bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Tourism in Economic Growth of India
Authors: Tiwari Rajesh , Anjum Bimal
Published: March 2016

This chapter evaluates the role of tourism for economic growth of India. Tourism and hospitality sector contributes 6.8% in India's GDP. For a country with 30 world heritage sites and a rich culture, tourism and hospitality industry has great potential to enhance tourist flow and accelerate economic growth due to multiplier effect of tourism on job creation. The descriptive research design is used for the study. The study examined the correlation of economic variables on foreign tourist arrivals. The paper evaluated the success stories of Kerala and Gujarat as a case of focused approach towards tourism. Secondary source of data is used to examine the trend of tourism and its role in economic growth of the country. Gross domestic capital formation was found to have highest correlation with foreign tourist arrivals. Growth rate of foreign tourist arrival is found to have significant positive correlation with growth rate of service sector in India and gross state domestic product of Kerala and Gujarat.
Harmonising CSR and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies to Build Community Adaptive Capacity in Bali's Tourism Sector
Authors: Rahmawati Putu Indah , DeLacy Terry , Jiang Min
Published: March 2016

Building community adaptive capacity to tackle climate change risks in the tourism sector is challenging. It is limited by poverty, poor communication and knowledge, low levels of institutional capacity and a lack of support from government or tourism authorities. Using Bali as a case study, this chapter aims to demonstrate how tourism businesses could implement mitigation and adaptation strategies through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, as well as help host communities to enhance their capacity to tackle climate change risks. In-depth interviews, focus group discussion (FGD), and observations were used to collect data. The findings of this study indicate that the CSR of tourism industries could enhance community adaptive capacity to climate change through environmental, economic and social responsibility. It is also concluded that the tourism industry's CSR initiatives can play an importance role in empowering communities to tackle environmental challenges.
Porous Silicon Antireflection Coating for Solar Cells Using Chemical Etching in HF-FeCl3-H2O
Authors: Chaoui Rachid , Mahmoudi Bedra , Si Ahmed Yasmine
Published: March 2016

Stain etching of silicon solar cells in HF-FeCl3-H2O solutions as a last step in the processing sequence is reported. The etching was carried out without protecting the screen printed contacts. Following optimization of the solution composition and using very short etching times to alleviate the contact degradation problem, the solar cell weighted reflectance (Rw) between 400 and 1100 nm could be reduced from 38.23% to 11.54%. For the best small area cell (~20 cm2), the PS antireflective layer led to a relative improvement of 62.74% in the short-circuit current density, the FF was enhanced by 5.5% absolute, the open-circuit voltage was increased by 1.2 mV and the cell conversion efficiency was raised by 4.1% absolute from 5.4% to 9.5%. The best large area cell (~78 cm2) shows the following changes after porous layer formation: a relative improvement of 45.43% in the short-circuit current density, an improvement in the FF of 7.4% absolute, an increase in the open-circuit voltage by 7.5 mV and an enhancement in the cell efficiency by 4.0% absolute from 6.2% to 10.2%. This method shows a great potential for the cost-effective reduction of reflectance losses in industrial silicon solar cell manufacturing.
Design of PnPSat Protocol and its Implementation on CAN Bus
Authors: Chen Jian , Ning Ming Feng , Zhang Shi Jie , Xu Guo Dong
Published: March 2016

Plug-and-play satellite(PnPSat) means that when a plug-and-play device is inserted in the system, it can be detected and configured dynamically with no jumpers and software configuration in the process of runtime. PnPSat is going to be operating in Low Earth Orbit, so it must be quickly adjusted to meet different requirements and need standardized components. In terms of time and budget, integration is a signiﬁcant time-consuming component of spacecraft development. This paper proposes a new network architecture which separates the link layer and the network layer so that the application on the top can be used without any effect when the link layer is changed. To meet the requirement of automatic configuration, we design a protocol cluster including device identification protocol and data transfer protocol and implement them on CAN bus. Compared with the Space Communication Protocol Specifications (SCPS), the protocol cluster is much more suitable for microsatellite with the characteristics of simple, reliable and easy to implement.
Fatigue Life Prediction under Variable Loading Based a Non-Linear Energy Model
Authors: Djebli Abdelkader , Bendouba Mostefa , Abdelkarim Aid
Published: March 2016

A method of fatigue damage accumulation based upon application of energy parameters of the fatigue process is proposed in the paper. Using this model is simple, it has no parameter to be determined, it requires only the knowledge of the curve W–N (W: strain energy density N: number of cycles at failure) determined from the experimental Wöhler curve. To examine the performance of nonlinear models proposed in the estimation of fatigue damage and fatigue life of components under random loading, a batch of specimens made of 6082 T6 aluminium alloy has been studied and some of the results are reported in the present paper. The paper describes an algorithm and suggests a fatigue cumulative damage model, especially when random loading is considered. This work contains the results of uni-axial random load fatigue tests with different mean and amplitude values performed on 6082 T6 aluminium alloy specimens. The proposed model has been formulated to take into account the damage evolution at different load levels and it allows the effect of the loading sequence to be included by means of a recurrence formula derived for multilevel loading, considering complex load sequences. It is concluded that a ‘damaged stress interaction damage rule’ proposed here allows a better fatigue damage prediction than the widely used Palmgren–Miner rule, and a formula derived in random fatigue could be used to predict the fatigue damage and fatigue lifetime very easily. The results obtained by the model are compared with the experimental results and those calculated by the most fatigue damage model used in fatigue (Miner’s model). The comparison shows that the proposed model, presents a good estimation of the experimental results. Moreover, the error is minimized in comparison to the Miner’s model.
Role of Production Part Approval Process in Continuous Quality Improvement and Customer Satisfaction
Authors: Doshi Jigar A. , Desai Darshak A.
Published: March 2016

Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) defines generic requirements for production part approval, including production and bulk material. The objective of PPAP is to recognize all customer requirements and to prove that manufacturing process has the potential to produce product consistently meeting these requirements during actual production run. Hence it increases customer confidence in the organisation and enhance customer satisfaction, but PPAP is much more than that. By implementing PPAP, organisation gets more benefits like manufacturing process improvement and standardisation, rejection reduction, high quality product, customer acceptance and many more which contributes towards continuous quality improvement. In this case study based research, the role of PPAP in the quality improvement and customer satisfaction is presented. The PPAP was implemented in four Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and its effect on quality and customer satisfaction was monitored. The experience of the SMEs and their customer’s feedback after implementation of PPAP is presented as a result.
A Proposed Model for Sustaining Quality Assurance Using TQM Practices in Small and Medium Scale Industries
Authors: Nallusamy S.
Published: March 2016

In earlier decades several studies made on Total Quality Management (TQM) practices in small and medium scale enterprises. By compiling the various research works that were carried out during 2010-2015 in the field of Small and Medium-Scale Industries (SMSIs) TQM can be broadly conceptualized in to as flexible and rigid practices. From the limited level of investigations so far made on the various research works it has lead in identifying the different factors that influence TQM practices in SMSIs and its supplementary growth. The purpose of this article is to examine the influence of flexible and rigid TQM practices in SMSIs. It gives a broad overview of how TQM practices are constructed and how it acts on the various quality improvements. This work is expected to widely sensitize the TQM practices in SMSIs and how quality assurance in organizations will have to gain its place in future.
Effect of Anodic and Cathodic Chloride Contents on the Macrocell Corrosion and Polarization Behavior of Reinforcing Steel
Authors: Cao Zhong Lu , Chen Hao Yu , Wei Lian Yu , Hibino Makoto
Published: March 2016

The effect of anodic and cathodic chloride contents on the macrocell corrosion and polarization behavior of reinforcing steel embedded in cement mortars were investigated and clarified. The results indicated that the higher cathodic chloride content could accelerate the cathodic reaction of cathode and make the controlling mode of macrocell corrosion changed from cathodic control to mixed control or anodic control. The higher anodic chloride content could accelerate the anodic reaction of anode and make the macrocell corrosion more controlled by cathode. These results will provide a guide to inhibiting the macrocell corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete, which are not only useful for engineers to design and construct the new marine reinforced concrete structures, but also are helpful for engineers to repair or rehabilitate the existing chloride contaminated reinforced concrete structures, in the condition of avoiding the adverse effect of macrocell corrosion induced by the non-uniform distribution of anodic and cathodic chloride.
Evaluation of Leachate Characteristics from Different Leachate Ponds in a Semi-Aerobic Landfill
Authors: Olisa Emmanuel , Sapari Nasiman , Malakahmad Amirhossein , Ezechi Ezerie Henry , Riahi Ali , Salihi Ibrahim Umar , Orji Kalu Uka
Published: March 2016

In this study, the performance of a semi-aerobic landfill was monitored through the analysis of leachate composition collected from different leachate ponds; collection pump (CP), equalization pond (EQ) and aerated pond (AP). The landfill site is located in the tropical environment of the central region of Malaysia. Twenty parameters were analyzed and the average values of the parameters for leachate at the CP, EQ and AP, which include; pH (8.24, 8.00 and 8.73), total kjeldahl nitrogen (3987.25, 8744.6, 1927.31 TKN-N), ammonia-N (3726, 3800, 1560 mg/L NH3-N), nitrate (26.7, 33.3, 25 mg/L NO3-N), total phosphorus (0.85, 0.78, 0.92 mg/L PO43-), BOD5 (305, 311.3, 201 mg/L), COD (16100, 14587, 12780 mg/L), BOD5/COD (0.019, 0.021, 0.016), turbidity (405, 735, 940 NTU), colour (3991, 4122, 3412 Pt Co), TSS (109.3, 58, 50.7 mg/L), EC (32.8, 21.9, 37.0 mS/cm) and TDS (21.98, 14.7, 24.8 mg/L) were recorded appropriately. The results realized from the analysis of the three ponds, were compared with previously published data and also the standards specified by the Malaysia Environmental Quality Act 1974. The obtained results indicate that the leachate from the aerated pond could remove some of the pollutants and was more stabilized when compared with the leachate from the pump and equalization ponds. It is also found that the aeration process in aerated pond could enhance the reduction of pollutants in the leachate. The measured leachates would require appropriate treatment methods in order to reduce the pollutants to meet the discharge standard before releasing them into water courses.
Absorption Features and Luminescence Enhancement of Tellurite Glass Embedded with Metallic Nanoparticles
Authors: Sahar M.R. , Sazali Ezza Syuhada , Yusoff Nurulhuda Mohammad
Published: March 2016

