Browse publications by year: 2012

First Report of Dolabra nepheliae Associated with Corky Bark Disease of Rambutan and Pulasan in Honduras

Rossman A, Melgar J, Walker D, Gonzales A, Ramirez T, Rivera J

Plant Dis, 2012 May;96(5):765.
PMID: 30727564 DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-01-12-0081-PDN

In the last decade, rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L., Sapindaceae) and pulasan (N. mutabile Blume) have been cultivated in Honduras to produce exotic fruits for export to North America (2). Recently, a disease was observed that produces dark brown to black fissured cankers from 1 to 3 cm long and 1 to 4 cm wide. The infected bark tissue becomes swollen with the middle region 3 to 8 mm thick. Symptoms appear when the trees are approximately 3 years old. As the trees mature, the cankers increase in size and weaken the branches, often resulting in breakage with the weight of the fruit causing substantial plant damage and fruit loss. In August 2010, fissured branch samples of rambutan and pulasan were collected from 6- to 8-year-old trees from the Humid Tropical Demonstrative Agroforestry Center in Honduras, Atlantida, La Masica (15°33'47.4″N, 87°05'2.5″W, elevation 106 m). A fungus associated with the cankers was identified as Dolabra nepheliae. It produces black, stipitate, elongate ascomata, 312 to 482 × 250 to 281 μm with broadly cylindric, bitunicate asci, 120 to 138 × 11.2 to 15.0 μm, and filiform, hyaline ascospores, 128 to 135 × 2.8 to 3.2 μm. Fungi from rambutan and pulasan were isolated on cornmeal agar plus 0.5% dextrose and antibiotics. On potato dextrose agar, the ascospores produced slow-growing colonies, 5 mm per week. In culture, isolates from both hosts produced pycnidia with elongated, slightly to strongly curved or S-shaped, hyaline conidia, 22.8 to 46.4 × 2.8 to 3.7 μm. This fungus was first reported on rambutan and pulasan from Malaysia (1,4), and later reported on rambutan and litchi in Hawaii and Puerto Rico (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of D. nepheliae on pulasan and rambutan from Honduras. Specimens have been deposited at the U.S. National Fungus Collections (BPI 882442 on N. lappaceum and BPI 882443 on N. mutabile). Cultures were deposited at the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures (CBS) as CBS 131490 on N. lappaceum and CBS 131491 on N. mutabile. Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region including ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 intergenic spacers were deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JQ004281 on N. lappaceum and Accession No. JQ004280 on N. mutabile). A BLAST search and pairwise comparison using the GenBank web server were used to compare ITS sequence data and recovered the following results: (i) CBS 131490 on N. lappaceum is 99% (538 of 544) identical to D. nepheliae CBS 123297 on Litchi chinensis from Puerto Rico; and (ii) CBS 131491 on N. mutabile is 99% (527 of 533) identical to the same strain of D. nepheliae. On the basis of the ITS sequence data, the isolates from Honduras were confirmed as the same species, D. nepheliae from Puerto Rico. Efforts to develop resistant germplasm and management strategies to control this disease have been initiated. References: (1) C. Booth and W. P. Ting. Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 47:235, 1964. (2) T. Ramírez et al. Manual Para el Cultivo de Rambutan en Honduras. Fundación Hondureña de Investigación Agrícola. La Lima, Cortes, Honduras, 2003. (3) A. Y. Rossman et al. Plant Dis. 91:1685, 2007. (4) H. Zalasky et al. Can. J. Bot. 49:559, 1971.

MeSH terms: Agar; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Fruit; Hawaii; Honduras; Humans; Hyalin; Solanum tuberosum; Puerto Rico; Spores, Fungal; Tolnaftate; Trees; Plant Bark; Databases, Nucleic Acid; Litchi
Fulltext Minimal Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis (MIPO) Technique Using Anterolateral Approach for Treating Closed Proximal Humerus Fracture

Ismail H, Boedijono D, Hidayat H, Simbardjo D

Malays Orthop J, 2012 Mar;6(1):18-24.
PMID: 25279037 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1203.008

ABSTRACT: Proximal humerus fracture is the second most common fracture of the upper extremity and presents several unique problems such as anatomical complexity, high risk of avascular necrosis, minimal bone stock for purchase, significant morbidity, and lack of a universally accepted treatment. Recent treatments for proximal humerus fractures include use of minimally invasive plate osteosynthysis (MIPO). The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the outcomes of our less invasive technique using a modified anterolateral approach for treatment of proximal humerus fractures. Ten such operative procedures were performed in patients of varying age and with varied mechanism of injury from 2002-2011. All cases were conducted in an acute setting. There were no cases of infection and the functional outcome scores were good. This approach represents an alternative treatment for closed proximal humerus fracture but more extensive studies are needed.
KEY WORDS: Proximal humerus fracture, MIPO, less invasive,anterolateral approach.

