A Proposed Double Moving Average (DMA) Control Chart [TS156.8. W872 2007 f rb].

Teknik carta kawalan telah digunakan secara meluas dalam industri untuk mengawal kualiti proses pengeluaran. Carta kawalan dengan ingatan diperkenalkan sebagai alternatif kepada carta Shewhart untuk pengesanan anjakan tetap proses yang kecil. Control chart techniques have been widely used in industries to monitor the quality of manufacturing processes. Memory control charts are introduced as alternatives to the Shewhart charts for quick detections of small sustaining process shifts

Fibers, Geopolymers, Nano and Alkali-Activated Materials for Deep Soil Mix Binders

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Lime (CaO) have traditionally been used as binder materials for Deep Soil Mix (DSM) ground improvement. Research has been conducted into possible alternatives such as pozzolans to reduce reliance on either cement or lime. However, pozzolans still undergo similar calcium-based reactions in the strengthening process. In this review, further alternative binder materials for soil strength development are explored. These recent developments include fiber reinforcement materials, alkali activation methods, nanomaterials and geopolymers, which can potentially achieve equal or improved performance. Research to date has shown that alkali-activated materials and geopolymers can be equivalent or superior alternatives to pozzolanic supplemented cement binders. The case is made for GP cements which potentially produces 80% less CO2 than conventional portland cement during manufacture. One-part AAM and GP cements are a promising substitute for portland cement in DSM. A combined approach which incorporates both Ca and alkali activated/geopolymer types of materials and hence reactions is proposed

Optimal Designs Of Univariate And Multivariate Synthetic Control Charts Based On Median Run Length

Univariate and multivariate control charts are usually optimally designed using average run length (ARL) as a sole measure of the charts’ performances. It is well known that the shape of the run length distribution for the univariate and multivariate charts changes from highly skewed when the process is in-control to approximately symmetric for large process shifts. Therefore, the median run length (MRL) is a more meaningful interpretation of the in-control and out-of-control performances of the charts and provides additional information not given by the average run length (ARL)

Development of a Practical Kit and a Citizen Scientist Program for Learning Chemistry

Laboratory practical is an essential component for effective learning of science. Providing laboratory experience can be challenging for some rural schools with limited laboratory facilities. The situation was exacerbated when schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This thesis reports a laboratory kit design based on the Standard Curriculum for Secondary Schools in Malaysia (Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Menengah, KSSM). The kit was evaluated by students and experienced teachers from town and rural schools. Pre- and post-test was conducted with the students before and after using the kit. A questionnaire was disseminated to appraise the students’ perceptions on practical learning. There was a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in the overall score of the post-test (90.32) compared to the pre-test (71.00). Both rural and town schools demonstrated a significant increase in the overall mean scores, from 68.67 and 73.34 in the pre-test to 91.34 and 89.33 in the post-test. There was also improvement in affection for chemistry among students after using the kit. The practical kit can be deployed in schools with laboratory constraints and to be used outside the school settings. It was designed to be affordable compared to traditional lab setting, safe and environmental-friendly due to minimal chemical used, and providing individualized hands-on exposure. Besides, this thesis also reports a citizen science program on household food waste for students to introduce the idea of citizen science to them and to evaluate their learning experience. The project focused on quantification of avoidable solid food wastes in the households using the food waste diary. The results were positive, that is more than 80% of the participants agreed that this program increased their interest in chemistry learning, raised awareness of food waste reduction and waste management, and improved scientific skills such as food waste measurement

Komposisi Jingles:Keistimewaan Dan Keunikan Kampung Budaya Sarawak Dan Anti-Merokok

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menghasilkan dua komposisi jingle yang diiringi dengan irama atau lagu yang mudah bersama-sama dengan elemen visual. Dua komposisi ini adalah bertemakan “Keistimewaan dan Keunikan Kampung Budaya Sarawak” dan “Anti- Merokok”. Dua komposisi ini akan diiringi dengan dua klip video di mana rakaman akan dibuat di sekeliling Kampung Budaya Sarawak dan di sekitar kawasan Sibu. Masa bagi setiap klip video ini adalah di antara dua hingga lima minit

