliefs, religiosity, spiritual well-being, existential well-being, and religious well-being. Moreover, spiritual involvement and beliefs, and religiosity were positively associated with spiritual well-being and its dimensions (existential well-being and religious well-being), but in the final regression model only spiritual involvement and beliefs retained a significant association after controlling for the religiosity. It was found that higher income levels and being female were associated with higher mean scores of spiritual well-being and its dimensions. In conclusion, the findings demonstrated that levels of spiritual involvement and beliefs, and religiosity have a positive impact on levels of spiritual well-being, existential well-being, and religious well-being. Furthermore, the high mean levels of spirituality and religiosity variables in this study confirm that spirituality and religiosity are important to the lives of Malaysian Muslim college students and the implications for well-being and education are explored. This study supported the multidimensional nature of spirituality and the notion that spirituality and religiosity are two distinct, but related, concepts. Keywords: spiritual well-being, religious well-being, existential well-being, spiritual involvement and beliefs, religiosit

Prediction of an aeroengine performance analysis and thermodynamic parametric study (fan pressure ratio) / Ahmad Shauqi Musa.

The gas turbine is a device that converts heat into work and also called as a combustion turbine which is a rotary engine. A simple gas turbine is based on the three main components: a compressor, a combustor and a turbine. This study covers on the gas turbine behavior and technology which are focuses on the effect of fan pressure ratio and altitude on overall performance of aero gas turbine. The whole idea of aero gas turbine such as turbofan and turbojet will be describe since the FPR value will be taken 1.3 up to 2.0 and the margin altitude value from 0 up to high altitude (11000km). Basically the manual analysis or calculation need more time and required high level understanding of gas turbine operation so we have developed a software by using MATLAB Simulink and graphical user interface (GUI) and the result will represent the prediction of gas turbine performance. The study method required and used to avoid the mistake occurs during the manual analysis and make a systematic data output accurately compare to manuals. The software of MATLAB simulink is represented in block diagram or model that will create a flow of aircraft gas turbine from the intake until the exhaust nozzle. Meanwhile, the significant of this study can make the student and society to get ease understanding the trend occurs for the selected margins. The main task of overall of the program is to gain the total thrust (FN) and specific fuel consumption (SFC) from the MATLAB simulink and GUI program. Then the study and analyzing is done on both final results in some conditions based on the correlation between fuel flow, thrust and SFC. The results for the fixed Mach number and altitude selected, an increasing of the pressure ratio (FPR) decreased the specific fuel consumption (SFC) and the small range given from specific thrust

Psychometric Evaluation of an Arabic Version of the Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale in Jordanian Muslim College Nursing Students

A review of the nursing and health-related literature on spirituality revealed that no valid and reliable research tool exists in Arabic for measuring spiritual beliefs and practices for Arab Muslim population. This study translated the Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale (SIBS) into Arabic and examined the psychometric properties of the Arabic version in a sample of Jordanian Arab Muslim nursing students by examining  its factorial validity,  convergent-related validity, and internal reliability. A convenience sample of 394 Jordanian nursing college students (all Muslims) were recruited from governmental universities in the northern region of Jordan. The SIBS was translated from English to Arabic using a back-translation method, reviewed by an expert panel for lingual, cultural and spiritual consistency, and was piloted with 15 Jordanian nursing college students. Correlational and factor analysis were used. The internal consistency reliability of the Arabic SIBS was acceptable, with alpha coefficient of 0.76. Evidence of construct validity was supported by significant moderate to high positive correlations between the Arabic SIBS and both religiosity and the spiritual well-being (convergent validity), and by a resultant three-factor structure to the SIBS which was simple, easily interpretable and had a conceptual meaning. The resultant three factors were labeled as “Spiritual Beliefs”, “Spiritual Involvement”, and “Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Outcomes” subscales. In conclusion, these preliminary findings suggest that the Arabic version of the SIBS can be used as an instrument to measure levels of spiritual beliefs and practices in Arab Muslim populations. In addition, it would appear that spiritual beliefs and practices, spiritual well-being, and religiosity are important dimensions for Jordanian Muslim nursing students which have potential implications for nursing education, practice, and research. Keywords: Arab Muslims, nursing students, translation, Arabic Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale, psychometric propertie

