Farahwahida Mohd Yusof

Bio: Farahwahida Mohd Yusof is an academic researcher from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Islam & Chemometrics. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 39 publications receiving 186 citations.

The use of FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics for rapid authentication of extra virgin olive oil

Abstract: The authenticity of high value edible fats and oils including extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is an emerging issue, currently. The potential employment of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in combination with chemometrics of multivariate calibration and discriminant analysis has been exploited for rapid authentication of EVOO from canola oil (Ca-O). The optimization of two calibration models of partial least square (PLS) and principle component regression was performed in order to quantify the level of Ca-O in EVOO. The chemometrics of discriminant analysis (DA) was used for making the classification between pure EVOO and EVOO adulterated with Ca-O. The individual oils and their blends were scanned on good contact with ZnSe crystals in horizontal attenuated total reflectance, as a sampling technique. The wavenumbers of 3,028–2,985 and 1,200–987 cm−1 were used for quantification and classification of EVOO adulterated with Ca-O. The results showed that PLS with normal FTIR spectra was well suited for quantitative analysis of Ca-O with a value of the coefficient of determination (R2) > 0.99. The error, expressed as root mean square error of calibration obtained was relatively low, i.e. 0.108 % (v/v). DA can make the classification between pure EVOO and that adulterated with Ca-O with one misclassified reported.

The Influence of Information System Success and Technology Acceptance Model on Social Media Factors in Education

Abstract: The current study explores the students’ behavioral intention to use social media and actual social media use in higher education, specifically the perception of their academic performance and satisfaction. The study is theoretically based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) with evaluation information system success models (ISSM). Theoretically, five independent constructs were identified as contributory to behavioral intention to use social media, and actual social media use towards the students’ satisfaction and performance impact was analyzed. A questionnaire survey based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and information system success model (ISSM) was utilized as the key method for collecting data and disseminated to 1200 students from four public universities of Malaysia chosen through a random sampling technique. For data analysis, the SPSS and structural equation modeling (SEM-Amos) were used. Outcomes obtained from the students’ behavioral intention to use and actual social media usage indicates a positive and constructive influence on satisfaction and academic performance in higher education. In addition, both male and female students were satisfied with perceived usefulness (β = 0.095, t-value = 3.325, p < 0.001 and β = −0.045, t-value = −2.079, p < 0.001, respectively), perceived ease of use (β = 0.108, t-value = 3.29, p < 0.001 and β = 0.307, t-value = 12.365, p < 0.001, respectively), perceived technology fit (β = 0.14, t-value = 4.769, p < 0.001 and β = 0.277, t-value = 12.358, p < 0.001, respectively), information quality (β = 0.108, t-value = 3.825, p < 0.001 and β = 0.109, t-value = 5.087, p < 0.001, respectively), and system quality (β = 0.232, t-value = 7.573, p < 0.001 and β = 0.176, t-value = 7.429, p < 0.001, respectively). Therefore, we encourage students to use social media for educational purposes and encourage more interactions with peers at higher education institutions. The study’s empirical findings present strong support for the integrative association between the TAM and the ISSM in using online learning platforms to improve students’ academic achievements and satisfaction. This could help decision makers in universities, higher education institutions, and colleges to plan, evaluate, and implement online learning platforms in their institutions.

Comprehensive Review on Application of FTIR Spectroscopy Coupled with Chemometrics for Authentication Analysis of Fats and Oils in the Food Products.

Abstract: Currently, the authentication analysis of edible fats and oils is an emerging issue not only by producers but also by food industries, regulators, and consumers. The adulteration of high quality and expensive edible fats and oils as well as food products containing fats and oils with lower ones are typically motivated by economic reasons. Some analytical methods have been used for authentication analysis of food products, but some of them are complex in sampling preparation and involving sophisticated instruments. Therefore, simple and reliable methods are proposed and developed for these authentication purposes. This review highlighted the comprehensive reports on the application of infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics for authentication of fats and oils. New findings of this review included (1) FTIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics, which has been used to authenticate fats and oils; (2) due to as fingerprint analytical tools, FTIR spectra have emerged as the most reported analytical techniques applied for authentication analysis of fats and oils; (3) the use of chemometrics as analytical data treatment is a must to extract the information from FTIR spectra to be understandable data. Next, the combination of FTIR spectroscopy with chemometrics must be proposed, developed, and standardized for authentication and assuring the quality of fats and oils.

