Showing papers by "National Defence University, Pakistan published in 2016"

Potential of adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system for evaluating the factors affecting steel-concrete composite beam's shear strength

Abstract: Structural design of a composite beam is influenced by two main factors, strength and ductility. For the design to be effective for a composite beam, say an RC slab and a steel I beam, the shear strength of the composite beam and ductility have to carefully estimate with the help of displacements between the two members. In this investigation the shear strengths of steel-concrete composite beams was analyzed based on the respective variable parameters. The methodology used by ANFIS (Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System) has been adopted for this purpose. The detection of the predominant factors affecting the shear strength steel-concrete composite beam was achieved by use of ANFIS process for variable selection. The results show that concrete compression strength has the highest influence on the shear strength capacity of composite beam.

Antimicrobials: a global alliance for optimizing their rational use in intra-abdominal infections (AGORA)

Abstract: Intra-abdominal infections (IAI) are an important cause of morbidity and are frequently associated with poor prognosis, particularly in high-risk patients. The cornerstones in the management of complicated IAIs are timely effective source control with appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Empiric antimicrobial therapy is important in the management of intra-abdominal infections and must be broad enough to cover all likely organisms because inappropriate initial antimicrobial therapy is associated with poor patient outcomes and the development of bacterial resistance. The overuse of antimicrobials is widely accepted as a major driver of some emerging infections (such as C. difficile), the selection of resistant pathogens in individual patients, and for the continued development of antimicrobial resistance globally. The growing emergence of multi-drug resistant organisms and the limited development of new agents available to counteract them have caused an impending crisis with alarming implications, especially with regards to Gram-negative bacteria. An international task force from 79 different countries has joined this project by sharing a document on the rational use of antimicrobials for patients with IAIs. The project has been termed AGORA (Antimicrobials: A Global Alliance for Optimizing their Rational Use in Intra-Abdominal Infections). The authors hope that AGORA, involving many of the world's leading experts, can actively raise awareness in health workers and can improve prescribing behavior in treating IAIs.

Ergonomic Risk Assessment on Oil Palm Industry Workers

Abstract: Background: This study was an investigation conducted at two oil palm plantations in Slim River District, Perak, Malaysia on the prevalence of back pain among workers in the Malaysian oil palm industry. Many manual handling activities and tasks performed were not designed ergonomically, thus a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was found among oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) manual workers. The three main objectives of this study were to determine the level of employee awareness on health and safety of manual handling tasks; to recognize the musculoskeletal symptom on the workers body parts; and to analyze their working postures and identify the relevant risk factors. Methods: Modified Nordic questionnaire was used to collect data in 2012 at two oil palm plantations located in Slim River District, Perak, Malaysia. Later, Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) analysis was conducted for high risk working postures. Seventy workers participated in the study. Results: 81.4% of workers were aware on the correct methods to perform the manual handling tasks. The upper back and lower back pain were experienced by 87.1% and 94.3% of the workers respectively. Conclusion: Manual workers have high level (81.4%) health and safety awareness on manual handling tasks but failed to practice it. As a result, 87.1% of them are sufferring from lower back and 94.3% from upper back pain. FFBs loading activity into the lorry is a high risk and changes needed to be done immediately. The two major risk factors identified were awkward lifting postures and repetitive lifting of FFBs.

Performance of membrane filtration in the removal of iron and manganese from Malaysia's groundwater

Abstract: The aim of this research was to investigate the ability of nanofiltration (NF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes as a filtration unit for groundwater treatment for drinking water resources. Commercial membranes denoted as TS40, TFC-SR3 and GHSP were used to study the performance based on rejections and fluxes. The investigation has been conducted using natural groundwater obtained from a deep tube well with initial concentration of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) at 7.15 mg/L and 0.87 mg/L, respectively. Experimental results showed that NF membranes exhibited higher fluxes than UF membrane with pure water permeability at 4.68, 3.99 and , respectively. For metal rejection, these membranes have performed higher removal on Fe with TS40, TFC-SR3 and GHSP membranes having more than 82%, 92% and 86% respectively. Whereas, removal on Mn only achieved up to 60%, 80% and 30%, for TS40, TFC-SR3 and GHSP membranes respectively. In order to achieve drinking water standard, the membranes were efficient in removing Fe ion at 1 and 2 bar in contrast with Mn ion at 4 and 5 bar. Higher rejection of Fe and Mn were achieved when pH of feed solution was increased to more than 7 as TFC-SR3 membrane was negatively charged in basic solution. This effect could be attributed to the electrostatic effect interaction between membrane material and rejected ions. In conclusion, this study proved that NF membrane especially the TFC-SR3 membrane successfully treated local groundwater sources for public drinking water supply in line with the WHO standard.

