4-aminobenzoic acid (4-AB) interleaved with zinc layered hydroxide (ZAB) was successfully synthesized from 4-AB and zinc oxide (ZnO) by using co-precipitation method. The PXRD pattern of ZAB with a basal spacing of 23.2 Å has confirmed that 4-AB interleaved into zinc layered hydroxide (ZLH) inorganic interlayer. The interleaved compound was also verified with the presence of COO–  and aromatic N–C groups observed at 1518 cm−1 and 1174 cm−1, respectively, in the FTIR spectrum. The results were supported by the presence of 18.7% carbon composition in the ZAB material obtained from TGA analysis. Morphological studies showed that ZAB material is a flake-like shape with different sizes. Further characterizations of the resulting compounds were also studied by using BET/BJH, ICP and CHNS analyses...

863 hits

This study aims to identify the factors that stimulate students to get involved in the field of entrepreneurship towards producing entrepreneurs among Bachelor Degree students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). Information was obtained through the questionnaire involving 756 students following the Bachelor Degree in Education and the Non-Education Bachelor Degree in UPSI. A set of questionnaire was used to identify information about oneself and the factors that stimulate the students to venture into entrepreneurship. The study results show that most students have high level of these factors –attitude and need for achievement whereas moderate level for interest, university, intention behind entrepreneurship, readiness, obstacle and low for background. The need for skills and development of entrepreneurship required by UPSI students would be the basic course in entrepreneurship, and the support from the university, provision of capital assistance and the infrastructure suc.....

1180 hits

The aim of this research is to develop a new model of details for the leaf serration before wrapping it onto the overall leaf margin. For this purpose, we used the offset of the original leaf shape outline. The model of the leaf consists of several leaf parts are represented with B-spline curves which also represent the offset. We propose a new algorithm to represent the pattern of the details. The details are applied as an offset to the underlying curve. An algorithm how the pattern combines to the margin was also explained. The results of the drawings are divided into three categories: satisfactory, acceptable, and unsatisfactory. Expert botanist was referred to assess the drawing result to ensure the result is parallel with a botanical point of view. The findings show that the geometry of the details was satisfactory, except for some minor distortion. As the implication, this research allows novice botanists and amateurs to readily see a picture which they might find it hard to visu.....

897 hits

Currently, there is a program called Construction Technology at Vocational College, which offered Computer-aided Design (CAD) courses. These courses require the creation of designs by using a CAD software application called AutoCAD. In accordance with that, each of the Construction Technology program instructors needs to increase their own values and importance that is in line with the implementation of the Vocational College Standard Curriculum (VCSC) which included the skills of using AutoCAD software. This software is used by the instructors through method demonstration in the teaching process in order to complete the module and produce related designs. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the perception of skills and the readiness of using AutoCAD Software among the instructors of the Construction Technology program in their teaching. The respondents of the study consisted of a total of 193 instructors of the Construction Technology program throughout Peni.....

960 hits

Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) is an important path for the development of vocational education skills itself. The implementation of the Vocational College Standard Curriculum (VCSC) at a Vocational College (VC) is a major challenge to the teaching staff involved. One of the courses offered in the program of Construction Technology is Computer-Aided Design (CAD) program which requires the use of AutoCAD software in the process of drawing. The almost non-existence or the unavailability of the textbooks for referrals makes it hard and difficult for most of the non-option teachers to find the direction of teaching that they want to deliver. Therefore, this research was conducted to identify the level of readiness of using the AutoCAD software among the Construction Technology educators at vocational colleges (CV) throughout Peninsular Malaysia. The research methodology used in this study is by reviewing past studies or literature reviews. The results show that there are four mai.....

