Sayed Gholam Hassan Tabatabaei, Amir Vahid Dastjerdi, Wan M.N. Wan Kadir, Suhaimi Ibrahim and Elahe Sarafian
Automated composition of semantic web services has become one of the recent critical issues in today's web environment. Despite the importance of artificial intelligence…
Abstract
Purpose
Automated composition of semantic web services has become one of the recent critical issues in today's web environment. Despite the importance of artificial intelligence (AI)‐planning techniques for web service composition, previous works in that area do not address security issues, which is the focus of this paper. The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach to achieve security conscious composition of semantic web services.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed approach called security conscious composition of semantic web services (SCAIMO) is based on the prior work, i.e. AIMO. The AIMO is an effective approach for web service discovery and composition based on AI‐planning, web service modeling ontology (WSMO), and description logic (DL). In this paper, definitions of secure matchmaking and web service composition are formalized based on DLs. Moreover, security capabilities and constraint types in the proposed SCAIMO framework are presented.
Findings
This paper proposes a secure task matchmaker which is responsible for matching security conscious tasks with operators and methods based on WSMO and DL to support the proposed SCAIMO framework. In addition, the paper implements and evaluates the SCAIMO using a test case and the result shows that the approach can provide an applicable solution.
Originality/value
The key contribution of this paper encompasses the new framework to support security capabilities and constraints during composition of semantic web services as well as the new secure task matchmaker.
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Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad Wan-Mohtar, Anita Klaus, Acga Cheng, Shardana Aiga Salis and Sarina Abdul Halim-Lim
The purpose of this paper is to identify the strain of oyster mushroom (OM) Pleurotus sapidus cultivated in a local (commercial) farm, and to generate a total quality index (TQI…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify the strain of oyster mushroom (OM) Pleurotus sapidus cultivated in a local (commercial) farm, and to generate a total quality index (TQI) on the strain using different modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) gas mixtures.
Design/methodology/approach
A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the MEGA software to identify the specific strain of P. sapidus grown in a local farm. The effects of MAP on fresh fruiting bodies of the identified strain were determined under three conditions: high carbon dioxide packaging (HCP: 20 per cent CO2, 15 per cent O2), low carbon dioxide packaging (LCP: 2 per cent CO2, 30 per cent O2) and high nitrogen packaging (HNP: 85 per cent N2, 15 per cent O2). All samples were stored at 4 oC for up to ten days, and subjected to total phenolic content (TPC), colour retention (CR) and sensory analysis. Quality parameters such as chewiness and odour were used to obtain the TQI.
Findings
From the phylogenetic analysis, a new strain (P. sapidus strain QDR) with 99 per cent similarity to P. sapidus was identified. Among the three MAP treatments, HCP recorded the highest TPC (2.85 mg GAE/g) and CR (60.36) after ten days, although only its CR was significantly different (p<0.05) from the control. Feedback from 30 sensory panellists indicated that both HCP and LCP were generally more effective in retaining the colour–odour of OM. The optimum TQI for HCP was obtained based on the observed parameters, which is useful for the large-scale packaging of OM.
Originality/value
Scientific evidence has revealed that packaging trend for commercially grown OM affects consumer’s acceptance.
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Higher education in Malaysia only began in 1949 with the establishment of the University of Malaya in Singapore. With independence in 1957, a new campus was established in Kuala…
Abstract
Higher education in Malaysia only began in 1949 with the establishment of the University of Malaya in Singapore. With independence in 1957, a new campus was established in Kuala Lumpur in 1962. Since then, Malaysian higher education has undergone several major changes. The first was the focus on affirmative action while opening up to private institutions, which heralded a new phase. Malaysia’s early 21st century higher education sector can be characterised as having roughly equal numbers of students enrolled in about 120 public and 500 private institutions with the gender ratio biased significantly in favour of females. Public institutions employ more qualified academic staff, but private institutions emphasise teaching over research. The sector faces major challenges, some internal to the system while others related to the rest of the economy. Internal challenges relate to the primacy of affirmative action over merit as entry qualifications for enrolment as well as the paucity of science and technology graduates. Economy-wide challenges relate to female graduates’ low participation in the labour force, attrition through brain drain, and failure to achieve technological catch-up. These factors combined conspire to ensnare Malaysia in the ‘middle-income trap’ the escape from which requires fundamental reform.
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Suriyani Muhamad, Suhal Kusairi, Nazli Aziz, Rokiah Kadir and Wan Zulkifli Wan Kassim
This study examined the economic and social impact of Malaysian universities on their communities from stakeholders' perspectives. It analysed whether university stakeholders'…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examined the economic and social impact of Malaysian universities on their communities from stakeholders' perspectives. It analysed whether university stakeholders' spending, human capital (HC) and knowledge exploration (KE) will impact aggregate income (AI), quality of life (QOL) and business growth (BG) in surrounding communities.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted among 540 university stakeholders from the southern, northern and eastern regions of Malaysia, representing the alumni, community and industry. Data were subjected to factor analysis using structural equation modelling (SEM).
Findings
Results showed that universities impacted communities' economic development and wellbeing, thereby fulfilling their community-related role.
Originality/value
This study addressed universities' role in communities' economic growth and social development. Universities' contributions towards communities can be improved through the proposed model, which suggests ways to maximise their impact. A more detailed study of a particular university is needed to identify other factors that can strengthen universities' impact, even at national and global levels.