This presentation provides a panoramic overview of the recent progress in nanoglass plasmonics, challenges, excitement, applied interests and the future promises. Enhanced optical properties of rare earth (RE) doped glasses for sundry applications are current challenges in materials science and technology. Nanoparticles (NPs) dispersed up-converted (UC) glasses seem to be the ideal candidates in terms of both efficiency and large area coverage provided the absorption cross-section be enhanced. The glasses containing gold NPs (AuNPs) and silver NPs (AgNPs) doped with optimum concentration of RE ions are of particular interest to us. We report the influence of embedded NPs on the luminescence and absorbance characteristics of RE ions doped tellurite glass prepared by melt-quenching method. The absorption and emission spectra displays several prominent peaks corresponding to the transitions from the ground state to the excited states of RE ion. The observed efficient enhancement of up-conversion emissions and absorbance in the entire visible region is attributed to strong localized electric field in vicinity of NPs. Improvements of radiative emissions suggests that the proposed glasses are potential for the development of solid state lasers, color displays and nanophotonic devices.
Magnetic Properties and Microstructures of Cobalt Substituted Barium Hexaferrites Derived from Steel Waste Product via Mechanical Alloying Technique
Authors: Azis Ra'ba'ah Syahidah , Hashim Mansor , Azmi Zakaria , Hassan Jumiah , Daud Noruzaman , Mohd Shahrani Nuraine Mariana , Siang Pua Chong
Published: March 2016

The mechanical alloying technique was used to prepare barium hexaferrite (BaM) with 3, 5, 10 and 20 wt% cobalt oxide (Co3O4). In this work, steel waste flakes were cold-rolling steel mill for several hours to form a fine powder. The steel waste powder was purified by using magnetic separation to isolate the magnetic and non magnetic particles. The method was continued for Curie temperature separation technique to separate the magnetic ions by varied Curie temperature of the magnetic powder. The purified powder was then oxidize at 500 °C at 6 °C/mins to form hematite, Fe2O3. The steel waste-derived hematite was used as the raw material in preparing BaM ferrites. The BaCO3, Fe2O3 and different percentages of Co3O4 (Co) were mixed and milled for several hours by using mechanical alloying. The powder were pelletised in 11 × 1 mm (diameter × height) and the sintered at 1200 °C for 10 hours. The addition of Co2+/3+ ions to the BaM shows a varying in the magnetic properties of BaM. By increasing the Co doping, the remanence Mr was reduced from 17.6 emu/g to 6.2 emu/g. The coercivity Hc results varying magnitude from 102 Oe to 1079 Oe. The Mr and Hc of undoped BaM is obtain at 14.6 emu/g and 860 Oe, respectively. The grain size of BaM also increases with Co doping. The densities of the compounds are decreasing with increasing Co doping with a maximum value of 4.2 g/cm3.
Preparation and Characterization of Sr1−xNdxFe12O19 Derived from Steel-Waste Product via Mechanical Alloying
Authors: Daud Noruzaman , Azis Ra'ba'ah Syahidah , Hashim Mansor , Matori Khamirul Amin , Hassan Jumiah , Saiden Norlaily Mohd , Mohd Shahrani Nuraine Mariana
Published: March 2016

Steel waste product had been used as the main source of raw material in the preparation of permanent magnets ferrites. Steel waste product is an impure material that contains the iron oxide and impurities. The steel waste product is a form of flakes is grinding for several hours to form a fine powder. The iron oxide powder is separated from magnetic and non-magnetic particle using magnetic particle separation. The magnetic particle was again been purified by using the Curie temperature separation technique. The magnetic powder was carried out from the purification and oxidize at 500 °C for 6 hours at 2 °C/ mins to form the hematite, Fe2O3, used as a raw powder to prepare SrFe12O19. Microstructure of Nd-doped strontium ferrites, Sr1-xNdxFe12O19, with x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5, were prepared through a mechanical alloying technique. Several characterizations have been done, such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The magnetic properties of coercivity (Hc) and the energy product BHmax of samples are carried out. The magnetic properties of samples were investigated with an expectation of enhancing the magnetic properties by substitutions of Nd3+ ions on Fe3+ ion basis sites. The saturation magnetization Ms revealed magnetic behavior with respect to Nd3+ doping concentration, showing a decrease. The coercivity Hc increased with increasing Nd3+ doping concentration.
Influence of Parallel Evolving Microstructure on Thermal Diffusivity in Strontium Titanate
Authors: Ibrahim Idza Riati , Hashim Mansor , Wahab Zaidan Abdul , Matori Khamirul Amin , Nazlan Rodziah , Ismail Ismayadi , Abdullah Nor Hapishah , Wan Ab Rahman Wan Norailiana , Mohd Idris Fadzidah
Published: March 2016

This paper reports some research findings on the parallel evolutions of microstructural properties and thermal diffusivity in strontium titanate. Strontium titanate samples have been prepared via the high energy ball milling technique and subsequently moulded by a hydraulic pressing and followed by cold isostatic pressing. Nanometer-sized compacted powder samples were sintered from 500 to 1400°C using 100°C increments. Strontium titanate formation was observed at as early as 500°C sintering temperature alongside secondary phases. The full formation of strontium titanate was observed at 800°C sintering temperature and above. Average grain sizes showed a fluctuating trend with increased sintering temperatures due to carbonate decomposition at lower sintering temperatures (500 to 800°C) and grain growth phenomenon at higher sintering temperatures (900 to 1400°C). Parallel characterization of evolving thermal diffusivity showed the same trend of fluctuation at low sintering temperatures as indirect relationship but increased with increased grain size due to a lesser amount of phonon scattering. However, thermal diffusivity values decreased with increased temperatures because of increased phonon-phonon scattering.
Plasticized and Nanofilled Poly(Lactic Acid) Nanocomposites: Mechanical, Thermal and Morphology Properties
Authors: Chieng Buong Woei , Azowa Ibrahim Nor , Then Yoon Yee , Loo Yuet Ying
Published: March 2016