Exploring COBIT processes for ITG in Saudi organizations : an empirical study

Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT) has become one of the most important guidelines for information technology governance (ITG), which provides organizations with a useful tool to start evaluating their own ITG systems. COBIT introduces an ITG framework and supporting toolset that allows IT managers to bridge the gap between control requirements, technical issues and business risks. The objective of this study is to investigate the formality, auditing, responsibility and accountability of implementing COBIT processes for ITG in Saudi organizations. An empirical survey, using a self-administered questionnaire, was conducted to achieve these objectives. Five hundred questionnaires were distributed to a sample of Saudi organizations in a selected number of Saudi cities. One hundred and twenty seven valid questionnaires – representing a 25.4 percent response rate –were collected and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. While the results of the study reveal that the majority of respondents reported that implementing ITG COBIT processes and domains is the responsibility of IT departments in Saudi organizations, most of the respondents reported that the COBIT processes and domains are neither audited nor formally conducted in their organizations. From a practical standpoint, managers and practitioners alike stand to gain from the findings of this study. The study provides useful information for senior management, IT managers, accountants, auditors, and academics to understand the implementation phase and the impact of COBIT on ITG in Saudi organizations.Los Objetivos de Control para la información y tecnologías afines (COBIT) se han convertido en uno de las pautas más importantes para la dirección de la tecnología de la información (ITG), lo que proporciona a las organizaciones con una herramienta útil para evaluar sus propios sistemas de informática. COBIT introduce un marco ITG y un conjunto de herramientas de apoyo que permite a los administradores informáticos a salvar la situación entre los requisitos de control, asuntos técnicos y riesgos empresariales. El objetivo de este estudio es investigar la formalidad, la auditoría, la responsabilidad y la rendición de cuentas de implementar los procesos COBIT para ITG en organizaciones saudíes. Una encuesta empírica, con el uso de un cuestionario auto-administrado, se llevó a cabo para conseguir esto. Quinientos cuestionarios se distribuyeron a una muestra de dichas organizaciones en un número seleccionado de ciudades saudíes. Se reunieron ciento veintisiete cuestionarios válidos – representando un 24’5% en cuanto a la tasa de respuesta -, los cuales fueron analizados con la versión 16 del Paquete Estadístico para las Ciencias Sociales (SPSS). Mientras los resultados del estudio revelaron que la mayoría de los participantes declararon que la aplicación los procesos ITG COBIT, y los dominios es responsabilidad de los departamentos informáticos de estas organizaciones, la mayor parte de los participantes reclamaron que dichos procesos y dominios no son auditados ni formalmente llevados a cabo en sus organizaciones. Desde una perspectiva práctica, tanto los directores como los profesionales pueden beneficiarse de los hallazgos de este estudio. Este mismo aporta información útil para la alta dirección, los administradores informáticos, los contables, los auditores, y los académicos para que entiendan la fase de aplicación, y el impacto de COBIT en ITG en las organizaciones saudíes

Studies of Equilibria Involving the Binary and Ternary Complexes of Aluminium with Eriochrome Cyanine R (ECR) and Cetylpyridinium Chloride (CP)

This paper is concerned with the study of stoichiometry of binary (aluminiumECR) and ternary (aluminium-ECR-CP) complexes of aluminium. Both complexes are shown to be present in the solution and in equilibrium with each other. The formation constant, the reaction rate and the stoichiometry of both complexes have been evaluated and a possible reaction mechanism of the ternary complex formation is proposed in this paper

Evaluating the security controls of CAIS in developing countries : the case of Saudi Arabia

This paper examines the existence and adequacy of implemented Computerized Accounting Information Systems (CAIS) security controls to prevent, detect and correct security breaches in Saudi organizations. An empirical survey, using a self-administered questionnaire, was carried out to achieve this purpose. Five hundred questionnaires were distributed on a random sample of Saudi organizations. Two hundred and seventy five valid, usable questionnaires were collected and analyzed. The results of the study highlight a number of inadequately implemented CAIS security controls, and some suggestions and recommendations are introduced to strengthen the weak points and to close the loopholes in the present CAIS security controls in Saudi organizations. From a practical standpoint, managers, auditors, IT users and practitioners alike stand to gain from the findings of this study. The results could enable them to better understand and secure their CAIS and to champion IT development for the success of their businesses.Este artículo examina la existencia y adecuación de los controles de seguridad implementados de los sistemas de información de contabilidad informativa (CASI en inglés) para prevenir, detectar y corregir las infracciones de seguridad en las organizaciones de Saudi. Una encuesta empírica, con el uso de un cuestionario auto-administrado, se llevó a cabo para conseguir este fin. Se distribuyeron quinientos cuestionarios sobre una muestra aleatoria de estas organizaciones. Solo se recogieron y analizaron aquellos doscientos setenta y cinco cuestionarios válidos. Los resultados de este estudio destacan un número de inadecuados controles de seguridad implementados de CAIS, y se introducen, además, algunas sugerencias y recomendaciones para mejorar los puntos débiles y cerrar las lagunas en los actuales controles de seguridad de CAIS en las organizaciones de Saudi. Desde un punto de vista práctico, tanto los directores, como los auditores, usuarios y profesionales de informática pueden beneficiarse de los hallazgos de este estudio. Los resultados pueden permitirles a entender mejor y asegurar sus CAIS, y defender el desarrollo de la informática para el éxito de sus negocios

Penderia pH Berkomputer Menggunakan Gentian Optik

This paper discusses the development of a pH sensor using optical fibre. Optical fibre was used to guide light from the light source, LED, to the probe and eventually to a photodetector, i.e. solid state photodiode. A few drops of phenolptalin were added to the solution before the measurement was made. This sensor can be used for acid-base titration. The sensor was interfaced to a personal computer to facilitate the data retrieval process

The Determinates Of Selecting Accounting Software: A Proposed Model

Selecting the appropriate accounting software has become an important issue for many organizations. Selecting the wrong accounting software would be a great disaster, it might lead to major financial losses, and possibly even bankruptcy. Certain crucial factors such as users’ current and future needs, business type, business size, features and attributes of accounting software, information technology infrastructure and environment, and vendor reliability should be taken into consideration before obtaining the software. The objective of this paper is to investigate, analyze and evaluate the main factors an organization should consider in its decision to select the appropriate accounting software. The paper introduces an integrated theoretical framework of the main factors affecting the selection of an appropriate accounting software package for an organization. The paper proceeds to introduce a proposed mathematical model of the determinants of selecting accounting software. The proposed model would help an organization to select the most appropriate accounting software that would satisfy its current and future needs for information and financial and non-financial reports