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Membrane gas-liquid separation technology has garnered significant attention in applications such as membrane desalination, distillation, and gas absorption due to its operational flexibility, compact design, and large specific interfacial area. However, the currently used membranes are prone to pore wetting under high operational pressures, transitioning from a non-wetted state to partially or fully wetted conditions. This undesired wetting increases mass transfer resistance for water vapor molecules, ultimately leading to reduced removal efficiency. To address this issue and enhance wetting resistance, membrane hydrophobicity needs to be improved. In this study, a highly hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane was developed using the phase inversion method for membrane distillation applications. We mixed a 16wt% polymer concentration with N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent at 50°C for 24 hours. Subsequently, the polymer solution was cast and exposed to different non-solvents, namely water and methanol, to investigate their impact. Surface morphology and hydrophobic properties of the synthesized membranes were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and a Goniometer. Our findings indicate that the PVDF membrane fabricated with methanol as the non-solvent exhibited a significantly higher water contact angle of 126°, compared to 70° when deionized water was used as the non-solvent. This change from water to methanol as the non-solvent resulted in a more symmetrical membrane structure, enhancing the water contact angle from 70° to 126°. It is interesting to note that increase in the water contact angle increases the hydrophobicity of the PVDF membrane.

This study is based on the comparative analysis of the editorial pages of Dawn and Jang to explore the framing of US-Pakistan relations ten years before and after 9/11. The time period selected for this study is presented in phases: Phase A  from 1990 to 2000) and Phase B (from 2001-2011). The relation between Pakistan and the US during the above-mentioned phases can be categorized into periods of engagements (where Pakistan enjoyed the status of the most trusted ally without compromising its regional interest) and periods of disengagements (where Pakistan faced  US sanctions and was left alone to deal with the aftermath of the Afghan war and the war on terrorism). Hence, the understudied period provides an interesting insight into how Dawn and Jang framed the issue of US-Pakistan relations on their editorial pages.

We present a case report of a 45-year-old Malay female prison officer with a diagnosis of lateral patellofemoral joint (PFJ) osteoarthritis (OA) in her right knee for whom conservative treatment failed. She was periodically followed up for the unresolving anterior right knee pain, and the patient was offered interpositional PFJ arthroplasty with the quadriceps tendon.A novel technique of interpositional PFJ arthroplasty using lateral inner section ipsilateral quadriceps tendon was applied. The approach and surgical technique were described in this case report. The aim of this study is to describe why this technique was chosen, step by step with images on how interpositional PFJ arthroplasty is done and its satisfactory outcome following a three-month follow up.

Purpose - This study was conducted to identify the relationship and influence of mathematics teachers’ perception and readiness on the practice of critical thinking skills (CTS) in implementing pedagogical processes in secondary schools. Methodology - Participants of the study consisted of 226 mathematics teachers who taught in three different secondary school categories, namely high performing schools (HPS), moderate performing schools (MPS) and low performing schools (LPS) throughout the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. The instrument used was adapted from Thurman (2009) to test the teachers’ perception of CTS, while the teachers’ readiness to apply CTS was adapted from Nagappan (2001) and Yusof and Ibrahim (2012). Besides, measurement of the teachers’ practice of CTS was adapted from Aldegether (2009), Barak and Shakhman (2008), and Shim and Walczak (2012). Findings - Teachers’ perception, readiness, and CTS practice in mathematics teaching were high in HPS but low in LPS. There was a strong positive relationship between teachers’ perception of CTS practice and teachers’ readiness to implement CTS practice in mathematics teaching. In addition, a total of 65 percent variance was contributed by both variables, namely teachers’ perception and teachers’ readiness for CTS practice in mathematics teaching, and this contribution was very high. Significance - The findings of the study also proved that the practice of CTS has improved the pedagogical quality of teachers, especially in meeting the needs of 21st century learning in the classroom. The emphasis on higher order thinking skills (HOTS) is a continuation of the excellence of teaching strategies through a variety of planned learning resources.

The depleting fossil fuel reserves and increasing environmental concerns have continued to stimulate research into biodiesel as a green fuel alternative produced from renewable resources. In this study, Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) oil methyl ester was produced by using microwave-assisted technique. The optimum operating conditions for the microwave-assisted transesterification of Kapok seed oil including temperature, catalyst loading, methanol to oil molar ratio, and irradiation time were investigated by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Central Composite Design (CCD). A maximum conversion of 98.9 % was obtained under optimum conditions of 57.09 °C reaction temperature, 2.15 wt% catalyst (KOH) loading, oil to methanol molar ratio of 1:9.85, and reaction time of 3.29 min. Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) spectroscopy was performed to verify the conversion of the fatty acid into methyl esters. The properties of Kapok oil methyl ester produced under the optimum conditions were characterized and found in agreement with the international ASTM D 6751 and EN 14214 standards.

This project is aimed at studying the applicability of nanocellulose-based surfactant as a sustainable surfactant for enhanced oil recovery process (EOR) in Malaysia. Abundant biomass waste from palm oil industry in Malaysia is hard to be disposed of. Therefore, potential application of biomass in chemical EOR is an attractive alternative to minimize these problems. For this study, nanocellulose is synthesized from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and undergoes chemical modification for it to act like a surfactant. All methods and techniques in synthesizing nanocellulose and preparing nanocellulose-based surfactant are made inhouse. While waiting for the material preparation, adsorption study is carried out by using anionic synthetic surfactant. Characterization result shows the nanocellulose undergoes chemical modification successfully. The IFT results for the nanocellulose-based surfactants are also in a good and acceptable range, but there are some limitations in using nanocellulose-synthesized surfactant. The average particle size of nanocellulose is 283.5 µm which is larger than size of the reservoir pore throat. Dynamic adsorption cannot be performed as the large particle size of nanocellulose might plug the porous domains. Therefore, it is recommended to further improve the method of synthesizing nanocellulose from OPEFB because the nanocellulose-based surfactant is expected to have potential of lower adsorption in porous media once it becomes nanosized and due to its advantages such as being of lower cost and environmental friendly compared to other commercial surfactants.

Students were compelled to study online when the fatal COVID-19 outbreak hit Malaysia. Students believe it to be difficult to adopt a learning style as a result. Hence, a lot of them say they are stressed out, have red eyes, are worn out, have back discomfort, and eventually, their academic performance suffers. This study investigates the impact of first-time online learning on students' academic performance while under a total lockdown or mobility control order during COVID-19. The technique used in this study was applied to survey questions that were collected via Google Forms from university students in Malaysia. 172 respondents admitted to taking part in this study. All indicated antecedents, including the learning environment, course design, time management, teacher quality, and resource management and utilization, are predictors of mandatory online learning adoption, according to the survey questionnaire. Most students also think enrolling in an online course will help them get better scores. This study may be the first to examine how online learning programs affect students' performance during COVID-19 and the Movement Control Order (MCO). Government organizations will be able to create new regulations that benefit students best if the infrastructure is improved and the internet connection is less expensive.