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Shima Yazdani and Esmail Lakzian
Currently, waste is regarded as a symptom of inefficiency. The generation of waste is a human activity, not a natural one. Currently, landfilling and incinerating wastes are…
Abstract
Currently, waste is regarded as a symptom of inefficiency. The generation of waste is a human activity, not a natural one. Currently, landfilling and incinerating wastes are common waste management techniques; but the use of these methods, in addition to wasting raw materials, causes damage to the environment, water, soil, and air. In the new concept of “Zero Waste” (ZW), waste is considered a valuable resource. A vital component of the methodology includes creating and managing items and procedures that limit the waste volume and toxicity and preserve and recover all resources rather than burning or burying them. With ZW, the end of one product becomes the beginning of another, unlike a linear system where waste is generated from product consumption. A scientific treatment technique, resource recovery, and reverse logistics may enable the waste from one product to become raw material for another, regardless of whether it is municipal, industrial, agricultural, biomedical, construction, or demolition. This chapter discusses the concept of zero landfills and zero waste and related initiatives and ideas; it also looks at potential obstacles to put the ZW concept into reality. Several methods are presented to investigate and evaluate efficient resource utilization for maximum recycling efficiency, economic improvement through resource minimization, and mandatory refuse collection. One of the most practical and used approaches is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, which is based on green engineering and the cradle-to-cradle principle; the LCA technique is used in most current research, allowing for a complete investigation of possible environmental repercussions. This approach considers the entire life cycle of a product, including the origin of raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, usage, and final disposal, or recycling. Using a life cycle perspective, all stakeholders (product designers, service providers, political and legislative agencies, and consumers) may make environmentally sound and long-term decisions.
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Azmy H.J. Mohamed, J.B. Hall, Othman Sulaiman, Razak Wahab and Wan Rashidah Wan A.
The aim of this study was to contribute towards the systematic management of the natural stand bamboo resource at Nami, Kedah, Malaysia and to improve the forest environment…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to contribute towards the systematic management of the natural stand bamboo resource at Nami, Kedah, Malaysia and to improve the forest environment rather than leaving it neglected and unmanaged. In addition, the study examines the commercial value of the abundant bamboo culms for a sustained industry in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
A one‐hectare experimental plot of Gigantochloa scortechinii (buluh semantan) was established with a split plot design of fertilizer treatments 0, 2 and 5 kg of NPK 15:15:15 and felling intensities of 0, 40, 60 and 80 percent. The experiment was conducted for four years. Parameters such as the number of shoots, culms and basal area were observed throughout the study.
Findings
From this study significant results were obtained and management principles were formulated. Due to the effect of fertilizer application, there was an increment of 30 percent of shoots sprouted per clump per application. Thinning should be done selectively and mature culms aged more than three years old well spaced within the clump need to be felled first.
Originality/value
This new knowledge would be of value to managers and policy makers in formulating the proper management plan for the exploitation of future resources in the country.
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Nurizaty Zuhan, Mariyana Aida Ab Kadir, Muhammad Najmi Mohamad Ali Mastor, Shek Poi Ngian and Abdul Rahman Mohd. Sam
Concrete-filled steel hollow (CFHS) column is an innovation to improve the performance of concrete or steel column. It is believed to have high compressive strength, good…
Abstract
Purpose
Concrete-filled steel hollow (CFHS) column is an innovation to improve the performance of concrete or steel column. It is believed to have high compressive strength, good plasticity and is excellent for seismic and fire performance as compared to hollow steel column without a filler.
Design/methodology/approach
Experimental and numerical investigation has been carried out to study the performance of CFHS having different concrete in-fill and shape of steel tube.
Findings
In this paper, an extensive review of experiment performed on CFHS columns at elevated temperature is presented in different types of concrete as filling material. There are three different types of concrete filling used by the researchers, such as normal concrete (NC), reinforced concrete and pozzolanic-fly ash concrete (FC). A number of studies have conducted experimental investigation on the performance of NC casted using recycled aggregate at elevated temperature. The research gap and the recommendations are also proposed. This review will provide basic information on an innovation on steel column by application of in-filled materials.
Research limitations/implications
Design guideline is not considered in this paper.
Practical implications
Fire resistance is an important issue in the structural fire design. This can be a guideline to define the performance of the CFHS with different type of concrete filler at various exposures.
Social implications
Utilization of waste fly ash reduces usage of conventional cement (ordinary Portland cement) in concrete production and enhances its performance at elevated temperature. The new innovation in CFHS columns with FC can reduce the cost of concrete production and at the same time mitigate the environmental issue caused by waste material by minimizing the disposal area.
Originality/value
Review on the different types of concrete filler in the CFHS column. The research gap and the recommendations are also proposed.
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Muhammet Fatih Aslan, Akif Durdu, Kadir Sabancı and Kemal Erdogan
In this study, human activity with finite and specific ranking is modeled with finite state machine, and an application for human–robot interaction was realized. A robot arm was…
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, human activity with finite and specific ranking is modeled with finite state machine, and an application for human–robot interaction was realized. A robot arm was designed that makes specific movements. The purpose of this paper is to create a language associated to a complex task, which was then used to teach individuals by the robot that knows the language.
Design/methodology/approach
Although the complex task is known by the robot, it is not known by the human. When the application is started, the robot continuously checks the specific task performed by the human. To carry out the control, the human hand is tracked. For this, the image processing techniques and the particle filter (PF) based on the Bayesian tracking method are used. To determine the complex task performed by the human, the task is divided into a series of sub-tasks. To identify the sequence of the sub-tasks, a push-down automata that uses a context-free grammar language structure is developed. Depending on the correctness of the sequence of the sub-tasks performed by humans, the robot produces different outputs.
Findings
This application was carried out for 15 individuals. In total, 11 out of the 15 individuals completed the complex task correctly by following the different outputs.
Originality/value
This type of study is suitable for applications to improve human intelligence and to enable people to learn quickly. Also, the risky tasks of a person working in a production or assembly line can be controlled with such applications by the robots.