Automatic Artificial Data Generator: Framework and implementation

Abstract: Extracting unknown and possibly useful information from a set of examples that has desired features is crucial and important for data analysis and interpretation. Normally, a public repository has become the most used method in attempting to find a suitable domain. However, relying on the available data in the public repository has several disadvantages. In this case, an automatic problem generation system would be valuable to provide several advantages over the traditional methods. This paper focuses more on data extraction and artificial data generation. Here, a framework is proposed that consists of four main phases: 1) Data extraction, 2) Data characterization, 3) Artificial data generation and 4) Artificial data creation. The approach systematically creates testing datasets based on real data that is extracted from a reliable sources. The system uses random permutation algorithm to generate a large number of artificial data that resembles real data.

The relationships between adult students’ achievement goal orientations, self-defined course goals, course evaluations, and performance

Abstract: In dieser Studie wurde der Zusammenhang zwischen den Zielorientierungen und den selbstberichteten kursspezifischen Zielen von 88 Studierenden der Finnish National Defense University untersucht. Daruber hinaus wurde deren Zusammenspiel zur Pradiktion der subjektiven Bewertung der Lernumgebung und der Leistung der Studierenden innerhalb des Kurses uberpruft. Auf Basis von Zielorientierungsprofilen wurden vier Gruppen von Studierenden identifiziert, die sich hinsichtlich nahezu aller Aspekte zur Bewertung der Lernumgebung unterschieden: Lernzielorientierte sowie leistungszielorientierte Studierende zeigten die positivsten Bewertungen im Vergleich zu den vermeidungsorientierten Studierenden. Geringere Unterschiede zeigten sich auch in den Prufungsergebnissen, wobei die Leistungszielorientierten die hochste Punktezahl erreichten. Die freien Antworten der Studierenden bezogen sich meist auf intrinsische Lernziele sowie Ziele, die sich auf den Erwerb von Qualifikationen fur die berufliche Karriere beziehen. Die Zielprofile wiesen nur einen schwachen Zusammenhang mit den freien Antworten auf: Vermeidungsorientierte Studierende berichteten intrinsische Lernziele seltener, wahrend Leistungszielorientierte intrinsische Lernziele marginal haufiger berichteten als rein zufallig zu erwarten ware. Intrinsische als auch extrinsische Ziele korrelierten mit hoheren Kursbewertungen, wohingegen Arbeitsvermeidungsziele mit niedrigeren Bewertungen einhergingen. Die Zusammenhange zwischen Motivation, Leistung und der subjektiven Bewertung von Lernen und Unterricht werden diskutiert.

Evaluation on ambulance design and musculoskeletal disorders risk factors among ambulance emergency medical service personnel.

Abstract: Background: Injuries or pains occurred at various body's joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons, limbs, back and neck are classified as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). A single forceful exertion or repeated exposure to force, vibration or awkward posture can result in MSDs. This study was carried out by evaluating the relevant physical measurements of Class B ambulance used in Malaysia. The two main objectives of the study are to evaluate on the ambulance physical dimensions and workstation design and to conduct a Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) to examine ambulance’s emergency medical service (EMS) workers’ activities and their associated MSDs risk factors. Methods: The two methodologies adopted for the study conducted in 2014 were direct measurement of the ambulance physical dimensions and workstation layout; and in-depth interviews of five EMS workers that provides patient care during transporting patient to a public hospital in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. REBA was conducted on seven commonly performed activities by EMS workers for identifying postural risks. Results: The study found ambulance width is too narrow and workstation layout may exposed EMS workers to MSDs risks. REBA scores for the seven commonly performed activities in the ambulance ranges from medium to very high. Conclusion: Seven important MSDs risk factors to be considered in the design of the Class B ambulance for performing patient care activities that may lead towards EMS workers’ injury are awkward posture, bumping, instability, narrow workspace dimension, inappropriate arrangement of storage cabinet, inappropriate arrangement of medical equipment, inadequate railing and seat, and inappropriate stretcher.

