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1 – 10 of 146Huda Abdullah, Norshafadzila Mohammad Naim, Kok Seng Shum, Aidil Abdul Hamid, Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman, Vidhya Selvanathan, Wing Fen Yap and Seri Mastura Mustaza
Regular monitoring of bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, in wastewater is crucial to ensure the maintenance of public health. Amperometric detection proves to be a fast…
Abstract
Purpose
Regular monitoring of bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, in wastewater is crucial to ensure the maintenance of public health. Amperometric detection proves to be a fast, sensitive and economically viable solution for E. coli enumeration. This paper reported a prototype amperometric sensor based on PANI-ZnO-NiO nanocomposite thin films prepared by sol–gel method and irradiated with gamma ray. The purpose of this study is to investigate the sensor performance of PANI-ZnO-NiO nanocomposite thin films to detect E. coli in water.
Design/methodology/approach
The films were varied with different compositions of ZnO and NiO by using the formula PANI-(ZnO)1-x-(NiO)x, with x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8. PANI-ZnO-NiO nanocomposite thin films were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study the crystallinity and surface morphology of the films. The sensor performance was conducted using the current–voltage (I-V) measurement by testing the films in clean water and E. coli solution.
Findings
XRD diffractograms show the peaks of ZnO (1 0 0) and NiO (1 0 2). AFM analysis shows the surface roughness, and the grain size of PANI-ZnO-NiO thin films decreases when the concentration ratios of NiO increased. I-V curves show the difference in current flow, where the current in E. coli solution is higher than the clean water.
Originality/value
PANI-(ZnO)1-x-(NiO)x nanocomposite thin film with the highest concentration of ZnO performed the highest sensitivity among the other concentrations, which can be used to indicate the presence of E. coli bacteria in water.
William Renzo Cortez-Vega, Irene Rodrigues Freitas, Sandriane Pizato and Carlos Prentice
The purpose of this study was to isolate Whitemouth croaker protein by alkaline solubilization process and evaluate their nutritional quality to evaluate the bioavailability of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to isolate Whitemouth croaker protein by alkaline solubilization process and evaluate their nutritional quality to evaluate the bioavailability of essential amino acids.
Design/methodology/approach
The proximate composition, essential amino acid composition, in vitro digestibility, apparent bioavailability, chemical score of amino acids and SDS-PAGE were determined for the isolated croaker proteins.
Findings
The isolated protein showed a high level of protein 92.21 percent and low amount of lipids 0.57 percent. The protein is rich in lysine and leucine, 108.73 and 96.75 mg/g protein, respectively. The protein isolate had high digestibility, 94.32 percent, which indicates proper utilization of this protein source, while the tryptophan had lower bioavailability (12.58 mg amino acid/mg protein). The high chemical scores were found for the amino acids lysine, methionine+cysteine (6.79 and 5.14). SDS-PAGE of proteins extracted showed appearance of the heavy chain of myosin (220 kDa), actin (50 kDa) and other fractions, with molecular weight between 20 and 50 kDa, such as troponin I, C and T.
Originality/value
The products obtained from croaker muscle can be incorporated as a high value supplements in human diets. The isolated protein exhibited a high content of essential amino acids and digestibility, indicating that the protein has a high nutritional quality.
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William Renzo Cortez-Vega, Sandriane Pizato and Carlos Prentice
The purpose of this paper was to determine the nutritional quality of the surimi and kamaboko obtained from mechanically separated chicken meat and evaluate the bioavailability of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper was to determine the nutritional quality of the surimi and kamaboko obtained from mechanically separated chicken meat and evaluate the bioavailability of essential amino acids found in these products.
Design/methodology/approach
The mechanically separated chicken meat (MSCM) was characterized by the proximate composition, and the surimi and kamaboko were characterized by in vitro digestibility, determination of chemical score of amino acids and apparent bioavailability.