The use of FTIR spectroscopy in combination with chemometrics for the authentication of red fruit (Pandanus conoideus Lam) oil from sunflower and palm oils

Abstract: In this study, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in combination with multivariate calibration based on partial least squares (PLS) has been developed for quantitative analysis of sunflower oil (SFO) and palm oil (PO) as oil adulterants in red fruit oil (RFO) for the authentication study. The binary mixtures of SFO and PO in RFO were infrared spectroscopically scanned using horizontal attenuated total reflectance at mid infrared region (4000–650 cm −1 ). Some frequency regions where the variations were observed among RFO, SFO, and PO were optimized in order to seek the best frequency regions giving the best PLS calibration models. Besides, the derivatization of FTIR spectra (fisrt and second derivatives) was also investigated in order to look the types of FTIR spectra giving the best spectral performance in the model. The results showed that SFO was better determined using FTIR normal spectra at the frequency region of 1200–1000 cm −1 with coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) of >0.99 and with root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) of 1.42% v/v. FTIR normal spectra were also more preferred than its derivative for the quantification of PO in RFO. The R 2 value obtained for the relationship between actual value (reference value) and predicted value obtained during PLS modeling is very high (0.9991) with the low level of error (RMSEC of 0.98% v/v). It can be concluded that FTIR in combination with PLS is a reliable method for quantitative analysis of SFO and PO as adulterant in RFO for authenticity verification.

Development of 3D Tawaf simulation for hajj training application using virtual environment

Abstract: 3D application has become very popular among people due to its capability to imitate real world environment and its interactivity to entertain users. This paper proposed an interactive training method for Hajj education in Malaysia by providing user a scene of Tawaf (one of Hajj pilgrimage rituals). Participants are provided with a flexible user control which is connected wirelessly to the system. The Tawaf simulation is created based on crowd technology and in this case we use a new method to control the movements of human character around Kaaba. Based on the user testing feedbacks, users are thrilled with the system, particularly because it is user-friendly and flexible.

Experimental And Quasi Experimental Designs For Research

Abstract: Thank you for reading experimental and quasi experimental designs for research. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have search numerous times for their favorite readings like this experimental and quasi experimental designs for research, but end up in malicious downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they cope with some infectious virus inside their laptop.

E-Moderating: The Key to Teaching and Learning Online

Abstract: E-Moderators are \"the new generation of teachers and trainers who work with learners online\" (p. viii) using Computer-Mediated Conferencing (CMC) as a learning tool, regardless of the subject they are teaching. They are the focus of E-Moderating, a recent book which provides both a theoretical framework for developing online learning using CMC (part one), and a wealth of practical advice (part two). The book is supported by a Web site. The author, Gilly Salmon, a distance education specialist with the Open University Business School in the UK, provides a five-step model of effective online education, along with copious examples of how the model relates to real-life online learning contexts. Salmon proposes that, by basing learning on a constructivist model, it is e-moderators that can make the difference in online education as they convene, direct, summarize, and archive synchronous and asynchronous discussions.

" Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research on teaching ", de Donald T. Campbell & Julian C. Stanley, (1963).