The Suwalki Gap : NATO's fragile hot spot

Abstract: The so called Suwalki Gap has been lately among important regional security related topics and it has been linked with its geostrategic location and geographical complexity of the terrain for conducting military operations. The threat toward Baltic states cause it to be discussed widely by civilian and military authorities, especially in the context of destabilising Ukraine and annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and possible assertive actions. The paper proposes an approach to the Suwalki Gap issue based on its geostrategic location and operational importance. It includes also its geographical characteristic connected with conducting military operations in that specific terrain. It furthers the discussion of tactical aspects of defensive and offensive operations there. The outcome of the NATO Warsaw Summit is also discussed in the context of Suwalki Gap as a land bridge linking Baltic states with the NATO allies.

Improvement of high velocity impact performance of carbon nanotube and lead reinforced magnesium alloy

Abstract: This paper presented the effect of strain rate changes due to Carbon Nanotube (CNT) and Lead addition in Magnesium Alloy, AZ31B on high velocity impact performance. This metal is normally used to fabricate armored vehicle panel. The changing strain will affect the strain rate and had been widely used in automotive applications to accommodate high velocity impact. High strain rate material was applied on the armored vehicle to withstand the impact of the projectile. AZ31B alloy was reinforced with CNT and Lead using Disintegrated Melt Deposition (DMD) method. AZ31B ingots were melted at a temperature of 660 oC and produced the reinforcement of CNT and Lead during the melting process. Mixed materials were completely inserted into the mold for further process. Microstructure analysis was performed to observe the variance structure of samples. The high velocity impact experiment was performed using a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar machine. The diameter of the sample was 18 mm with 12.5 mm thickness. The addition of materials such as CNT and Lead into AZ31B had increased the material strain rate. The effect of increasing the strain rate was in line with the increase of energy absorption. The result showed that the strain rate had increased about 30% from the original material, AZ31B and consequently also increased the energy absorption. Thus, the addition of CNT and Lead would increase the strain rate of the original material of magnesium alloy and hence increase the energy absorption capability during impact.

Study of quality of life and characteristic factors in women with breast cancer undergoing different types of therapy

Abstract: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and an increasingly important issue is to evaluate quality of life (QoL) among these patients. The objective of this study was to appreciate the QoL and associated factors among breast cancer women undergoing different types of therapy. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 166 breast cancer women from two specialized centres in Baghdad, Iraq, from February 2014 to December 2014. The questionnaire used in this study was “The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B)”. The majority were employee (60.3%), with high school education (63.2%), with no family history of cancer (79.5%). Majority were diagnosed with grade II (56.6%) and tumor size less than 2 cm in diameter (95.8%). The majority of women underwent mastectomy (98.2%), received chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and Tamoxifen therapy (89.8%, 29.5%, and 36.1%; respectively). The study found a significant difference between the quality of life among cancer patients and job, stage of cancer, size of tumor, and radiotherapy. Job, stage of cancer, size of tumor, and radiotherapy significantly influenced the women QoL. Therefore, more attention on these variables is highly recommended when dealing with breast cancer patients undergoing different types of therapy

First-principles study on structural, electronic and optical properties of TiO2 for dye-sensitized solar cells photoanode

Abstract: First-principles study based on density functional theory (DFT) framework for structural, electronic and optical properties of titanium dioxide (TiO2) in anatase and rutile phases are investigated. Anatase phase exhibits wide band gap compare to rutile phase. The partial and total density of states for TiO2 (anatase and rutile) describes the occupying of titanium (Ti) and oxygen (O) atoms at each energy level. TiO2 has a high dielectric constant to avoid the recombination process while its high refractive index provides the efficient of light diffusion. The optical absorption of TiO2 occurs in ultraviolet (UV) light of the wavelength photon. The results from the first-principles calculations will be helpful to give an understanding about the properties of TiO2 as promising photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC).