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based nanocomposites filled with graphene nanoplatelets (xGnP) and containing epoxidized palm oil (EPO) as plasticizer were prepared by melt blending method. PLA was first plasticized by EPO to improve its flexibility and thereby overcome its problem of brittleness. Then, xGnP was incoporated into plasticized PLA to enhance its mechanical properteis. Plasticized and naonofilled PLA nanocomposites (PLA/EPO/xGnP) showed improvement in the elongation at break by 61% compared with plasticized PLA (PLA/EPO). The use of EPO and xGnP increases the mobility of the polymeric chains, thereby improving the flexibility and plastic deformation of PLA. The nanocomposites also resulted in an increase of up to 26.5% in the tensile strength compared with PLA/EPO blend. PLA/EPO reinforced with xGnP shows that increasing the xGnP content triggers a substantial increase in thermal stability. The TEM image of PLA/EPO/xGnP shows that the xGnP was uniformly dispersed in the PLA matrix and no obvious aggregation is observed.
Cellulose Microfibrils/Nanofibrils (CMNF) Produced from Banana (Musa acuminata) Pseudo-Stem Wastes: Isolation and Characterization
Authors: Azraaie Noriean , Zainul Abidin Nurul Aimi Mohd , Abdul Aziz Fauziah , Radiman Shahidan , Ismail Ariffin , Yunus Wan MD Zin Wan , Mohamad Nor Norazman , Sohaimi Risby Mohd , Sulaiman Ahmad Zaidi , Abdul Halim Norhana , Daruis Dian Darina Indah , Ahmad Nurazlin
Published: March 2016

Banana pseudostems waste is abundantly available as agro-waste and has been used in different applications. In this work, the isolation of CMNF from the pseudostems of banana plant were explored. The dried stems from the species Musa acuminata were first cleaned by soxhlet extraction, alkali treatment and bleaching. Segal method will be employed to analyze data from XRD to determine crystallinity of the CMNF. Morphology of the CMNF will be determined using FESEM. Characterizations of treated and untreated samples were compared. The comparison between those treated and untreated samples giving the information about crystallite size, crystallinity and surface morphology for each treatment.
Morphological, Structural and Optical Properties of Mg Doped ZnO Nanostructured Growth by Aqueous Solution Method
Authors: Mohamed Ruziana , Khusaimi Zuraida , Abdullah Nurul Afaah , Aziz Aadila , Mamat Mohamad Hafiz , Rusop Mohamad
Published: March 2016

Mg doped Zinc oxide nanorods films were successfully deposited on glass substrate prepared by aqueous solution-immersion method. The influence of annealing temperature on the nanorod films were studied at different annealing temperatures 0°C, 250°C and 500°C respectively. FESEM showed the morphology of the films with hexagonal nanorods growth. XRD results indicated the crystalline structure of ZnO doped Mg nanorods films where the peak intensity of ZnO was decreased as annealing temperature increases. Photoluminescence (PL) measurement at room temperature showed the increasing of intensity peak for visible spectra with increasing of annealing temperature.
Microwave Absorption Study of Polyaniline Nanocomposites with Different Dimension of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Koh Yen Nee , Mokhtar Nurrafiqah , Phang Sook Wai
Published: March 2016

Polyaniline (PAni) Nanocomposites Containinganiline (Ani) Monomer and Hexanoic Acid (HA) Dopant were Successfullysynthesized by Using Chemical Oxidation Method. Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)and Different Dimension of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWNT) Have been Added Inorder to Improve the Dielectric Permeability and Magnetic Permittivityproperties of the Pani Nanocomposites. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Andultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectra Confirmed the Chemical Structure of Paninanocomposites. Conductivity and Magnetization Behavior were Investigated Byresistivity Meter and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). Microwave Absorptionstudies were Carried out by Microwave Vector Network Analyzer (MVNA) from 0.5to 18 Ghz. among all the Pani Nanocomposites, Pani Nanocomposites with MWNT (D = 10-2- Nm, l = 5-15 μm) Shows Agood Reflection Loss (RL = -58 Db) at 7 Ghz with a Sharp and Narrow Peak due Tohigher Values of Magnetization (0.074 Emu/g) Andmoderate Electrical Conductivity (1.11 x 10-2 S/cm)
Ultra-Sensitive Breath Sensor Device for Sleep Disorder Monitoring and Clinical Studying
Authors: Noriah Yusoff , Saad Nor Hayati , Nabipoor Mohsen , Sulaiman Suraya
Published: March 2016

Sleep disorder study by means of polysomnography (PSG) is the most well adopted and reliable procedure in medical practice. The present-day sleep monitoring devices for the PSG procedure is equipped with relatively expensive apparatus and technically complex modus operandi. Thus the PSG procedure must be conducted by well trained personnel. This study is about development of an ultra-sensitive breath sensor for medical procedures. The miniature size breath sensor design gives an added advantage on the final design of the sleep monitoring device for sleep disorder study or personal therapy. This solid state breath sensor is structured with micro tungsten inter-digitated electrode (IDE) platform that covered with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as sensing material. The MWCNT is grown on a thin oxide layer on top of the tungsten IDE using plasma enhance chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique. These MWCNT structures are capable of sensing and capturing breathing behavior thus a quick response capacitive sensor is developed. Typical photolithography and sputtering processes are involved in the sensor structure fabrication. A customized test jig imitating a human like breathing pulse was fabricated to test the sensor’s performance in relation to sensitivity and response time. Human subjects are used as well to further confirm the breath sensor performance. The research study shows this newly developed breath sensor device is highly sensitive and shows remarkably fast response; within sub-second.
Ti Doped LiMn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3O2 for Li-Ion Battery Application
Authors: Elong Kelimah , Kamarulzaman Norlida , Roshidah Rusdi
Published: March 2016

