Potential Effects on Large Mara Construction Projects Due To Construction Delay

The construction industry continues to be the driving force in the growth of the nation’s socio economic development. One of the major issues in large construction industry is its frequent delay where this delay decelerates the multiplier effects to the economy. This paper presents the study of a survey on significant cause of delay and its effects in large MARA (Majlis Amanah Rakyat) construction project in the views of project management consultants (PMC). Respondents of this survey were personnel that work as PMC ranging from the executives, managerial and supporting groups. The result revealed that the five most significant delay causes as seen by PMC were cash flow and financial difficulties faced by contractors, contractor’s poor site management, inadequate contractor experience, shortage of site workers and ineffective planning and scheduling by contractors and its three most significant effects were time overrun, cost overrun and arbitration. Hopefully, the findings of this study will at least shade some lights to the problems faced by Malaysia construction industry particularly MARA large construction project and effort can be taken to improve it

A CASE STUDY: MATERIAL FLOW SIMULATION BASED ANALYSIS FOR MAINTENANCE NETWORK IMPROVEMENT

The competitiveness of enterprises operating in complex environments depends on how well their value creation factors can adapt to disruptions caused by unanticipated events. Building this resilience requires the ability to identify uncertainties and to model their impact on operations, which is difficult to achieve. Thus, increasing adaptability in maintenance and repair networks calls for an adequate approach to address uncertainties. It is necessary to consider the maintenance activities within and outside the company as well as those affecting all equipment supplier partners. Enhancement in simulation technique has opened the opportunity to analyse this complex system. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis introducing a potential approach using material flow simulation that models and simulates the impact of existing maintenance and repair activities to identify the uncertainties to increase the flexibility of the network while ensuring profitability and continuity

Linear and Non-Linear Predictive Models in Predicting Motor Assessment Scale of Stroke Patients Using Non-Motorized Rehabilitation Device

Various predictive models, both linear and non-linear, such as Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Partial Least Squares (PLS), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN), were frequently employed for predicting the clinical scores of stroke patients. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of these predictive models is somewhat impacted by how features are selected from the data to serve as inputs for the model. Hence, it's crucial to explore an ideal feature selection method to attain the most accurate prediction performance. This study primarily aims to evaluate the performance of two non-motorized three-degree-of-freedom devices, namely iRest and ReHAD using MLR, PLS and ANN predictive models and to examine the usefulness of including a hand grip function with the assessment device. The results reveal that ReHAD coupled with non-linear model (i.e. ANN) has a better prediction performance compared to iRest and at once proving that by including the hand grip function into the assessment device may increase the prediction accuracy in predicting Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) score of stroke subjects. Furthermore, these findings imply that there is a substantial association between kinematic variables and MAS scores, and as such the ANN model with a feature selection of twelve kinematic variables can predict stroke patients' MAS scores

Linear and Non-Linear Predictive Models in Predicting Motor Assessment Scale of Stroke Patients Using Non-Motorized Rehabilitation Device

Various predictive models, both linear and non-linear, such as Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Partial Least Squares (PLS), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN), were frequently employed for predicting the clinical scores of stroke patients. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of these predictive models is somewhat impacted by how features are selected from the data to serve as inputs for the model. Hence, it's crucial to explore an ideal feature selection method to attain the most accurate prediction performance. This study primarily aims to evaluate the performance of two non-motorized three-degree-of-freedom devices, namely iRest and ReHAD using MLR, PLS and ANN predictive models and to examine the usefulness of including a hand grip function with the assessment device. The results reveal that ReHAD coupled with non-linear model (i.e. ANN) has a better prediction performance compared to iRest and at once proving that by including the hand grip function into the assessment device may increase the prediction accuracy in predicting Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) score of stroke subjects. Furthermore, these findings imply that there is a substantial association between kinematic variables and MAS scores, and as such the ANN model with a feature selection of twelve kinematic variables can predict stroke patients' MAS scores

BRICS Bloc in Light of International Economic Challenges: A Study of Reality and Dimensions