Historical Roots of the Deobandi Version of Jihadism and Its Implications for Violence in Today’s Pakistan

Abstract: In “Historical Roots of the Deobandi Version of Jihadism and Its Implications for Violence in Today’s Pakistan”, Arshi Saleem Hashmi argues that the Deobandi movement seems to have multiple objectives. The Deobandi ulema (clerics) moved closer to politics and created the JUH in 1919. However, even before that, in 1914, Maulana Mahmudul Hassan, chancellor at Darul Uloom Deoband, conceived a movement for the liberation of India by which armed units would be deputed to organize the Pakhtuns of the tribal areas and rally support in Afghanistan to provide a convenient point for the Turkish army to open up a new front against the British. The movement was rooted in the politics of pan-Islamism, but its founders highlighted the differences in their militaristic outlook and criticized the politics of the non-violent movement, which dominated the nationalist Indian arena at that time. Hashmi notes that one of the important and dominant pillars of the Deobandi school of thought is a sacred right and obligation to go to any lengths to wage jihad so as to protect Muslims anywhere in the world. She argues that after the creation of Pakistan, religiously motivated violent Deobandi groups openly declared and claimed militancy, and they established a reign of terror in the country against various sects within Islam and people of other faiths.

Russia’s Hybrid War in Theory and Practice

Abstract: Abstract The warfare is evolving and it is confirmed by last conflicts in which Russia was involved. They were asymmetric in nature and their objectives, developments, consequences in broader sense and end states have been a matter of research by many scholars. The nature of those conflicts is causing concerns and a question if there were randomly run or just perfectly synchronized operations? If so, should a hybrid war be considered a way of strategy and its objectives seen through the prism of the Russia’s interests? The answer to this question can be obtained after the evaluation of the theory and practice employed by the Russian Federation in the concept of hybrid war. This is the purpose of this article. The results of the research are presented by solving the following problem: What does the concept of the new generation warfare mean?

Vector Space Representations of Documents in Classifying Finnish Social Media Texts

Abstract: Computational analysis of linguistic data requires that texts are transformed into numeric representations. The aim of this research is to evaluate different methods for building vector representations of text documents from social media. The methods are compared in respect to their performance in a classification task. Namely, traditional count-based term frequency-inverse document frequency (TFIDF) is compared to the semantic distributed word embedding representations. Unlike previous research, we investigate document representations in the context of morphologically rich Finnish. Based on the results, we suggest a framework for building vector space representations of texts in social media, applicable to language technologies for morphologically rich languages. In the current study, lemmatization of tokens increased classification accuracy, while lexical filtering generally hindered performance. Finally, we report that distributed embeddings and TFIDF perform at comparable levels with our data.

The Poland-United States Security Relations in the light of Asymmetry Theory

Abstract: Asymmetry in inter-state relations occurs when one of the partners enjoys more freedom of action, resulting from a unique confluence of power factors, thus obtaining a dominant position. Still, in the process, the superior power incurs costs and risks ineffectiveness, thus having to precisely calculate its modus operandi, while the weaker state has at its disposal means to mitigate the consequences of existing power discrepancies. Asymmetry defines Polish-US relations, manifesting itself with full strength in the field of security and defense, given the discrepancies in the two countries’ potentials, different roles played in international relations and the position of the USA as the guarantor of Poland’s security. This article touches upon the effects and the dynamics of this situation, perceived as a process that is the result of certain adjustments rather than coercion. Included in it is the ability of influencing the politics of the stronger partner as well as the overvaluation of its results by the weaker side, along with the neglect of the weaker player’s interests by the dominating side. Managing this kind of relations demands maturity and loyalty on both sides. Also, necessary is the institutionalization of deconflicting the priorities of cooperation, using international law tools and consultation mechanisms offered by multilateral forums as well as negotiating mutual relations protecting from their dissolution. Not without importance are also societal sentiments, as well as respect towards all symbolism that underlines mutual relations. Key for Polish-American cooperation, in the field of security, is an understanding of the USA’s global perspective, in which Europe is only one of its dimensions.

