Investigation On Dielectric And Sound Absorption Properties Of Banana Fibers Reinforced Epoxy Composites

This research work focused on the development of banana fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites for dielectric and sound absorption applications. The dielectric and sound absorption properties of the composites were studied with respect to the fiber loading and treatment. The fibers were treated using 5wt % of sodium hydroxide at room temperature. The properties of the composites were measured using HP Impedance Analyzer E4980A and two-microphone transfer function impedance tube method according to the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM D150-11 and ASTM E1050-12) standards. In general, the composites displayed higher dielectric constant and sound absorption coefficients at the higher fiber loading. In extend, the treated fibers reinforced composites showed higher sound absorption coefficients, but lower dielectric constant values

Metaheuristic Algorithms to Enhance the Performance of a Feedforward Neural Network in Addressing Missing Hourly Precipitation

This research study investigates the implementation of three metaheuristic algorithms, namely, Grey wolf optimizer (GWO), Multi-verse optimizer (MVO), and Moth-flame optimisation (MFO), for coupling with a feedforward neural network (FNN) in addressing missing hourly rainfall observations, while overcoming the limitation of conventional training algorithm of artificial neural network that often traps in local optima. The proposed GWOFNN, MVOFNN, and MFOFNN were compared against the conventional Levenberg Marquardt Feedforward Neural Network (LMFNN) in addressing the artificially introduced missing hourly rainfall records of Kuching Third Mile Station. The findings show that the proposed approaches are superior to LMFNN in predicting the 20% hourly rainfall observations in terms of mean absolute error (MAE) and coefficient of correlation (r). The best performance ANN model is GWOFNN, followed with MVOFNN, MFOFNN and lastly LMFNN

Metaheuristic Algorithms to Enhance the Performance of a Feedforward Neural Network in Addressing Missing Hourly Precipitation

This research study investigates the implementation of three metaheuristic algorithms, namely, Grey wolf optimizer (GWO), Multi-verse optimizer (MVO), and Moth-flame optimisation (MFO), for coupling with a feedforward neural network (FNN) in addressing missing hourly rainfall observations, while overcoming the limitation of conventional training algorithm of artificial neural network that often traps in local optima. The proposed GWOFNN, MVOFNN, and MFOFNN were compared against the conventional Levenberg Marquardt Feedforward Neural Network (LMFNN) in addressing the artificially introduced missing hourly rainfall records of Kuching Third Mile Station. The findings show that the proposed approaches are superior to LMFNN in predicting the 20% hourly rainfall observations in terms of mean absolute error (MAE) and coefficient of correlation (r). The best performance ANN model is GWOFNN, followed with MVOFNN, MFOFNN and lastly LMFNN

Impact of polyvinyl alcohol/acrylonitrile on bamboo nanocomposite and optimization of mechanical performance by response surface methodology

Bamboo is a natural resource that has prospect to substitute wood in many engineering applications. In this work, mechanical properties of bamboo nanocomposite based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/acrylonitrile/nanoclay was evaluated using response surface methodology (RSM). The developed nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Differential scanning colometry (DSC), and Thermo gravimetry analysis (TGA) to study their compositional, morphological and thermal properties. Models were developed to predict modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture of the nanocomposites. The developed models fitted the experimental values with R2 close to 1 and residuals normal probability plot fitted to straight line. Optimized values of MOE and MOR were 12.82 GPa and 105.52 MPa respectively at 10 wt% clay loading, 15 wt% PVA/acrylonitrile loading and modification time of 5 min. The melting and decomposition temperature of the nanocomposites have shown significant improvement compared to the raw bambo

Importance of sustainable polymers for modern society and development

Polymers are one of the most important and enormously used materials in the modern society. Scientists and researchers keep on improving this material via their studies and research, in order to come up with sustainable properties with the finest products. In this study the significance of sustainable polymers for modern society and development had been expanded. In addition, the current applications of synthetic and biodegradable polymers and its positive and negative impacts on the environment are also stated. The polymeric materials waste management and the sustainability of biodegradable polymers are specified

Characterization and Impact of Curing Duration on the Compressive Strength of Coconut Shell Coarse Aggregate in Concrete

Partial replacement with coconut shell coarse aggregates was studied as a means to produce lightweight coconut shell concrete (CSC). Coconut shell concrete is a structural grade lightweight concrete that has a lower self-load compared to the normal weight concrete (NWC), which allowed the production of larger precast units. An experimental study and analysis were conducted using different volume percentages of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, and 70% of coconut shell as coarse aggregates, to produce M30 (30 MPa) grade concrete. The compressive strength of the NWC and CSC were obtained on the 7th and 28th day. The optimum results obtained for M30 grade concrete at 7th and 28th day of CSC were 34.2 and 38.6 MPa, respectively. In addition, the workability and weight-reduction were analyzed and compared with NWC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS/EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were also used to investigate the structural morphology, chemical composition, and infrared functional groups of the concret

MODELLING THE EFFECTS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEMOGRAPHICS ON URBAN WATER USAGE IN KOTA SAMARAHAN, SARAWAK : A NEW EDUCATION HUB IN BORNEO ISLAND

This study was carried out to investigate the influence of socio-economic status on household water usage patterns in Kota Samarahan, which is an education hub in Sarawak, Malaysia. This study commenced with a random sampling of 200 respondents, categorised into low-, medium- and high-income households. The medium-income household category was found to have the highest amount of water usage. The results showed that an increase in income leads to an increase in socio-economic status, dwelling size, and household occupancy. It was also observed that the “numbers of children” influences the increase in water usage within a family. In addition, the data set was further analysed using multiple linear regression modelling (STEPWISE). It was found that an increase in socio-economic demographic factors, including education level, number of female adults, number of clothing washed daily, number of wage earners, and number of dishes washed daily, increased the water usage per household. The findings of this study are crucial to ensuring a sustainable urban water supply in Kota Samarahan

Plant Based Polyphenol Associations with Protein : A Prospective Review

This review discusses the classes of plant polyphenols along with their binding mechanisms with protein molecules. Generally, polyphenols bind in covalent and non-covalent orientations with protein molecules. Their addition to the protein usually results in undesirable flavors and tastes inside the proteins. They also affect the color of the food. Plant polyphenols are found to act in a protective way against cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and cancer. In addition to redox activity, their modes of action include the inhibition of key enzymes, modulation of transcription factors or cell receptors, and finally, perturbation of protein aggregates. Dietary polyphenols usually play a key role in protein digestion by forming covalent and non-covalent bonds with proteins. In addition, polyphenols and plant phenolics possess the scavenging ability of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including radical/non-radical oxygen species including HOC•, H2O2, HOCl, 1O2 (singlet oxygen), and oxidatively generated radicals derived from LDL biomolecules such as ROOC• and oligonucleic acids

Analysis of Char Prepared by Pyrolysis of Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum) Nutshells as a Potential Precursor of Biocarbon Used for Wastewater Treatment

Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum) nutshells have considerable potential to be used as a viable precursor for biomass-based activated carbon. The material was carbonized at a temperature of 700 °C for 2 h, at a heating rate of 10 °C/min under nitrogen gas flow. The char was analyzed the following ways: percentage of yield, percentage of ash content, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray analysis, and Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller surface area. The char had a maximum Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller surface area of 428 m2 /g and the nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm of the char that was similar to a Type I adsorption isotherm, based on IUPAC classifications. The char also had a high carbon content (up to 93.6%) and a low ash content (3.67%). Therefore, dabai nutshells were found to be a suitable lignocellulosic precursor for the synthesis of activated carbon