EFFECTS OF RENT-SEEKING ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN LOW-INCOME ECONOMIES

Sluggish growth in low-income countries, despite the high performance in other economic indicators, motivates the literature to switch attention to institutions. Despite its crucial economic implications, there is limited attention on rent-seeking as a driver of economic growth in low-income countries. This paper investigates the effect of rent-seeking on growth in low-income countries from 2004 to 2017using the system generalized method of moments estimator. The empirical results reveal that rent-seeking negatively affects growth, implying that it obstructs the pace of economic development in low-income countries. Hence, it is necessary for policymakers in these countries to adopt anti-rent-seeking policies to promote a rapid and sustainable growth.Sluggish growth in low-income countries, despite the high performance in other economic indicators, motivates the literature to switch attention to institutions. Despite its crucial economic implications, there is limited attention on rent-seeking as a driver of economic growth in low-income countries. This paper investigates the effect of rent-seeking on growth in low-income countries from 2004 to 2017using the system generalized method of moments estimator. The empirical results reveal that rent-seeking negatively affects growth, implying that it obstructs the pace of economic development in low-income countries. Hence, it is necessary for policymakers in these countries to adopt anti-rent-seeking policies to promote a rapid and sustainable growth

Cell saver filtering of extravasated rhBMP-2 after degenerative scoliosis reconstruction

AbstractRhBMP-2 is a bone fusion enhancer commonly used in scoliosis reconstruction surgery. It is delivered via an absorbable collagen sponge but has been known to migrate away from its delivery site. RhBMP-2 extravasation in surgical drainage has been noted during first two days post-surgery. Cell savers are widely used in scoliosis reconstruction to limit transfusion requirements and are commonly deployed in cases where rhBMP-2 is used for fusion augmentation. It is not known whether rhBMP-2 is present in salvaged blood or filtered away during cell saver recycling. Through this case series of four patients who underwent scoliosis reconstruction, we assess cell saver efficacy in filtering rhBMP-2 molecules by quantifying the amount of rhBMP-2 present in salvaged blood obtained after postoperative drainage recycling by OrthoPAT® cell saver and comparing it to rhBMP-2 leakage in postoperative drainage without cell saver recycling. We report an almost 10-fold reduction of rhBMP-2 concentration in salvaged blood obtained after cell saver recycling of postoperative drainage, suggesting cell saver effectiveness in filtering rhBMP-2 molecules

Comparative Assessment of Three Fungal Genus in Mycoremediation of Spent Engine Oil: A Brief Review

Spent engine oil is composed of various aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, lubricative additives, and traces of heavy metal. Improper disposal of spent engine oil can lead to deleterious effects on humans due to spent engine oil properties, which can exert toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity on cells and organs. The conventional method to remove hydrocarbon in the spent engine oil is not only expensive but unable to degrade the hydrocarbon completely. In comparison, the mycoremediation approach has been reported to be environmentally friendly, efficient, and cost-effective. The main objective of this review article is to identify the fungal isolate which is most efficient to degrade spent engine oil by assessing the biomass production and the percentage of spent engine oil degraded. Based on the comparative information obtained, Mucor sp. showed the highest biomass production in the presence of spent engine oil. Trichoderma sp. and Aspergillus niger were found to have average biomass production and it depending on the strain and incubation period. Both A. flavus and A. nidulans were found to have the lowest biomass production. In terms of spent engine oil degradation, Mucor sp, Trichoderma sp. and A. niger showed &gt;55% degradation as compared to A. flavus and A. nidulans which have less than 50% degradation. Therefore, from the results of the study, it can be concluded that Mucor sp. has the best potential to degrade spent engine oil within a short period based on the high biomass production and percentage of degradation. The comparative data also suggest that by selecting the right strain and right incubation period, the percentage of spent engine oil degradation by using Trichoderma sp. and A. niger could also increase