Abstract: The influence of axial magnetic field (B=0.48 T) on
the variation of ionization efficiency coefficient h and secondary
electron emission coefficient g with respect to reduced electric field
E/P is studied at a new range of plane-parallel electrode spacing (0<
d< 20 cm) and different nitrogen working pressure between 0.5-20
Pa. The axial magnetic field is produced from an inductive copper
coil of radius 5.6 cm. The experimental data of breakdown voltage is
adopted to estimate the mean Paschen curves at different working
features. The secondary electron emission coefficient is calculated
from the mean Paschen curve and used to determine the minimum
breakdown voltage. A reduction of discharge voltage of about 25% is
investigated by the applied of axial magnetic field. At high interelectrode
spacing, the effect of axial magnetic field becomes more
significant for the obtained values of h but it was less for the values
of g.
Abstract: Structural Integrity Management (SIM) is
important for the protection of offshore crew, environment, business assets and company and industry reputation. API RP 2A contained guidelines for assessment of existing platforms mostly for the Gulf
of Mexico (GOM). ISO 19902 SIM framework also does not
specifically cater for Malaysia. There are about 200 platforms in
Malaysia with 90 exceeding their design life. The Petronas Carigali
Sdn Bhd (PCSB) uses the Asset Integrity Management System and
the very subjective Risk based Inspection Program for these
platforms. Petronas currently doesn-t have a standalone Petronas
Technical Standard PTS-SIM. This study proposes a recommended
practice for the SIM process for offshore structures in Malaysia,
including studies by API and ISO and local elements such as the
number of platforms, types of facilities, age and risk ranking. Case
study on SMG-A platform in Sabah shows missing or scattered
platform data and a gap in inspection history. It is to undergo a level
3 underwater inspection in year 2015.
Abstract: In this paper, an inventory model with finite and
constant replenishment rate, price dependant demand rate, time
value of money and inflation, finite time horizon, lead time and
exponential deterioration rate and with the objective of maximizing
the present worth of the total system profit is developed. Using a
dynamic programming based solution algorithm, the optimal
sequence of the cycles can be found and also different optimal
selling prices, optimal order quantities and optimal maximum
inventories can be obtained for the cycles with unequal lengths,
which have never been done before for this model. Also, a
numerical example is used to show accuracy of the solution
procedure.
Abstract: Protein and Esterase electrophoresis were used to
genetically identify two Saudi tick species. Engorged females of the
camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii (Koch) (Acari: Ixodidae) and the
cattle tick Boophilus annulatus (Say) (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks
collected from infested camels and cattle in the animals resting
house at Hail region in KSA were used. The results showed that
there are a variation in both of protein and esterase activity levels and
a high polymorphism within and between the genera and species of
Hyalomma and Boophilus . In conclusion, the protein and esterase
electrophoretic analysis used in the present study could successfully
distinguish among tick species, commonly found in Saudi Arabia.
Abstract: The present study aims to explore the role of parents'
ethnic socialization practices contributes to the ethnic identity
development, self-esteem and psychological adjustment of multi
ethnic children in Sabah, Malaysia. A total of 342 multi ethnic
children (age range = 10 years old to 14 years old; mean age = 12.65
years, SD = 0.88) and their parents participated in the present study.
The modified version of Multi group Ethnic Identity Measure
(MEIM), The Familial Ethnic Socialization Measure (FESM). The
Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) and Behavioral and Emotional
Rating Scale Edition 2 (BERS-2) were used in this study. The results
showed that: i) parents' ethnic socialization practice was a strong
predictor of ethnic identity development of multi ethnic children; ii)
parents' ethnic socialization practice also was a significant predictor
of self-esteem of multi ethnic children; iii) parents' ethnic
socialization practice was not a significant predictor of psychological
adjustment of multi ethnic children. The results of this study showed
the implications parents' ethnic socialization practices and ethnic
identity development in successful multi ethnic families.