Originality/value: The BRICS bloc is one of the most important international economic blocs that plays an important role in the global economy, so most of them are moving towards obtaining an economic position that is commensurate with their natural capabilities and capabilities. Russia, India, China and South Africa, represent the emerging economies of the world, and these countries aim to overcome the hegemony of the US currency as a global reserve, and the BRICS group constitutes more than a quarter of global GDP and more than 16% of global trade and about 30% of the land area and 44% of the world's population and more than 40% of the world's energy production. Purpose: The study is aimed at knowing the formation of the BRICS bloc as an emerging economic force within its economic dimensions, showing the international economic system of the BRICS countries and their ability to confront international economic institutions, and analyzing the economic indicators of each member country to know the economic size of each country. Theoretical framework: the study has relied on the deductive approach starting from real constants in collecting data and facts, as well as adopting the descriptive analytical method in studying the international economic system and the economic components of the BRICS countries within its economic dimensions.  Design/methodology/approach: it is proved that the BRICS contingent reserve arrangements to protect against global liquidity pressures, which include currency issues, have affected the members’ national currencies negatively due to global financial pressures. The economy is unstable and needs these potential reserves. The problem of the study emerges from certain questions including how strong the international economic system for the BRICS countries is and whether these countries were able to overcome global economic crises within their economic dimensions. Research,  Practical  &  Social implications: The study hypothesized that the BRICS countries have tremendous economic power as a result of building their international financial system, which they established, which enabled them to overcome the global financial crisis, unlike most countries in the world that were under the brunt of this crisis, and this is a clear indication of the success of this bloc and prove its hypothesis. In connection with the value of the study, it reflects that the BRICS countries occupy an important position in the international economy as a rising economic power through their economic nature and strategic position, in addition to the great economic capabilities that these countries possess, and this was an invitation to establish this bloc, which is a successful economic step in the face of international economic financial institutions. Finding: The most prominent findings of the research are that the presence of China in this bloc added a powerful and insignificant force to it as a result of its economic strength, which is the second largest economy in the world, and the economic strength of the BRICS bloc has led to increased economic development and the formation of a strong economic union that faces all the challenges that the bloc is exposed to

INTEGRATION OF SIMULATION TECHNOLOGIES WITH PHYSICAL SYSTEM OF RECONFIGURABLE MATERIAL HANDLING

The rapid-changing manufacturing environment requires a manufacturing system that is easily upgradeable to match new technologies and new functions such as Reconfigurable Manufacturing System (RMS). RMS is distinctive from the conventional manufacturing system, where the RMS can be accomplished by using reconfigurable hardware and software, such that its capability and functionality are changeable over time. The reconfigurable components of a RMS include mechanisms, material handling system, sensors control algorithms, machines and modules for the whole production system. The objective of this project is to verify the integration between a simulation with a physical system of a reconfigurable material handling, in order to allow the simulation software controls the physical system directly. The methodology of this project starts with modelling of the physical system. Then, the control logic of the physical system model is constructed in simulation software in line with the behavior of the real physical system. Next, PLC as the controller of reconfigurable material handling connects a computer through OPC server. The PLC communication tags are extracted from OPC server. These tags are used to build the communication between simulation and OPC server. As a result, the integration capabilities are verified by using data comparison over time between simulation and reconfigurable conveyor system

Anisotropic structural and optical properties of a-plane (11-20) AlInN nearly-lattice-matched to GaN

We report epitaxial growth of a-plane (11-20) AlInN layers nearly-lattice-matched to GaN. Unlike for c-plane oriented epilayers, a-plane Al_{1-x}In_{x}N cannot be simultaneously lattice-matched to GaN in both in-plane directions. We study the influence of temperature on indium incorporation and obtain nearly-lattice-matched Al_{0.81}In_{0.19}N at a growth temperature of 760^{o}C. We outline a procedure to check in-plane lattice mismatch using high resolution x-ray diffraction, and evaluate the strain and critical thickness. Polarization-resolved optical transmission measurements of the Al_{0.81}In_{0.19}N epilayer reveal a difference in bandgap of ~140 meV between (electric field) E_parallel_c [0001]-axis and E_perpendicular_c conditions with room-temperature photoluminescence peaked at 3.38 eV strongly polarized with E_parallel_c, in good agreement with strain-dependent band-structure calculations