Narratives of Russia’s “Information Wars”

Abstract: Abstract Information warfare became a topic of a heated discussion with the advancement of the Russian state on the territory of the neighbouring Ukraine. Already forgotten since the collapse of the Soviet Union discourse about the Cold War made a rapid comeback into the media and public discourse creating confusion among readers. Hence, this article aims to clarify the relevant terminology when it comes to the use of information operations in Russia as well as to point out the importance of mediated narratives. By relying on Russian military thought, the article sheds some light on the importance of narratives such as: Russia-West confrontation and hybrid wars, Russian history and identity, and Russian patriotism.

X-Ray Diffraction and Infrared Studies on Plasticized Cellulose Acetate Complexed with Ammonium Iodide for Solid Polymer Electrolyte

Abstract: Gel polymer electrolyte films based on cellulose acetate (CA) complexed with ammonium iodide (NH4I), and ethylene carbonate (EC) was prepared by the solution cast technique. The conductivity increases to 10-4 Scm-1 upon the addition of salt. The incorporation of EC and to the salted polymer enhances the conductivity significantly 10-3 Scm-1. The complexation of doping materials with polymer was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and infrared studies. The present of ethylene carbonate (EC) as plasticizer did not disturbed the complexation between polymer and salt that has been confirm by FTIR. XRD studies further confirmed that all sample prepared are crystalline. This result affirmed that there were no complexations occur between plasticizer in the CA-NH4I polymer system.

The Intra-Sunni Conflicts in Pakistan

Abstract: In “The Intra-Sunni Conflicts in Pakistan”, Zulqarnain Sewag notes that people from different religious, sectarian and cultural backgrounds have peacefully co-existed in the area called Pakistan today. Sufis were the forerunners of peace. However, as they weakened, their place was filled by religious extremists. Sewag notes that in the historical course of Islam, there have been two major divisions: the Sunnis and the Shias. However, with the emergence of Darul Uloom Deoband in 1867 and the Barelvi movement in 1904, the mild intra-Sunni differences escalated into intra-Sunni conflicts, especially after the Afghan Jihad of the 1980s, the 9/11 attacks, and incessant exportation of Wahhabi ideology and funding from the Middle East to the Deobandi and Ahl-e-Hadith (Salafi) groups. As a result, the Sunnis are at daggers drawn with each other, with the traditional Sufis or Barelvis usually on the receiving end. Sewag argues that if the intra-Sunni differences are not addressed, they might irreparably damage the pluralistic nature of Pakistani society.

The mediating effects of training motivation on assignment methods and transfer of training: The Malaysian context

Abstract: The objective of this study is to examine the mediating effects of training motivation in the relationship between assignment methods and transfer of training using data gathered from survey questionnaires on military intermediate level officers in Malaysia. The statistical tool SmartPLS was employed to test the research hypotheses. The result indicated that training motivation was found to be an important mediator in the hypothesized relationship in Malaysian context. The study is significant particularly for training administration department and organizational managers directly related to training. Further, this study provides discussion, implications and conclusion.

Study on the Reduction Behavior of Molybdenum Oxide (MoO3) in Carbon Monoxide (CO) Atmosphere

Abstract: The reduction behavior of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) by carbon monoxide (CO) has been studied using temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and was characterized using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD). The TPR result shows that the first reduction peak of MoO3 under 20 vol. % CO in nitrogen started at 530 °C and second reduction peaks observed was at 700 °C. The XRD technique was employed to identify the changes in the sample. It was found that after non-isothermal reduction up to 700 °C, the intermediate phases Mo4O11 were observed. Completed reduction to MoO2 achieved after continued reduction with isothermal mode at 700 °C for 60 minutes. Based on the XRD analysis, it is confirmed that the reduction of MoO3 to MoO2 in CO atmosphere consists of two reduction stages, i) Mo6+ → Mo5+ and ii) Mo5+ → Mo4+. While, CO excess have resulted the formation of molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) rather than formation of metallic molybdenum (Mo).

Cellulose microfibrils/nanofibrils (CMNF) produced from banana (Musa acuminata) pseudo-stem wastes: Isolation and characterization

Abstract: 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.