Abstract: Laboratory activities have produced benefits in
student learning. With current drives of new technology resources
and evolving era of education methods, renewal status of learning
and teaching in laboratory methods are in progress, for both learners
and the educators. To enhance learning outcomes in laboratory works
particularly in engineering practices and testing, learning via handson
by instruction may not sufficient. This paper describes and
compares techniques and implementation of traditional (expository)
with open-ended laboratory (problem-based) for two consecutive
cohorts studying environmental laboratory course in civil engineering
program. The transition of traditional to problem-based findings and
effect were investigated in terms of course assessment student
feedback survey, course outcome learning measurement and student
performance grades. It was proved that students have demonstrated
better performance in their grades and 12% increase in the course
outcome (CO) in problem-based open-ended laboratory style than
traditional method; although in perception, students has responded
less favorable in their feedback.
Abstract: Data of wave height and wind speed were collected
from three existing oil fields in South China Sea – offshore
Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah regions. Extreme values
and other significant data were employed for analysis. The data were
recorded from 1999 until 2008. The results show that offshore
structures are susceptible to unacceptable motions initiated by wind
and waves with worst structural impacts caused by extreme wave
heights. To protect offshore structures from damage, there is a need
to quantify descriptive statistics and determine spectra envelope of
wind speed and wave height, and to ascertain the frequency content
of each spectrum for offshore structures in the South China Sea
shallow waters using measured time series. The results indicate that
the process is nonstationary; it is converted to stationary process by
first differencing the time series. For descriptive statistical analysis,
both wind speed and wave height have significant influence on the
offshore structure during the northeast monsoon with high mean wind
speed of 13.5195 knots ( = 6.3566 knots) and the high mean wave
height of 2.3597 m ( = 0.8690 m). Through observation of the
spectra, there is no clear dominant peak and the peaks fluctuate
randomly. Each wind speed spectrum and wave height spectrum has
its individual identifiable pattern. The wind speed spectrum tends to
grow gradually at the lower frequency range and increasing till it
doubles at the higher frequency range with the mean peak frequency
range of 0.4104 Hz to 0.4721 Hz, while the wave height tends to
grow drastically at the low frequency range, which then fluctuates
and decreases slightly at the high frequency range with the mean
peak frequency range of 0.2911 Hz to 0.3425 Hz.
Abstract: The systematic manipulations of shapes and sizes of
inorganic compounds greatly benefit the various application fields
including optics, magnetic, electronics, catalysis and medicine.
However shape control has been much more difficult to achieve.
Hence exploration of novel method for the preparation of differently
shaped nanoparticles is challenging research area. II-VI group of
semiconductor cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanostructure with different
morphologies (such as, acicular like, mesoporous, spherical shapes)
and of crystallite sizes vary from 11 to 16 nm were successfully
synthesized by chemical aqueous precipitation of Cd2+ ions with
homogeneously released S2- ions from decomposition of cadmium
sulphate (CdSO4) and thioacetamide (CH3CSNH2) by annealing at
different radiations (microwave, ultrasonic and sunlight) with matter
and systematic research has been done for various factors affecting
the controlled growth rate of CdS nanoparticles. The obtained
nanomaterials have been characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD),
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR),
Thermogravometric (DSC-TGA) analysis and Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM). The result indicates that on increasing the
reaction time particle size increases but on increasing the molar ratios
grain size decreases.
Abstract: The present study was done primarily to address two major research gaps: firstly, development of an empirical measure of life meaningfulness for substance users and secondly, to determine the psychosocial determinants of life meaningfulness among the substance users. The study is classified into two phases: the first phase which dealt with development of Life Meaningfulness Scale and the second phase which examined the relationship between life meaningfulness and social support, abstinence self efficacy and depression. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used for framing items. A Principal Component Analysis yielded three components: Overall Goal Directedness, Striving for healthy lifestyle and Concern for loved ones which collectively accounted for 42.06% of the total variance. The scale and its subscales were also found to be highly reliable. Multiple regression analyses in the second phase of the study revealed that social support and abstinence self efficacy significantly predicted life meaningfulness among 48 recovering inmates of a de-addiction center while level of depression failed to predict life meaningfulness.