Optimization of self-nanoemulsifying formulations for weakly basic lipophilic drugs: role of acidification and experimental design

ABSTRACT Formulators face great challenges in adopting systematic approaches for designing self-nanoemulsifying formulations (SNEFs) for different drug categories. In this study, we aimed to build-up an advanced SNEF development framework for weakly basic lipophilic drugs, such as cinnarizine (CN). First, the influence of formulation acidification on CN solubility was investigated. Second, formulation self-emulsification in media with different pH was assessed. Experimentally designed phase diagrams were also utilized for advanced optimization of CN-SNEF. Finally, the optimized formulation was examined using cross polarizing light microscopy for the presence of liquid crystals. CN solubility was significantly enhanced upon external and internal acidification. Among the various fatty acids, oleic acid-based formulations showed superior self-emulsification in all the tested media. Surprisingly, formulation turbidity and droplet size significantly decreased upon equilibration with CN. The design was validated using oleic acid/Imwitor308/Cremophor El (25/25/50), which showed excellent self-nanoemulsification, 43-nm droplet size (for CN-equilibrated formulations), and 88 mg/g CN solubility. In contrast to CN-free formulations, CN-loaded SNEF presented lamellar liquid crystals upon 50% aqueous dilution. These findings confirmed that CN-SNEF efficiency was greatly enhanced upon drug incorporation. The adopted strategy offers fast and accurate development of SNEFs and could be extrapolated for other weakly basic lipophilic drugs

Treatment Guidance for Patients With Lung Cancer During the Coronavirus 2019 Pandemic

The global coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic continues to escalate at a rapid pace inundating medical facilities and creating substantial challenges globally. The risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with cancer seems to be higher, especially as they are more likely to present with an immunocompromised condition, either from cancer itself or from the treatments they receive. A major consideration in the delivery of cancer care during the pandemic is to balance the risk of patient exposure and infection with the need to provide effective cancer treatment. Many aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection currently remain poorly characterized and even less is known about the course of infection in the context of a patient with cancer. As SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious, the risk of infection directly affects the cancer patient being treated, other cancer patients in close proximity, and health care providers. Infection at any level for patients or providers can cause considerable disruption to even the most effective treatment plans. Lung cancer patients, especially those with reduced lung function and cardiopulmonary comorbidities are more likely to have increased risk and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 as one of its common manifestations is as an acute respiratory illness. The purpose of this manuscript is to present a practical multidisciplinary and international overview to assist in treatment for lung cancer patients during this pandemic, with the caveat that evidence is lacking in many areas. It is expected that firmer recommendations can be developed as more evidence becomes available

Isoprene hotspots at the Western Coast of Antarctic Peninsula during MASEC′16

Isoprene (C5H8) plays an important role in the formation of surface ozone (O3) and the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) which contributed to the climate change. This study aims to determine hourly distribution of tropospheric isoprene over the Western Coast of Antarctic Peninsula (WCAP) during the Malaysian Antarctic Scientific Expedition Cruise 2016 (MASEC′16). In-situ measurements of isoprene were taken using a custom-built gas chromatography with photoionization detector, known as iDirac. Biological parameters such as chlorophyll a (chl-a) and particulate organic carbon (POC) were compared to the in-situ isoprene measurements. Significant positive correlation was observed between isoprene and POC concentrations (r2 = 0.67, p < 0.001), but not between isoprene and chl-a. The hotspots of isoprene over maritime Antarctic were then were investigated using NAME dispersion model reanalysis. Measurements showed that isoprene mixing ratio were the highest over region of King George Island, Deception Island and Booth Island with values of ∼5.0, ∼0.9 and ∼5.2 ppb, respectively. Backward trajectory analysis showed that air masses may have lifted the isoprene emitted by marine algae. We believe our findings provide valuable data set of isoprene estimation over the under sampled WCAP