Single phase LiMn0.3Co0.3Ni0.3Ti0.1O2 materials are prepared using a self-propagating combustion method. The structure and morphology of the materials were characterized using X-Ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The electrochemical performances of the materials were characterized by means of galvanostatic charge-discharge test on the fabricated cells. XRD results showed that the materials are impurity-free and single phase with well ordered hexaganol structure of Rm space group. The compound was annealed at 700 °C and 800 °C for 24 h. The discharge capacities obtained was 143 mAhg-1 in the first cycle for both materials. The voltage range was between 2.5 to 4.2 V. The 30th cycle, however, revealed that the material annealed at 700 °C shows the better performance. The capacity fading is only about 14% compared to 17% for the 800 °C sample. This implies that LiMn0.3Co0.3Ni0.3Ti0.1O2 material is sensitive to annealing temperature. They exhibited good specific capacity values and looked promising for Li-ion battery application.
Conductivity and FTIR Studies of NaI-Na3PO4-PLL Electrolyte for Solid State Batteries
Authors: Hassan N. , Ahmad Azizah Hanom
Published: March 2016

The current solid electrolytes suffer from low ionic conductivity and interfacial instability. To improve the performance of the electrolyte, the addition of additives to the solid electrolyte is being extensively investigated. A Na–ion conducting solid electrolyte system was prepared via solid state reaction technique. NaI and Na3PO4 were mixed in varied compositions and the optimum composition obtained with the highest conductivity at room temperature was used to study the effect of polymer additive by using Poly (L–Leucine)–1,3–diamino propane. A small amount of Poly (L–Leucine)–1,3–diamino propane in the range of 2–10 weight percent was added to the optimum composition of the binary compound with a composition of 0.5 NaI and 0.5 Na3PO4. The effect of Poly (L–Leucine)–1,3–diamino propane on the electrical conductivity of the binary compound was investigated by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) technique. Results from EIS have proven this compound to be superionic with maximum conductivity in the range of 10−3 S cm–1. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the band of C=O at 1650 cm–1 experienced shifting indicates some interaction has occurred. The ionic transference number was found to be ≈ 1 for the optimum composition with maximum conductivity which suggests that the sample is ionic in nature.
Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Studies of New Binary Li2CO3-LiI Solid Electrolyte
Authors: Omar M.K. , Ahmad Azizah Hanom
Published: March 2016

Low ionic conductivity and easily attacked by air are among the common issues of lithium salts in lithium based solid electrolytes. Toward this end, our efforts have been focused on the development of a new lithium based electrolyte system which exhibits a good stability against atmosphere and posses high electrical conductivity. Normally, lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) alone shows a low electrical conductivity (2×10-5 Scm-1). However, the corporation of lithium iodide (LiI) has made a significant impact on the electrical conductivity of the system (4.63×10-3 Scm-1). The xLi2CO3-yLiI (x = 95-70, y = 5-30 wt.%) solid electrolyte were prepared by mechanical milling technique. The electrical and structural properties of the electrolyte systems were characterized by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) respectively. The highest electrical conductivity (4.6×10-3 Scm-1) of the electrolyte system was obtained from the sample containing 20 wt.% of lithium iodide (LiI). The carbonate groups play a role to provide sites for the interaction between interconnected pathways and lithium ions for the fast lithium ion migration.
Electrochemical Characterization of Supercapacitor Electrodes Prepared by Activation of Green Monoliths Consist of Self-Adhesive Carbon Grains and Lignin
Authors: Zulkifli Roslinda , Deraman Mohamad , Daik Rusli , Ishak Maria Muhammad , Nor Najah Syahirah Mohd , Jasni Mohamad Redwani Mohd , Soltaninejad Sepideh , Suleman Mohd
Published: March 2016

Self-adhesive carbon grains (SACG) and lignin were prepared from fibres of oil palm empty fruit bunches by a low carbonization temperature and chemical treatment methods, respectively. Green monoliths were prepared from the KOH-treated SACG mixed with the organosolv-treated lignin with their weight percentages of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively. The green monoliths were carbonized and activated into highly porous activated carbon monoliths (ACMs) electrodes for supercapacitor applications. The electrochemical characterization using galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) technique was carried out on the supercapacitor cell fabricated using these electrodes. The results show that the addition of 5 wt.% lignin was optimum, corresponding to the higher values of the specific capacitance (137 Fg-1), specific energy (4.13 Wh kg-1), specific power (192 W Kg-1), and a satisfactory value of equivalent series resistance (0.467 Ω) of the supercapacitor.
Thickness Dependent on Energy Band Gap and Electrical Conductivity of Undoped Conjugated Polymer Thin Films
Authors: Alias@Yusof Hamizah Nadia , Salleh Hasiah , Mohamad Isa Mohd Ikmar Nizam
Published: March 2016