944 hits

Chondrosenescence (chondrocyte senescence) and subchondral bone deterioration in osteoarthritic rats were analyzed after treatment with the estrogenic herb Labisia pumila (LP) or diclofenac. Osteoarthritis (OA) was induced in bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX) rats by injecting mono-iodoacetate into the right knee joints. Rats were grouped (n = 8) into nontreated OVX?OA control, OVX?OA ? diclofenac (5 mg/kg) (positive control), OVX?OA ? LP leaf extract (150 and 300 mg/kg) and healthy sham control. After 8 weeks’ treatment, their conditions were evaluated via serum biomarkers, knee joint histology, bone histomorphometry, protein and mRNA expressions. The LP significantly reduced cartilage erosion, femur bone surface alteration, bone loss and porosity and increased trabecular bone thickness better than diclofenac and the non-treated OA. The cartilage catabolic markers’ (matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, RUNX2, COL10a, ERa, CASP3 and HIF-2a) mRNA expressions were down-regulated and ser.....

1056 hits

In the real industrial setting, job duties and skills requirement have changed so much that makes seeking for  employment  can  be  a  challenging  experience.  Hence,  new  graduates  need  to  have  the  right  skills  at  the  right place,  and  at  the  right  time.  This  study  has  been  conducted  to  identify  the  employability  potential  of  Malaysian Vocational College (KV) graduates based on the current employer perception. In addition,the employability skills among KV graduates as perceived by their potential employers will be identified, so an action can be suggested to KV stakeholders to better prepare their graduates. This study used a descriptive research design with a quantitativeapproach. The quantitative data for this study were obtained through questionnaires, developed based on the related literature  review.  The  population  size  of  the  study  is  882  industrial  employers,  who  were  involved  in  On  t.....

916 hits

A demand for nutritional supplements to enhance recovery after endurance training is increasing among athletes to maximize their performance. The present study was conducted to identify the effects of chocolate milk consumption on blood glucose level, hydration status and mood state of the athlete after aerobic exercise. Ten male students from the Faculty of Sport Science and Coaching, UPSI (23.7±.68 years) participated in two trials separated by 1 week. For each trial consumed either chocolate milk (CM) or glucose drink (GD) after a 60 minute run at 70% of VO2max (46.43±1.32 ml/kg/min). Blood glucose levels were determined 1 and 2 hours after post-exercise CM or GD ingestion. Urine samples were collected before and 2 hours after exercise to assess hydration status. The mood state of the subject was also measured using the BRUMS questionnaire. The data were analysed by using a paired sample t-test. The results show that blood glucose levels and the urine colour are not significantly .....

1415 hits

Low-back pain (LBP) is one of the most current causes to reduce work performance, limit daily activities and raising health cost, and it is increasing as obesity growing as a public health concern. While obese LBP people cannot avoid weight load on the spine in any exercise, they can easily carry out exercise in water. This study aimed to investigate the effect of aquatic exercise on LBP disability among obese women. In this study, a total of 39 women with body mass index (BMI)≥ 27 kg/m2 who suffering from nonspecific chronic LBP were purposively selected. They randomly assigned in two groups; aquatic and control. The aquatic group carried out aquatic exercise, twice per week, 60 min per session, for 12 weeks. LBP disability was measured using modified Oswestry questionnaire with ten sections; pain intensity, personal care, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, social life, traveling, and em-ployment. Results showed no significant difference in age, weight, BMI, waist to hip.....

1340 hits

This study is about the importance of the Teluk Anson wharf which used to be the transit centre of the merchant vessel in 1882 until 1941. It also was known as wharf in the British colonial administration since the opening in 1882. The development and construction of Teluk Anson port is very important as a wharf which handle the import and export transactions in the state of Perak, especially as the collection centre of tin ore and agricultural product for the districts of Lower Perak and other nearby places. The study is carried out by using the qualitative method which focusing the analysis on the primary sources such as Marine Annual Report, Federated Malays States Annual Report, Perak Annual Report, District Report and Perak Secretariat File which obtained from The National Archive of Malaysia. The study is focusing on the Teluk Anson wharf that located in the district of Lower Perak. The findings show that the port of Teluk Anson had significant role in trading activity, export an.....

1121 hits