Synthesis Of Ultrafine Ba07 Sr0.3 TiO3 by Mechanically Activating Process.

The project 'Synthesis of Ultrafine Ba0.7 Sr0.3 TiO3 by Mechanically Activating Process' was successfully completed early 2008. As reported in the technical report attached, the single phase BST was produced successfully at a relatively low temperature of 500oC, albeit the challenges encountered during the synthesis, one of which is the caking problem as well as melting of phase formed. The caking effect was due to the mechanical activation process, while the melting phase was a result of the low meting chemicals used

Firm's size and solvency performance: evidence from the Malaysian public listed firms

Firm solvency is one of the important indicators in measuring firm's performance. Firm ability to grow and sustaining their business in the highly competitive business environment depends significantly on its cash flow management capacity that subsequently results to a business stay solvent at every phase of business life cycle. Early detection of financial distress is important for every firm of various sizes. Previous findings on firm's size and solvency performance varies which tendency on agreeing to the assumption that larger firms have the advantages to avoid insolvency as compare to smaller firms. However, previous studies have also revealed that larger firms such as public listed company were not escape from facing financial distress which eventually lead to insolvency. Therefore, the study was aimed to identify the influence of firm's size and solvency performance of public listed firms in 1.1alaysia. A total of 149 firms were used to measure their financial data performance for a period between 2011 and 2014. Firm total assets and paid capital were used as a proxy to firm size. The current ratio and debt ratio were used as a proxy to measure the solvency performance. The study found that firm size measured by total assets has moderately influence the solvency performance of firms indicated by the debt ratio and current ratio. However the firm size measured by paid-up capital has lesser influence on solvency performance measured by debt ratio and no influence on current ratio

Influence of parental involvement and peer support on mathematics engagement among Malaysian secondary school students

The aim of this study is to explore these two factors that contribute to shifts in student mathematics engagement among secondary boarding school students. The investigation involved a correlational study of 313 respondents were chosen using proportionate stratified sampling from 13 different secondary boarding schools in Malaysia. The findings of this study revealed students were engaged in mathematics with an overall mean of 3.76 (SD = .36) on a likert scale of 1 - 5. They were more engaged in behavior (M = 3.88, SD = .480) than affective (M = 3.80; SD= .460) or cognitive (M = 3.61, SD = .430) domains. It was also found students received good support from peers (M=4.05, SD= 0.530) and parents (M=3.47, SD= .680). Correlational analysis also showed positive relationships between parents’ involvement (r = .480; p < .001), peer support (r = .490; p < .001) and students’ mathematics engagement. Further analysis indicated these two factors influenced students’ mathematic engagement in the classroom. This study provide evidence on the importance of peer support and parental involvement to increase students’ mathematics engagement in the classroom

Comparison of the effectiveness of StyleWriter and Microsoft Word computer software to improve English writing skills

This study compared the effectiveness of two types of computer software for improving the English writing skills of pupils in a Malaysian primary school. Sixty students who participated in the seven-week training course were divided into two groups, with the experimental group using the StyleWriter software and the control group using the Microsoft Word programme. A pre-test was administered before the experiment was conducted. This was followed by post-tests upon completion of the course, where a computer-based assessment, as well as a pen-and-paper assessment, was employed. In each test, four components of writing skills were assessed, namely grammar, vocabulary, spelling, sentence structure, besides the overall performance. The findings indicated that the students who were exposed to StyleWriter had significantly better scores in all the writing components compared to the control group using Microsoft Word in both pen-and-paper and computer-based essay writing assessments. This study showed that StyleWriter enhanced the students’ writing skills even when computer assistance was no longer available

Causes of poor math education in Iran and solutions for improving based on other countries experience

Mathematics learning disabilities (LD) have gained increased attention over the last decade from both researchers and practitioners Mathematic undoubted is one of the important courses which students need to know in all of the education stages. A large percentage of students receiving learning disability services experience difficulties with mathematics, but little research has examined the specific mathematics behaviors of students with LD who have teacher-identified math weaknesses. In this study, first we consider mathematics teaching in Iran and then propose solutions based on other countries experience. In general; there are various factors that prevent teaching and learning actively among students. Causes of math educational weakness relate to 3 categories : education ; students and book content solutions to improve each of them should be considered. A knowledgeable and active teacher should react to these factor before teaching then try to control preventive learning elements and provide essential motivation for active learning a money all of students

UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN MATHEMATICS LEARNING

Attention to integrate technology in teaching and learning has provided a major transformation in the landscape of education. Therefore, many innovations in teaching and learning have been technology-driven. The study attempted to examine what is engineering students’ perception regarding the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in mathematics learning as well as investigate their opinion about how ICT can be integrated to improve teaching and learning processes. The subjects were Iranian engineering students from two universities. The finding showed they are fully aware of importance of ICT in teaching and learning mathematics. Whilst, they were feeling comfortable and confident with technology, they do not have more experience of using technology in mathematics classes before. The findings supported the other studies, which indicated the potentials of ICT to facilitate students’ learning, improve teaching, and enhance institutional administration as established in the literature.Keywords: Technology, Mathematics Learning, Facebook, Attitude Toward ICT DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22342/jme.5.2.1498.138-14