Conjugated polymers have been widely used for electronic purpose applications due to their numerous advantages. This has led many researches to pay their major attention in studying on characteristics of conjugated polymer thin films. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of undoped conjugated polymer thin films on their optical and electrical properties. Poly(3-thiophene acetic acid), Polypyrrole and Polythiophene thin film was fabricated on ITO glass substrate by using EIS. Film thickness, energy band gap and electrical conductivity of thin films were characterized by using profilometer, ultraviolet-visible spectrometer and four point probe method respectively. The thickness of each thin film varied between 50.534 nm to 97.03 nm. The result has shown that thicker film has lower energy band gap compared to the thinner one. However the electrical conductivity showed an opposite behavior.
Effect of Annealing Temperatures in Oxygen on the Structure and Magnetic Properties of Yttrium Iron Garnet (Y3Fe5O12) Films Prepared by a Sol-Gel Method Followed by a Spin Coating Technique
Authors: Ibrahim Noor Baayah , Aldbea Ftema W. , Arsad Akmal Zaini , Rodee Noorhasniyah Md
Published: March 2016

Yttrium iron garnet (Y3Fe5O12) films were prepared by a sol-gel method followed by an annealing process at 500,600,700,800, and 900°C in oxygen atmosphere for 2 hours. The microstructure characterization carried out by an X-ray diffractometer showed that the film started to crystalline into YIG phase at 700°C. The average grain size of the films measured using a field emission scanning electron microscope gave the average value of 20 to 70 nm. The magnetic properties measured by a vibrating sample magnetometer showed that all of the films were soft magnetic materials. The saturation magnetization values increased with the increment of annealing temperature. However, the coercivity values were independence with temperatures.Keywords:Thinfilms;Crystalline;Sol-gelmethod;
Influence of Deposition Time on Bonding and Morphology of Amorphous Carbon Nitride Thin Films
Authors: Awang Rozidawati , Azman Nurul Izzati , Purhanudin Noorain
Published: March 2016

Amorphous carbon nitride (a-CNx) is a well-known material that can be used in various applications such as coating for hard disk, wear resistant, humidity sensor and others. In this research, a-CNx thin films have been deposited by using radio frequency-plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF-PECVD) with the mixing of pure methane (CH4) and nitrogen (N2). The gas ratio of CH4/N2, electrode distance, pressure and temperature of deposition is kept constant while deposition time is allowed to vary from 30 to 150 minutes. Raman spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) have been used to study the bonding and morphology of these films respectively. An increase in deposition time resulted with thedecrease in sp2 content in the a-CNx thin films. Theincrease in the Id/Ig intensity ratio with the increase in deposition time can be explained by the reducing size of graphitic cluster. Long deposition time retarded the growth rate of a-CNx thin films due to etching effects. Longer exposure to the etching effect resultingin the creation of small graphitic cluster with the formation of spongy-like porous features.
Photocatalyst Composites of Luminescent Trinuclear Copper(I) Pyrazolate Complexes/Titanium Oxide for Degradation of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid
Authors: Lintang Hendrik O. , Roslan Nur Azmina , Ramlan Noratika , Shamsuddin Mustaffa , Yuliati Leny
Published: March 2016

Here phosphorescent trinuclear copper (I) pyrazolate complexes ([Cu3Pz3]), synthesized from 3,5-dimethyl and 4-(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-3,5-dimethyl pyrazole ligands for complexes [Cu3Pz3]1 and [Cu3Pz3]2, were successfully impregnated into TiO2 with concentration of 0.1 mol%. These luminescent photocatalyst composites ([Cu3Pz3]1or 2/TiO2) gave 60% and 49% of dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) degradation after 1 h for [Cu3Pz3]1/TiO2 and [Cu3Pz3]2/TiO2, while TiO2 only showed 48%. The higher activity observed on [Cu3Pz3]1/TiO2 than the TiO2 would come from the efficient reduction of electron-hole recombination, while less dispersion of complex [Cu3Pz3]2 with more rigid structure compared to complex [Cu3Pz3]1 gave similar activity of the [Cu3Pz3]2/TiO2 to the TiO2.
Copper(II) Porphyrin as Biomimetic Catalyst for Oxidation of Trimethylphenol
Authors: Roslan Nurliana , Endud Salasiah , Ramli Zainab , Lintang Hendrik O.
Published: March 2016

Synthetic metalloporphyrins have long been recognized either as functional models or mimics of the cytochrome P-450 enzymes and they are versatile compounds with potential use in drug delivery, catalysis and electronics. In the present study, the metalloporphyrin, (meso-tetra-(p-sulfonatophenyl)-porphyrinato)copper, CuTSPP was synthesized in the reaction between free-base porphyrin, meso-tetra (p-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin, H2TSPP and copper(II) acetate monohydrate. The materials were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy, Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) Spectroscopyand Mass Spectrometry (MS) analysis. The FTIR spectra of both free-base porphyrin and CuTSPP showed the appearance of three pronounced bands indicating the presence of the salt form (R-SO3Na) of the sulfonic acid group. Characterization of CuTSPP by UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed that the insertion of copper into the free-base porphyrin was successful by the appearance of the Soret band and Q bands. The catalytic activity of CuTSPP was tested in the oxidation of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol (TMP) at 60 °C using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as oxidant. The reaction parameters including the reaction temperature and time have been optimized. The only product obtained by means of TMP oxidation with H2O2 using CuTSSP is 2,3,5-trimethylbenzoquinone (TMBQ), an important precursor for the industrial production of Vitamin E.
Effects of H2 and CO on Electrical Properties of Pure SnO2 and Pt-Doped SnO2 Ceramics
Authors: Mas'ut Aiza Masyati , Abdul Wahab Zaidan , Mat Yunus Wan Mahmood , Matori Khamirul Amin
Published: March 2016