Findings
The MSCM contains 68.1 ± 0.5, 12.9 ± 0.24, 18.5 ± 0.28 and 0.6 ± 0.06 per cent moisture, protein, lipids and ash, respectively. The moisture of the MSCM (surimi) was 80.45 ± 0.15 per cent, and the protein was 10.04 ± 0.21 per cent. The highest digestibility was found for the kamaboko (92.27 per cent) which was heat-treated and the lowest was for surimi (90.82 per cent). Histidine is a limiting amino acid. In this study, the surimi showed 84.69 per cent and the kamaboko presented 81.31 per cent of the minimum requirement for adults. In relation to the apparent bioavailability, there was a decrease of surimi to kamaboko of 2.52 per cent of the limiting amino acid histidine. The surimi and the kamaboko presented 76.94 and 75 per cent of the minimum requirement for adults, respectively.
Originality/value
The application of the surimi technology in the production of a surimi-like material from mechanically deboned chicken meat provides a new approach toward increasing its value and utilization, e.g. for the development of meat-based products and analogs, as alternative protein sources, the surimi and the kamaboko exhibited a high content of essential amino acids, indicating that the protein has a relatively high nutritional quality.
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Miftachul Huda, Ajat Sudrajat, Razaleigh Muhamat, Kamarul Shukri Mat Teh and Burhanuddin Jalal
Reflections about fostering moral and spiritual qualities are the key point of view when considering the essence of religious beliefs in the theories about moral foundations. As a…
Abstract
Purpose
Reflections about fostering moral and spiritual qualities are the key point of view when considering the essence of religious beliefs in the theories about moral foundations. As a part of the spiritual values aimed at instructing human beings, mainly Muslims, tawakkul (trust in God) and tawhid (belief to God) are to be enhanced to situate the core religious foundation as the basic element for life at individual and social levels in the Muslim communities. This paper aims to critically examine tawakkul and tawhid to strengthening divine values as a foundation of self-regulation in religiosity.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper aims to critically examine tawakkul and tawhid to strengthening divine values as a foundation of self-regulation in religiosity. The literature review from referred journals was conducted using keywords on divine values, self-regulation in religiosity and tawakkul and tawhid. In order to obtain such literature, the critical analysis was conducted by organising substantive keywords. Then, extraction of data with deep literature analysis was carried out to interpret the findings. The key elements were analysed and synthesised into a new interpretation, conceptualisation and modelling of conceptualising tawakkul and tawhid concerns for sustainability of divine values for self-regulation in religiosity.
Findings
The finding reveals that the significance of conceptualising tawakkul and tawhid refers to as sustainability of divine involvement, as an emotionally religious commitment and as a consciously held religious discipline. Primarily, as the religious principle founded on a basic element transferred into individual and social levels, Islamic insights from tawakkul and tawhid offer valuable considerations for the understanding and amelioration of development by contributing a model that bases the “mental” and “spiritual” elements on a religious foundation, as an ultimate component for faith, a religious commitment and a belief in an authoritarian God to foster moral and spiritual qualities amidst the society.
Originality/value
Regulating tawakkul and tawhid to enhance dynamically constructive system for moral personality through critical examination as a foundation for religious-based self-regulation offers valuable considerations for the understanding and amelioration of development. Critical examination of tawakkul and tawhid as a foundation for religious self-regulation is considerably engaged to enhance the understanding and amelioration of development. It does so by contributing a model that bases mental and spiritual elements on a religious foundation, as an ultimate component for faith, religious commitment and belief in an authoritarian God to foster moral and spiritual qualities among human beings.
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Jafar Abdullah Ali, Loghman Khodakarami, Sharya Abdulqadir, Huda Abdulrahman and Gardun Mazar
The aim of this study is to employ the failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) for risk management in cross-country pipelines, coupled with the utilization of Geographic…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to employ the failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) for risk management in cross-country pipelines, coupled with the utilization of Geographic Information System (GIS). The objective is to enhance the significance of the project, considering the potential severe consequences of pipeline failures. These consequences encompass environmental damages, loss of life and disruptions to critical services like energy and water supply. By identifying the most frequent causes of pipeline failures and developing a predictive model, the intention is to contribute toward the prevention of such incidents and minimize their impact.