Structural, electronic and optical properties of Nd-doped anatase TiO2 for dye-sensitized solar cells from density functional theory

Abstract: The structural, electronic and optical properties of pure and neodymium (Nd) doped anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) are investigated via first-principles calculations within density functional theory (DFT) approach. The band gap reduces to ~0.398 eV when Ti4+ is substituted with Nd3+ in TiO2 crystal structure. The presence of Nd 4f states in the conduction band of TiO2 clarifies the reducing of the band gap. The dielectric constant and refractive index of Nd-doped TiO2 increase compare to pure TiO2. Nd-doped TiO2 able to enhance light absorption to longer wavelength spectrum. The first-principles results obtained satisfy the criteria for Nd-doped TiO2 to become feasible photoanode material in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) device.

Smoking is worth the risk: Understanding adolescents' rationalisation of their smoking behaviour

Abstract: Adolescents are aware of the health risks of cigarette smoking yet still they continue to smoke. This article reports on how Malaysian adolescents rationalised their smoking behaviour despite knowing its danger. In this qualitative study, 26 adolescents (23 smokers and 3 former smokers) were interviewed through 3 focus group interviews and 3 in-depth interviews. The interviews were guided by a semi-structured interview protocol and recorded using audio recorders. This study highlights that the adolescents continued to smoke despite knowing the risks of smoking. They rationalised their smoking by disengaging themselves from the risks through: (1) disregarding the immediate effects of smoking, (2) ignoring the risk information, (3) normalising the mortality risk of smoking, (4) emotionally detaching themselves from relating to the threat, (5) regarding smoking as the lesser evil than other risky behaviour, and (6) discounting the actual risks by citing the exceptional cases. In conclusion, the adolescents might have made a calculated decision after weighing the risks and benefits of smoking but they chose smoking over quitting. This study provides meaningful insights for clinicians and policy makers to understand adolescents’ reasoning for smoking, which then may result in the development of better strategies for challenging the rationalisations of adolescents.

Logico-linguistic Semantic Representation of Documents

Abstract: The knowledge behind the gigantic pool of data remains largely unextracted. Techniques such as ontology design, RDF representations, hpernym extraction, etc. have been used to represent the knowledge. However, the area of logic (FOPL) and linguistics (Semantics) has not been explored in depth for this purpose. Search engines suffer in extraction of specific answers to queries because of the absence of structured domain knowledge. The current paper deals with the design of formalism to extract and represent knowledge from the data in a consistent format. The application of logic and linguistics combined greatly eases and increases the precision of knowledge translation from natural language. The results clearly indicate the effectiveness of the knowledge extraction and representation methodology developed providing intelligence to machines for efficient analysis of data. The methodology helps machines to retrieve precise results in an efficient manner.

Program Pembangunan Kepimpinan Meningkatkan Pemindahan Latihan dalam Tentera Darat Malaysia: Kajian Empirikal

Abstract: ABSTRAK Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengukur perhubungan di antara program pembangunan kepimpinan dengan pemindahan latihan. Kaedah tinjauan telah digunakan menerusi borang soal selidik yang diedarkan kepada para pemimpin tentera darat yang bertugas di Semenanjung Malaysia. Analisis model laluan Smart Partial Least Squares (SmartPLS) telah dilaksanakan untuk menguji hipotesis-hipotesis kajian dan keputusan pengujian ini menunjukkan tiga penemuan penting; pertama, kandungan kursus mempunyai perkaitan yang positif dan signifikan dengan pemindahan latihan. Kedua, peranan jurulatih mempunyai perkaitan yang positif tetapi tidak signifikan dengan pemindahan latihan. Ketiga, sokongan pengurusan mempunyai perkaitan yang positif dan signifikan dengan pemindahan latihan. Dapatan ini mengesahkan bahawa kandungan kursus dan sokongan pengurusan telah bertindak sebagai pemboleh ubah peramal yang penting kepada pemindahan latihan. Sebaliknya, peranan jurulatih tidak berupaya bertindak sebagai pemboleh ubah peramal yang penting kepada pemindahan latihan di organisasi kajian. Justeru itu, artikel ini turut menghuraikan perbincangan, implikasi dan kesimpulan kajian. Kata kunci: Pemindahan latihan; latihan kepimpinan; kandungan kursus; peranan jurulatih; sokongan pengurusan ABSTRACT This study aims to measure the relationship between leadership development programs and training transfer. A survey method was employed to gather survey questionnaires from armed forces leaders in Peninsular Malaysia. The SmartPLS path model analysis was utilized to test the research hypotheses and outcomes of this test showed three important findings; first, course content was positively and significantly related with training transfer. Second, trainer’s role was positive but insignificantly related with training transfer. Third, management support was positively and significantly related with training transfer. In sum, this result confirms that course content and management support act as important predictors of training transfer. Conversely, trainer’s role does not act as an important predictor of training transfer in the studied organization. Further, this article offers discussion, implications and conclusion. Keywords: Training transfer; leadership training; course content; trainer’s role; management support