Pure SnO2 and Pt doped SnO2 (0≤Pt≤10wt.%) ceramics have been successfully fabricated in the form of pellet by sintering at 1000 °C for 3 h. The resistance of the samples in air and in reducing gases (200 ppm H2 and 200 ppm CO) was determined by measuring current – voltage (I-V) characteristics via two-probe method between 150 to 450 °C. All samples show a decrease in resistance with an increase in temperature both in air and in gases. However, the values of resistance in gases are lower compared when the same samples were in air, due to gas molecules reactions with surface oxygen species which affect potential barrier to decrease and causes resistance to reduce. The resistance of the doped samples also increased by 279 - 1226% with an increase in Pt doping in SnO2, due to Pt surface states density.
Об унитальных полных амальгамированных свободных произведениях квазидиагональных $C^*$-алгебр
Authors: Qihui Li  , Don Hadwin  , Jiankui Li  , Xiujuan Ma  , Junhao Shen
Published: March 2016

В работе изучается вопрос о том, является ли унитальное полное амальгамированное свободное произведение квазидиагональных $C^*$-алгебр также квазидиагональным. Дается достаточное условие
для того, чтобы унитальное полное амальгамированное свободное произведение квазидиагональных $C^*$-алгебр с объединенной конечномерной $C^*$-алгеброй было квазидиагональным. Применяя
этот результат, мы заключаем, что унитальное полное амальгамированное свободное произведение двух AF-алгебр с объединенной конечномерной $C^*$-алгеброй есть AF-алгебра, если на каждой из этих AF-алгебр существует точное следовое состояние, причем ограничения этих состояний на общую подалгебру совпадают.
Об одном подходе к изучению нестандартных краевых задач
Authors: Gel'man Boris Danilovich
Published: March 2016

В настоящей работе предлагается новый подход к исследованию нестандартных краевых задач. В ней строятся включения с сюръективными операторами, эквивалентные этим задачам, и изучается разрешимость этих включений. Работа состоит из двух частей. В первой изучаются задачи, у которых правая часть уравнения является липшицевым отображением (§3), во второй части (§4) это отображение является вполне непрерывным относительно сюръективного оператора $A$. В статье также содержатся примеры применения доказанных теорем к изучению нестандартных краевых задач.
Assimilating compact phase space retrievals of atmospheric composition with WRF-Chem/DART: a regional chemical transport/ensemble Kalman filter data assimilation system
Authors: Mizzi Arthur P. , Arellano Jr. Avelino F. , Edwards David P. , Anderson Jeffrey L. , Pfister Gabriele G.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. This paper introduces the Weather Research and Forecasting Model with chemistry/Data Assimilation Research Testbed (WRF-Chem/DART) chemical transport forecasting/data assimilation system together with the assimilation of compact phase space retrievals of satellite-derived atmospheric composition products. WRF-Chem is a state-of-the-art chemical transport model. DART is a flexible software environment for researching ensemble data assimilation with different assimilation and forecast model options. DART's primary assimilation tool is the ensemble adjustment Kalman filter. WRF-Chem/DART is applied to the assimilation of Terra/Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) carbon monoxide (CO) trace gas retrieval profiles. Those CO observations are first assimilated as quasi-optimal retrievals (QORs). Our results show that assimilation of the CO retrievals (i) reduced WRF-Chem's CO bias in retrieval and state space, and (ii) improved the CO forecast skill by reducing the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and increasing the Coefficient of Determination (R2). Those CO forecast improvements were significant at the 95 % level. Trace gas retrieval data sets contain (i) large amounts of data with limited information content per observation, (ii) error covariance cross-correlations, and (iii) contributions from the retrieval prior profile that should be removed before assimilation. Those characteristics present challenges to the assimilation of retrievals. This paper addresses those challenges by introducing the assimilation of compact phase space retrievals (CPSRs). CPSRs are obtained by preprocessing retrieval data sets with an algorithm that (i) compresses the retrieval data, (ii) diagonalizes the error covariance, and (iii) removes the retrieval prior profile contribution. Most modern ensemble assimilation algorithms can efficiently assimilate CPSRs. Our results show that assimilation of MOPITT CO CPSRs reduced the number of observations (and assimilation computation costs) by  ∼  35 %, while providing CO forecast improvements comparable to or better than with the assimilation of MOPITT CO QORs.
A Logic of Exile: Cultural Distance and the Plasticity of the Mind
Authors: Herlihy-Mera Jeffrey , Koneru Vamsi K.
Published: March 2016

Epochs have knowledge systems. Do exiles, too? Literary and aesthetic inquiries are often entangled with the perspective in which they are raised by scholars, a critical map that gives singular weight to how ideas are contextualized. What should be the critical lens for cultural displacement? How should critics examine authors and artists who are in exile, a state of expatriation or emigration, or somewhere in between? Is exile a condition, like other states of being, that produces behaviors that can be measured, linked, and unpacked as a base of cultural study? Are the creative tools that map the imagination (like use of language, stylistic tendencies, and specific thematic devices) of writers and artists shaped by cultural displacement? How does nonnative cultural immersion influence the mind—and, thusly, how the mind codifies experience and reflections into physical representations? In relation to these questions, this article contemplates how exile shapes art, writing, and human experiences.
Embalmed in the Camera's Glowing Formaldehyde: On John Yau's Hollywood Asians
Authors: Schelb Edward N.
Published: March 2016

The poetry of John Yau has examined identity and exile through complex portraits of pop culture icons. His portraits of Peter Lorre as Mr. Moto draw upon postmodern techniques from the visual arts, particularly the aesthetic strategies of Jasper Johns, and his poetic experiments embody the thematics of interior exile and displacement in dense surrealist texts. His dominant strategy is to undermine representation in ways similar to both philosophies of deconstruction and postmodern aesthetics, but without losing sight of the cultural politics of ethnicity.
Rechtsbescherming onder de Omgevingswet: op een gelijkwaardig niveau?
Authors: Nijman H. (Daniëlla)
Published: March 2016

Rechtsbescherming onder de Omgevingswet: op een gelijkwaardig niveau?