Design/methodology/approach
A total quality management (TQM) technique for risk management; FMEA, was employed in this study integrated with GIS. Eight specific failures were identified and analyzed, exploring their effects and severity, causes and likelihood of occurrence as well as control and detection value. To find the likelihood of occurrence along the pipeline, the GIS was utilized to survey a 10 km wide area along the pipeline of 180 km long. Occurrence spatial mapping for each individual failure was generated. Subsequently, the risk priority number (RPN) was calculated for each failure, presenting the values as separate maps. By overlaying the RPN maps, a final map was generated, illustrating the areas with the highest risk along the pipeline.
Findings
A modified risk management model has been developed to detect potential pipeline failures before they escalate into catastrophic events. The results provide a visual representation of the average failure modes along the pipeline, clearly highlighting regions with varying probabilities of failure based on RPN values. The RPN has been meticulously calculated across the entire pipeline, with results presented through both 2D spatial mapping and a comprehensive line graph. This comprehensive approach sets our study apart from others in the field. Our emphasis on a thorough and inclusive risk assessment methodology represents a key novelty in this research. The findings underscore the paramount importance of proactive maintenance and regular inspection practices, with these measures emerging as critical strategies for enhancing the reliability and safety of pipeline infrastructure.
Research limitations/implications
This research study aims to enhance the safety and quality of cross-country pipelines. The main limitations of the study include the inability to consider the risks associated with the flow characteristics inside the pipeline and the exclusion of the future master plan from our analysis.
Practical implications
The current integrated model is significant for pipeline operative companies and the oil and gas industries. These pipelines are susceptible to failures that can have alarming negative impacts on the environment, human safety and public health. It can improve the quality of risk management and elevate the safety integrity level of their pipelines. Focusing on the high-risk areas, taking action and implementing proactive measures can reduce the risk of failure and improve the safety and reliability of the pipeline system. It utilizes GIS-detailed surveying of the areas along the pipeline without the necessity of making on-site visits.
Originality/value
This study introduces a novel framework incorporating FMEA for quality risk management with advanced spatial mapping GIS software. This approach stands out as a unique contribution to the field, as prior studies have not undertaken the comprehensive task of highlighting risks along the entire pipeline using such a sophisticated methodology. This research makes a significant contribution to the field of crude oil transportation through pipelines, ultimately mitigating the risk of undesirable events.
Nurol Huda Dahalan, Rahimi A. Rahman, Siti Hafizan Hassan and Saffuan Wan Ahmad
Evaluating the implementation of environmental management plans (EMPs) in highway construction projects is essential to avoid climate change. Public evaluations can help ensure…
Abstract
Purpose
Evaluating the implementation of environmental management plans (EMPs) in highway construction projects is essential to avoid climate change. Public evaluations can help ensure that the EMP is implemented correctly and efficiently. To allow public evaluation of EMP implementations, this study aims to investigate performance indicators (PIs) for assessing EMP implementation in highway construction projects. To that end, the study objectives are to compare the critical PIs between environment auditors (EAs) and environment officers (EOs) and among the main project stakeholders (i.e. clients, contractors and consultants), create components for the critical PIs and assess the efficiency of the components.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper identified 39 PIs from interviews with environmental professionals and a systematic literature review. Then a questionnaire survey was developed based on the PIs and sent to EAs and EOs. The data were analyzed via mean score ranking, normalization, agreement analysis, factor analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE).
Findings
The analyses revealed 21 critical PIs for assessing EMP implementation in highway construction projects. Also, the critical PIs can be grouped into four components: ecological, pollution, public safety and ecological. Finally, the overall importance of the critical PIs from the FSE is between important and very important.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first-of-its-kind study on the critical PIs for assessing EMP implementation in highway construction projects.
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Abdullah Campong Andam and Ahmad Zamri Osman
The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors influencing intention of Muslim Filipinos to give zakat on employment income.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors influencing intention of Muslim Filipinos to give zakat on employment income.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used the extended theory of planned behaviour – an extension of the theory of reasoned action – to investigate the factors influencing intention to give zakat. The theory introduces six variables (i.e. attitude, perceived behavioural control, injunctive norm, descriptive norm, moral norm and past behaviour) in predicting the intention to give zakat. Totally, 450 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents in a Muslim-majority area (i.e. Marawi City), and 384 cases were deemed usable. The data have been analysed using multiple regression analysis.