Abstract: Il est de nombreuses problematiques qui ne peuvent pas etre explorees au moyen des methodes recommandees par Ronald Fischer en raison de leur nature ou des circonstances du terrain. Ceci n'est pas pour autant suffisant pour abandonner toute rigueur scientifique. C'est pourquoi dans un esprit fisherien, de nombreuses reflexions ont ete entreprises dans des domaines varies. Un des terrains les plus feconds a ete celui de la recherche dans le domaine de l'education comme l'illustre le dernier texte traduit dans cette partie qui est extrait d'un des chapitres d'un ouvrage sur ce sujet [11]. Ses auteurs, Julian C. Stanley (1918-2005) et Donald T. Campbell (1916-1996), sont des figures marquantes des sciences sociales americaines de la deuxieme moitie du xxe siecle. A la fin des annees 1960, Stanley a realise plusieurs recherches concernant les differences de performances scolaires selon le genre ou la race, recherches conduites sans craindre le reductionnisme ou le determinisme genetique de l'intelligence, ce qui lui a valu de faire l'objet d'assez vives critiques. Donald Campbell, lui, a ete forme initialement comme psychologue, mais fut connu d'abord en vertu de ses travaux methodologiques, mais aussi pour sa conception evolutionniste de l'epistemologie, de l'ethique et de l'anthropologie, et son positionnement fort en terme d'ethique academique, mefiante vis-a-vis des disciplines et favorisant l'heterodoxie theorique, la dissidence et le sens critique. Leur notoriete est probablement due au chapitre traduit ici qui a ete de nombreuses fois reedite (300 000 copies) et qui fait partie des textes parmi les plus cites dans le domaine des sciences sociales (plusieurs milliers de citations). Ce texte, fruit d'une collaboration relativement breve entre ces deux auteurs, est a replacer dans le mouvement reformateur qui, a la sortie de la seconde guerre mondiale, imposait aux programmes d'assistance sociale et aux politiques publiques l'utilisation de methodes leur permettant d'evaluer leur efficacite. On trouve trace a la fois d'une approche behavioriste parfois reductionniste et de cette ethique de l'impersonnalite, defendant la valeur morale d'une evaluation independante ecartant tout arbitraire. Ces methodologies vont se generaliser et ensuite se raffiner et le texte traduit ici represente un premier jalon dans la mise en place des methodes rationnelles d'evaluation qui ont aujourd'hui pris une place quasi-hegemonique dans les sciences humaines et sociales. Sont particulierement notables, outres les reflexions d'epistemologie sur la methode experimentale et l'induction, la conceptualisation des notions de biais et des notions correlatives de validite interne et externe. Dans ce texte apparait egalement l'idee selon laquelle la plus ou moins grande susceptibilite aux differentes sources de biais est une des caracteristiques des plans experimentaux et que par consequent la credibilite d'un resultat depend de la methodologie selon laquelle il a ete produit. Cette idee selon laquelle il y a des 'niveaux de preuve' deviendra structurante pour la pedagogie et l'analyse critique des resultats des differentes experiences menees notamment en medecine dans le cadre de la medecine appuyee sur des preuves (EBM).

Modern analytical methods for the detection of food fraud and adulteration by food category

Abstract: This review provides current information on the analytical methods used to identify food adulteration in the six most adulterated food categories: animal origin and seafood, oils and fats, beverages, spices and sweet foods (e.g. honey), grain-based food, and others (organic food and dietary supplements). The analytical techniques (both conventional and emerging) used to identify adulteration in these six food categories involve sensory, physicochemical, DNA-based, chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, and have been combined with chemometrics, making these techniques more convenient and effective for the analysis of a broad variety of food products. Despite recent advances, the need remains for suitably sensitive and widely applicable methodologies that encompass all the various aspects of food adulteration. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Adulteration of Dietary Supplements by the Illegal Addition of Synthetic Drugs: A Review

Abstract: In the last few years, the consumption of dietary supplements, especially those having plants as ingredients, has been increasing due to the common idea that they are natural products posing no risks to human health. In the European Union and the United States, dietary supplements are legally considered as foods/special category of foods, thus are not being submitted to any safety assessment prior to their commercialization. Among the issues that can affect safety, adulteration by the illegal addition of pharmaceutical substances or their analogs is of major concern since unscrupulous producers can falsify these products to provide for quick effects and to increase sales. This review discusses the various classes of synthetic drugs most frequently described as being illegally added to dietary supplements marketed for weight loss, muscle building/sport performance and sexual performance enhancement. Information regarding regulation and consumption is also presented. Finally, several conventional and advanced analytical techniques used to detect and identify different adulterants in dietary supplements and therefore also in foods, with particular emphasis on plant food supplements, are critically described. This review demonstrates that dietary supplement adulteration is an emerging food safety problem and that an effective control by food regulatory authorities is needed to safeguard consumers.