Electrochemical Properties of Glyme Based Plasticizer on Gel Polymer Electrolytes Doped with Lithium Bis(Trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide

Abstract: In this study, gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) system is prepared by the solution cast technique. The system consists of cellulose acetate (CA) as a host polymer, lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) as a dopant salt and diethylene glycol dibutylether (BDG) from glyme based family as a plasticizer. GPEs (65 wt. % CA–25 wt. % LiTFSI–10 wt. % BDG) sample is the highest conductivity of 2.88×10-3 S.cm−1 at room temperature. The lithium-electrolyte interfaced stability is established and the highest ionic conducting electrolyte is able to withstand up to 3.8V vs Li/Li+.

The Treated Cellulose Micro/Nano Fibers (CMNF) from Bioresources in Malaysia

Abstract: Cellulose Micro/Nano fibers (CMNF) from various plants which is Resak (Vatica spp.) waste, Merbau (Intsia bijuga) waste, banana (Musa acuminata) pseudo-stem and pineapple (Ananas comosus) leaf fibers have been isolated and characterized. Isolation of microfibril cellulose from raw fibers was achieved using alkaline treatment and bleaching. The treated and untreated samples were characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Characterizations of treated and untreated samples were compared. The comparison between those treated and untreated samples giving different crystallite size, crystallinity, arrangement of CMNF and surface morphology from different plants. Hence, with these information different nanocomposite from CMNF can be constructed and manipulated for various application.

Ellagic Acid Increases Osteocalcin and Alkaline Phosphatase After Tooth Extraction in Nicotinic-Treated Rats.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES -To examine the effect of nicotine (Ni) on bone socket healing treated with Ellagic acid (EA) after tooth extraction in rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-Two Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats were divided into four groups. The group 1 was administrated with distilled water intragastrically and injected sterile saline subcutaneously. The group 2 was administrated with EA orally and injected with sterile saline subcutaneously. The groups 3 & 4 were subcutaneously exposed to Ni for 4 weeks twice daily before tooth extraction procedure, and maintained Ni injection until the animals were sacrificed. After one month Ni exposure, the group 4 was fed with EA while continuing Ni injection. All the groups were anesthetized, and the upper left incisor was extracted. Four rats from each group were sacrificed on 14(th) and 28(th) days. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were applied to assess in serum rat at 14th and 28(th) days. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBRAS) levels were assessed to evaluate the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation accordingly after tooth extraction in homogenized gingival maxilla tissue of rat at 14(th) and 28(th) days. The socket hard tissue was stained by eosin and hematoxylin (HE immunohistochemical technique was used to assess the healing process by Osteocalcin (OCN) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) biomarkers. RESULTS Ni-induced rats administered with EA compound (Group 4) dropped the elevated concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines significantly when compared to Ni-induced rats (Group 3) (p<0.05). Ni-induced rats administrated with EA compound (Group 4) showed significant production of SOD and recession in TBRAS level when compared to Ni-induced rats (Group 3) (p<0.05). The immunohistochemistry analysis has revealed that OCN and ALP have presented stronger expression in Ni-induced rats treated with EA (Group 4), as against Ni-induced rats (Group 3). CONCLUSION We have concluded that, Ni-induced rats, treated with EA have exerted positive effect on the trabecular bone formation after tooth extraction in nicotinic rats could be due to the antioxidant activity of EA which lead to upregulate of OCN and ALP proteins which are responsible for osteogenesis.