PNEUMATICALLY ACTUATED ACTIVE SUSPENSION SYSTEM FOR REDUCING VEHICLE DIVE AND SQUAT

This manuscript provides a detailed derivation of a full vehicle model, which may be used to simulate the behavior of a vehicle in longitudinal direction. The dynamics of a 14 degrees of freedom (14- DOF) vehicle model is derived and integrated with an analytical tire dynamics namely Calspan tire model. The full vehicle model is then validated experimentally with an instrumented experimental vehicle based on the driver input from brake or throttle. Several transient handling tests are performed, including sudden acceleration test and sudden braking test at constant speed. Comparisons of the experimental result and model response with sudden braking and throttling imposed motion are made. The results of model validation showed that the trends between simulation results and experimental data are almost similar with acceptable error. An active suspension control system is developed on the validated full vehicle model to reduce unwanted vehicle motions during braking and throttling maneuver. A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) scheme integrated with pitch moment rejection loop is proposed to control the system. In presented scheme the result verify improved performance of the proposed control structure during braking and throttling maneuvers compared to the passive vehicle system. It can also be noted that the additional pitch moment rejection loop is able to further improve the performance of the PID controller for the system. The proposed controller will be used to investigate the benefits of a pneumatically actuated active suspension system for reducing unwanted vehicle motion in longitudinal direction

Keberkesanan penggunaan video dalam amali masakan

Kajian ini bertujuan menentukan keberkesanan penggunaan video terhadap skor masakan murid bagi empat jenis masakan iaitu masakan pagi, tengahari, malam dan tengah malam. Rekabentuk eksperimen ini melibatkan 34 orang murid yang dibahagikan secara rawak kepada dua kumpulan iaitu kumpulan demonstrasi (16 orang) dan kumpulan video (18 orang). Kajian yang dijalankan selama lapan minggu ini menunjukkan tidak terdapat perbezaan signifikan bagi skor masakan pagi dan tengah hari. Sementara itu, dapatan kajian menunjukkan murid yang didedahkan dengan kaedah demonstrasi mendapat skor secara signifikan lebih tinggi berbanding dengan kaedah video bagi penyediaan makan tengahari. Sebaliknya, bagi penyediaan makanan tengah malam pula menunjukkan murid yang melalui pembelajaran menggunakan video mencatat skor lebih baik berbanding kaedah demonstrasi. Dapatan kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa penggunaan video boleh digunakan bagi amali masakan sebagai membantu guru dalam mengendalikan kelas amali tersebut

Keterlibatan murid Kolej Vokasional berpencapaian rendah dalam pengajaran dan pembelajaran Matematik menerusi pendekatan ‘Q-methodology’

Keterlibatan dilihat sebagai konstruk penting yang berkait rapat dengan pencapaian murid. Kajian ini dijalankan bertujuan untuk melihat keterlibatan murid Kolej Vokasional berpencapaian rendah dalam Matematik sama ada keterlibatan tingkah laku, keterlibatan kognitif atau keterlibatan afektif serta mengenalpasti jenis keterlibatan yang mempengaruhi individu terbabit dalam mempelajari Matematik. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan ‘Q-methodology’ yang diperkenalkan oleh William Stephenson (1902-1989) pada tahun 1935. ‘Q-methodology’ merupakan satu teknik penyelidikan yang membolehkan penyelidik mengenalpasti, memahami dan mengkategorikan persepsi individu serta mengumpulkan individu yang mempunyai persamaan persepsi terhadap sesuatu perkara. Dalam kajian ini, persepsi pelajar berkaitan keterlibatan Matematik dalam pengajaran dan pembelajaran Matematik dapat dikelompokkan. Seterusnya, kelompok pendapat yang subjektif ini digunakan untuk mengenalpasti faktor berkaitan keterlibatan yang mempengaruhi pencapaian murid dalam Matematik. Seramai 29 orang murid Kolej Vokasional Dato’ Lela Maharaja, Rembau berpencapaian rendah dalam Matematik terlibat dalam kajian ini. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan terdapat empat kumpulan murid Kolej Vokasional berpencapaian rendah dalam Matematik berdasarkan keterlibatan mereka dalam pengajaran dan pembelajaran Matematik. Empat kumpulan ini juga dikenali sebagai faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi pencapaian murid Kolej Vokasional berpencapaian rendah dalam Matematik iaitu kebimbangan terhadap Matematik, pembelajaran Matematik perlu fokus yang tinggi, pembelajaran Matematik perlu bermakna dan Matematik sukar untuk dipelajari

Modelling and Validation of an Electronic Wedge Brake System with Realistic Quarter Car Model for Anti-Lock Braking System Design

With the advancement in battery and electronics technologies, soon Electric Vehicles (EV) will replace traditional vehicles as they are more efficient and environment friendly. This will require replacement of all mechanical systems in vehicles with their electrical counterparts. This study focuses on electromechanical brakes (EMB) as replacement of hydraulics brakes. Particularly a type of EMB known as Electronic Wedge Brake (EWB) which uses wedges to create self reinforcing braking force and consume less power than other EMBs. Detailed mathematical model of an EWB system is presented which provides braking force and torque to the disk brake. A Quarter Car Model (QCM) with realistic parameter values and aerodynamic deceleration is modelled to validate the EWB system. The system is validated for different road conditions and anti-lock braking system (ABS) is demonstrated for snowy road using a single PID controller. The results validate the brake and car model and a need for cascaded control strategy to implement ABS is established