A case study of student performance in electric circuit 2 subject

Institution of Higher Learning plays an important role [to produce high quality graduates. The most important factor that determines graduates quality shown in their CGPA. In order to maintain high CGPA. students should perform well especially in their examination where it contributes the most in the assessment. Students should mastered basic subject in order to maintain their grades. This survey is to study the reasons for poor performance of the students in Electric Circuit 2 subject. Findings have shown that student's performance was not only influence by the lecturer but also interrelated to student's ability and how they see the learning process it either they are a surface or deep learner

The effects of physiological biomechanical loading on intradiscal pressure and annulus Stress in lumbar spine: a finite element analysis

The present study was conducted to examine the effects of body weight on intradiscal pressure (IDP) and annulus stress of intervertebral discs at lumbar spine. Three-dimensional finite element model of osseoligamentous lumbar spine was developed subjected to follower load of 500 N, 800 N, and 1200 N which represent the loads for individuals who are normal and overweight with the pure moments at 7.5 Nm in flexion and extension motions. It was observed that the maximum IDP was 1.26 MPa at L1-L2 vertebral segment. However, the highest increment of IDP was found at L4-L5 segment where the IDP was increased to 30% in flexion and it was more severe at extension motion reaching to 80%. Furthermore, the maximum annulus stress also occurred at the L1-L2 segment with 3.9 MPa in extension motion. However, the highest increment was also found at L4-L5 where the annulus stress increased to 17% in extension motion. Based on these results, the increase of physiological loading could be an important factor to the increment of intradiscal pressure and annulus fibrosis stress at all intervertebral discs at the lumbar spine which may lead to early intervertebral disc damage

Collaboration initiative on green construction and sustainability through industrialized buildings systems (IBS) in the Malaysian construction industry

Malaysian Construction Industry has been urged to use innovative construction technique and to shift from traditional practice of brick and mortar to Industrialized Building System (IBS) construction. IBS is defined as a construction technique in which components are manufactured in a controlled environment (on or off site), transported, positioned and assembled into a structure with minimal additional site works. On the other hand, the issues of sustainability and green construction have been duly highlighted in the Construction Industry Master Plan (2005 – 2015) as being of significant importance for the Malaysian construction industry. The Malaysian government is also committed to addressing sustainability issues and meeting its target and obligations in this regard. This paper highlights several aspects of IBS that has the potential of contributing to green construction and sustainability. IBS promotes sustainability from controlled production environment, minimization of waste generation, extensive usage of energy efficient building material, effective logistics and long term economic stability which can contribute to better investment in environment technologies. The Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM), University of Salford and other research institutes in Malaysia will conduct a collaboration Research and Development (R&D) initiative on green construction and sustainability trough IBS implementation. From this paper, the authors hope to receive feedbacks, comments and recommendations to improve research aims, objectives, expected deliverables and research methodology

Tamadun Melayu Islam dan Pencapaian Teknologi

Budaya serta tamadun memainkan peranan yang sangat penting dalam mencorakkan rupa bentuk sesuatu bangsa atau masyarakat. Sejarah membuktikan bahawa kegemilangan peradaban dalam masyarakat Melayu masa silam terwujudnya daripada bangsa yang mempunyai jati diri dan berpegang teguh kepada ajaran Islam. Oleh itu, penulisan ini akan membincangkan konsep tamadun Melayu Islam dan pencapaian teknologi bagi kegemilangan sains dan teknologi yang dicapai oleh orang Melayu sangatlah unik kerana pencapaian ini mencerminkan keperluan serta nilai kebudayaan yang ada pada orang Melayu sendiri

Recombinant sclerostin antagonizes effects of ex vivo mechanical loading in trabecular bone and increases osteocyte lacunar size

Sclerostin has emerged as an important regulator of bone mass. We have shown that sclerostin can act by targeting late osteoblasts/osteocytes to inhibit bone mineralization and to upregulate osteocyte expression of catabolic factors, resulting in osteocytic osteolysis. Here we sought to examine the effect of exogenous sclerostin on osteocytes in trabecular bone mechanically loaded ex vivo. Bovine trabecular bone cores, with bone marrow removed, were inserted into individual chambers and subjected to daily episodes of dynamic loading. Cores were perfused with either osteogenic media alone or media containing human recombinant sclerostin (rhSCL) (50 ng/ml). Loaded control bone increased in apparent stiffness over time compared with unloaded bone, and this was abrogated in the presence of rhSCL. Loaded bone showed an increase in calcein uptake as a surrogate of mineral accretion, compared with unloaded bone, in which this was substantially inhibited by rhSCL treatment. Sclerostin treatment induced a significant increase in the ionized calcium concentration in the perfusate and the release of -CTX at several time points, an increased mean osteocyte lacunar size, indicative of osteocytic osteolysis, and the expression of catabolism-related genes. Human primary osteocyte-like cultures treated with rhSCL also released -CTX from their matrix. These results suggest that osteocytes contribute directly to bone mineral accretion, and to the mechanical properties of bone. Moreover, it appears that sclerostin, acting on osteocytes, can negate this effect by modulating the dimensions of the lacunocanalicular porosity and the composition of the periosteocyte matrix