Findings
This paper finds that attitude, descriptive norm and moral norm have a positive relationship with the intention to give zakat. Meanwhile, perceived behavioural control, injunctive norm and past behaviour are found to have insignificant influence over intention. However overall, the study supports the extension of the theory of planned behaviour which accounts for 53 per cent of the variance in intention.
Originality/value
This paper provides new insights on factors influencing the intention to give zakat on a non-Muslim majority country setting where no zakat institution operates. This paper also used the extended theory of planned behaviour on zakat compliance literature.
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Afnan Alkhaldi, Huda Alrashidi, Khawla Alhasan, Ahmad Alsadeeqi and Abdullah Alshami
The purpose of this study is to understand the public value of the government of Kuwait using blockchain technology to develop the capabilities of smart cities.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to understand the public value of the government of Kuwait using blockchain technology to develop the capabilities of smart cities.
Design/methodology/approach
Research was conducted in Kuwait, where the increased use of blockchain technology has been evidenced in both the private and public sectors. A total of seven IT managers were interviewed to gauge their responses to blockchain and its use in Kuwait ministries.
Findings
Blockchain technology offers many benefits for the development of smart cities in Kuwait. This is a statement that received almost mutual agreement amongst all the IT managers interviewed. However, as regards wider acceptance, the majority mentioned that a framework is necessary to better articulate the public value of using blockchain in smart cities in Kuwait.
Originality/value
This paper develops research hypotheses and a framework for articulating the public value of blockchain technology for smart cities in Kuwait.
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Nurol Huda Dahalan, Rahimi A. Rahman, Saffuan Wan Ahmad and Che Khairil Izam Che Ibrahim
This study aims to examine the performance indicators (PIs) for assessing environmental management plan (EMP) implementation in road construction projects. The specific objectives…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the performance indicators (PIs) for assessing environmental management plan (EMP) implementation in road construction projects. The specific objectives are to compare the key PIs between environment auditors and environment officers and among project stakeholders, develop components to categorize interrelated key PIs and evaluate the effectiveness of interrelated key PIs and components.
Design/methodology/approach
Thirty-nine PIs were identified through a systematic literature review and in-depth interviews with environmental professionals. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was designed based on this list of PIs and distributed to industry professionals. Sixty-one responses were collected in Malaysia and analyzed using the mean score ranking, normalization, agreement analysis, overlap analysis, factor analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation.
Findings
The analyses identified 18 key PIs: soil erosion, dust appearance, spill of chemical substance, construction waste, clogged drainage, overflowed silt trap, oil/fuel spills, changes in the colour of bodies of water, excessive cut and fill, vegetation depletion, changes in the colour of the runoff water, landslide occurrence, slope failures, irregular flood, public safety, deforestation, open burning and increased of schedule waste. Also, the key PIs can be grouped and ranked into the following four components: geological, pollution, environmental changes and ecological. Finally, the overall importance of the key PIs is between important and very important.
Originality/value
This study is a pioneer in quantitively examining the key PIs for EMP implementation in road construction projects. Researchers, industry practitioners and policymakers can use the findings to develop strategies and tools to allow public monitoring of EMP implementation.
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Significance of Knowledge The functional name of the Holy Quran is ‘huda’, the guiding light. It focuses divine light on each and every object separating thereby the right from…
Abstract
Significance of Knowledge The functional name of the Holy Quran is ‘huda’, the guiding light. It focuses divine light on each and every object separating thereby the right from the wrong' (al‐furqan). As this is accomplished by dint of knowledge (al‐ 'ilm). All these three guiding elements namely huda, furqan and ilm, are lined‐up by Allah, the Lord Providence (Rabb‐ulalamin), for earthly welfare (hasanah) and other‐worldly salvation (falah) of human beings. In Quranic context, knowledge, therefore, carries a great significance.