Een van de ontwerpprincipes van de Omgevingswet is dat de rechtsbescherming op een gelijkwaardig niveau blijft. In dit artikel wordt toegelicht hoe de rechtsbescherming voor de verschillende instrumenten is geregeld in de Omgevingswet en wat er verandert ten opzichte van de huidige situatie. De vraag is daarbij niet alleen of de mogelijkheden tot rechtsbescherming gelijkwaardig zijn, maar ook of die mogelijkheden gelijkwaardig zijn voor de diverse spelers binnen het omgevingsrecht. Daarbij zijn in ieder geval het bestuursorgaan, de initiatiefnemer (aanvrager) en de derde-belanghebbende te onderscheiden.
Kanttekeningen bij de Utrechtse kantorenaanpak
Authors: Groothuijse F.A.G. (Frank) , Korsse D. (Daan)
Published: March 2016

Kanttekeningen bij de Utrechtse kantorenaanpak

In deze bijdrage plaatsen de auteurs enige kritische kanttekeningen bij de Utrechtse kantorenaanpak, zoals besproken door Henk de Vries in TO 2015, afl. 3 p. 113-132
Build me—if you can
Authors: Poling Lisa
Published: March 2016

In this month's problem scenario, students engage in productive struggle to explore the part-whole fraction relationship by building triangles represented with pattern blocks. Each month, elementary school teachers receive a problem along with suggested instructional notes. Teachers are asked to use the problem in their own classrooms and report solutions, strategies, reflections, and misconceptions to the journal audience.
Opening the World of Mathematics: The Daily Math Discussion
Authors: Donoahue Zoe
Published: March 2016

Observe how first graders can learn to routinely theorize and explain their thinking about odd and even numbers, factors, multiplication, and skip counting.
De la possibilité d’être compris directement par les tribunaux canadiens, à l’oral comme à l’écrit, sans l’entremise de services d’interprétation ou de traduction
Authors: Power Mark , Roy Marc-André
Published: March 2016

Le présent article vise à explorer la question de l’existence d’un droit constitutionnel du justiciable d’être compris dans l’une ou l’autre des langues officielles par les juges de la Cour suprême du Canada, sans l’entremise de services d’interprétation ou de traduction. La question ayant déjà reçu une réponse négative de la part de la Cour suprême du Canada en 1986 en ce qui concerne les tribunaux néo-brunswickois dans l’affaire Société des Acadiens c Association of Parents, le présent article tente plus précisément de trouver les bases sur lesquelles les tribunaux pourraient s’appuyer s’ils devaient rejeter ce précédent établi par la Cour suprême du Canada et reconnaître, devant cette Cour spécifiquement, le droit d’être compris directement dans l’une ou l’autre des langues officielles, sans services d’interprétation ou de traduction.
Star Trek : paradigme juridique et laboratoire du droit
Authors: Defferrard Fabrice
Published: March 2016

Star Trek est un univers de science-fiction paradigmatique pour le droit. Il repose pour l’essentiel sur une architecture juridique et judiciaire complexe, inspirée d’un modèle universaliste mettant en valeur les libertés publiques, les droits fondamentaux et une justice équitable. Chargés d’explorer pacifiquement l’espace, les officiers de Starfleet nouent des liens de droit et résolvent des conflits de normes dans des situations parfois inédites qui font de cette divertissante saga un véritable laboratoire du droit.
The Rqc2/Tae2 subunit of the ribosome-associated quality control (RQC) complex marks ribosome-stalled nascent polypeptide chains for aggregation
Authors: Yonashiro Ryo , Tahara Erich B , Bengtson Mario H , Khokhrina Maria , Lorenz Holger , Chen Kai-Chun , Kigoshi-Tansho Yu , Savas Jeffrey N , Yates John R , Kay Steve A , Craig Elizabeth A , Mogk Axel , Bukau Bernd , Joazeiro Claudio AP
Published: March 2016

Ribosome stalling during translation can potentially be harmful, and is surveyed by a conserved quality control pathway that targets the associated mRNA and nascent polypeptide chain (NC). In this pathway, the ribosome-associated quality control (RQC) complex promotes the ubiquitylation and degradation of NCs remaining stalled in the 60S subunit. NC stalling is recognized by the Rqc2/Tae2 RQC subunit, which also stabilizes binding of the E3 ligase, Listerin/Ltn1. Additionally, Rqc2 modifies stalled NCs with a carboxy-terminal, Ala- and Thr-containing extension—the 'CAT tail'. However, the function of CAT tails and fate of CAT tail-modified ('CATylated') NCs has remained unknown. Here we show that CATylation mediates formation of detergent-insoluble NC aggregates. CATylation and aggregation of NCs could be observed either by inactivating Ltn1 or by analyzing NCs with limited ubiquitylation potential, suggesting that inefficient targeting by Ltn1 favors the Rqc2-mediated reaction. These findings uncover a translational stalling-dependent protein aggregation mechanism, and provide evidence that proteins can become specifically marked for aggregation.