Parameters evaluation of Unified Power Quality Conditioner

The term of “Power Quality” is used to describe the electromagnetic phenomenon in variations of voltage and current in the power system. Most power quality disturbances can come from the facility itself, such as large loads turning on simultaneously, improper wiring and grounding practices, the start-up of large motors and electronic equipments that can be both a source and victim of power quality phenomena or from externally generated, for example, lightning strokes on the power lines. Currently, there are so many industries using a high technology for the manufacturing and requiring a high quality of power supply. Therefore, the paper is focusing mainly on power quality disturbance and the technique used to improve the quality of delivered power such as Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC). A comprehensive analysis was performed on the parameters that affecting the performance UPQC and the MATLAB software has been used to simulate the test system. Based on the results of analysis, it can be confirmed that UPQC is an effective technique for quick improvement of power quality

Diversity and ecology of araceae in the water catchment area of Ulu Sat, Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia

Araceae or aroid is familiarly known as keladi to the locals. The purpose of this study is to assess the diversity and ecology of Araceae in the Water Catchment Area of Ulu Sat, Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. The random sampling method was applied. A total of 26 species from 13 genera of Araceae were recorded from the water catchment area of Ulu Sat, Machang, Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. This represents about 18.6% out of an estimated 140 species and 46.2% of the 28 genera of Araceae reported for Peninsular Malaysia. The result also shows that 24 species or 92.3% of the collection are the common Araceae species found in lowland dipterocarp forest in Peninsular Malaysia. However, the collection include the species recently recorded, Aglaonema cochinchinense Engl. and the endemic species, Alocasia puber (Hassk.) Schott for Peninsular Malaysia. The paper will also discuss the distribution and ecology of some important Araceae collected from this area

The littoral sea cucumber (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) fauna of Guam re-assessed – a diversity curve that still does not asymptote

The Micronesian island of Guam has been an important site for the study of tropical holothuroid taxonomy for almost 200 years. Despite such substantial attention by both expeditions and resident taxonomists, new records are being regularly added to the fauna demonstrating the challenge of documenting the biota of even a small hyper-diverse area. Guam is the type locality of species described by Quoy & Gaimard (1833) and Brandt (1835). A survey of the sea cucumber fauna by Rowe & Doty (1977) led to one of the most used guides for the identification of tropical Pacific sea cucumbers because of the color illustrations of living animals it presented. Focus on echinoderms including holothuroids continued with numerous new records added in the following decades. Paulay (2003) summarized the fauna last, recording 46 species, including 9 new records. At this stage the fauna was thought to be well documented. A week-long workshop on holothuroid systematics sponsered by the NSF PEET project in 2010 included a substantial field work component, sampling both during the day and night, with snorkeling and SCUBA, across a variety of habitats, yielding more than 40 species. 10 of these proved new records for Guam; two proved new to science. Further sampling by Kerr’s lab since the workshop has added two additional species. The holothuroid fauna of Guam thus now comprises 58 species that belong to 17 genera and 7 families. This contribution presents them as an illustrated and briefly annotated checklist

Establishment of Wolbachia strain wAlbB in Malaysian populations of Aedes aegypti for dengue control

Dengue has enormous health impacts globally. A novel approach to decrease dengue incidence involves the introduction of Wolbachia endosymbionts that block dengue virus transmission into populations of the primary vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti. The wMel Wolbachia strain has previously been trialed in open releases of Ae. aegypti; however, the wAlbB strain has been shown to maintain higher density than wMel at high larval rearing temperatures. Releases of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes carrying wAlbB were carried out in 6 diverse sites in greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with high endemic dengue transmission. The strain was successfully established and maintained at very high population frequency at some sites or persisted with additional releases following fluctuations at other sites. Based on passive case monitoring, reduced human dengue incidence was observed in the release sites when compared to control sites. The wAlbB strain of Wolbachia provides a promising option as a tool for dengue control, particularly in very hot climates

Spatial distribution and long-term persistence of Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti in the Mentari Court, Malaysia

Dengue is endemic in Malaysia, and vector control strategies are vital to reduce dengue transmission. The Wolbachia strain wAlbB carried by both sexes of Ae. aegypti was released in Mentari Court, a high-rise residential site, in October 2017 and stopped after 20 weeks. Wolbachia frequencies are still being monitored at multiple traps across this site, providing an opportunity to examine the spatiotemporal distribution of Wolbachia and mosquito density with respect to year, residential block, and floor, using spatial interpolation in ArcGIS, GLMs, and contingency analyses. In just 12 weeks, Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes were established right across the Mentari Court site with an overall infection frequency of >90%. To date, the Wolbachia frequency of Ae. aegypti has remained high in all areas across the site despite releases finishing four years ago. Nevertheless, the Wolbachia invaded more rapidly in some residential blocks than others, and also showed a relatively higher frequency on the eighth floor. The Ae. aegypti index tended to differ somewhat between residential blocks, whilst the Ae. albopictus index was relatively higher at the top and bottom floors of buildings. In Mentari Court, only a short release period was required to infiltrate Wolbachia completely and stably into the natural population. The results inform future releases in comparable sites in a dengue control programme