MeSH terms: Bone Plates; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Humeral Fractures; Humerus; Shoulder Fractures
Genetics of inflammatory bowel disease in Asia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Ng SC, Tsoi KK, Kamm MA, Xia B, Wu J, Chan FK, et al.

Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2012 Jun;18(6):1164-76.
PMID: 21887729 DOI: 10.1002/ibd.21845

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) result from an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Preliminary findings suggest that susceptibility genes differ between IBD patients in Asia and the West. We aimed to evaluate disease-predisposing genes in Asian IBD patients.
METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed of published studies from 1950 to 2010 using keyword searches in MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBM Reviews, and BIOSIS Previews.
RESULTS: In all, 477 abstracts were identified and data extracted from 93 studies, comprising 17,976 IBD patients and 27,350 age- and sex-matched controls. Major nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-2 variants in Western Crohn's disease (CD) patients were not associated with CD in Han Chinese, Japanese, South Korean, Indian, and Malaysian populations. New NOD2 mutations were, however, associated with CD in Malaysians (JW1), Han Chinese, and Indians (P268S). Autophagy-related protein 16-linked 1 (ATG16L1) was not associated with CD in East Asians (odds ratio [OR] 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84-1.13). Interleukin (IL)-23R was associated with CD in South Koreans (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.16-2.82) and a single nucleotide polymorphism in IL-23R (Gly149Arg) was protective of CD in Han Chinese (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.15-0.60). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily gene-15 (SF15) polymorphisms were associated with CD (OR 2.68; 95% CI 1.86-3.86), while TNF-308 polymorphisms (OR 1.82; 95% CI 1.15-2.9), cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA)-4 (OR 2.75; 95% CI 1.22-6.22) and MICA allele (OR 2.41; 95% CI 1.89-3.07) were associated with ulcerative colitis in Asians.
CONCLUSIONS: Genetic mutations of IBD in Asians differ from Caucasians. New mutations and susceptibility genes identified in Asian IBD patients provide an opportunity to explore new disease-associated mechanisms in this population of rising incidence.

MeSH terms: Humans; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/genetics*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics*
The Dark Cartoon: Intrusive Imagery Secondary to Childhood Sexual Abuse

Katsuura Y, Russell V

Ir J Psychol Med, 2012 Jan;29(3):171-175.
PMID: 30200052 DOI: 10.1017/S0790966700017201

We report on the case of a middle-aged woman with a complex psychiatric history in whom atypical intrusive imagery identified in the mental status examination appeared to represent an emergence of childhood dissociative phenomena. These new symptoms led to the reappraisal of her clinical presentation and a diagnostic re-evaluation that they represented a re-emergence of childhood post-traumatic stress disorder secondary to sexual abuse. We discuss the phenomenology identified in our patient with the aim of increasing awareness of unusual symptoms in adults with a history of childhood sexual abuse and the importance of the mental state examination in eliciting and classifying such phenomena.

MeSH terms: Adult; Dissociative Disorders; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Sex Offenses; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Imagery (Psychotherapy)
Fulltext Melioidosis in acute cholangitis of diabetic patient: a forgotten diagnosis

Mohamad N, Ponnusamy S, Devi S, Manikam R, Idrus II, Bakar NHA

Res Rep Trop Med, 2012;3:103-106.
PMID: 30100777 DOI: 10.2147/RRTM.S34483

Melioidosis presents with a wide range of clinical presentations, which include severe community-acquired pneumonia, septicemia, central nervous system infection, and less severe soft tissue infection. Hence, its diagnosis depends heavily on the clinical microbiology laboratory for culture. In this case report, we describe an atypical presentation of melioidosis in a 52-year-old man who had fever, right upper-abdominal pain, and jaundice for 15 days. Melioidosis caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei was subsequently diagnosed from blood culture. As a primary care physician, high suspicion index is of great importance. High suspicion index of melioidosis in a high-risk group patient, such as the patient with diabetes mellitus and diabetic foot, is crucial in view of atypical presentations of pseudomonas sepsis. A correct combination of antibiotic administration in the early phase of therapy will determine its successful outcome.

MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Central Nervous System Infections; Fever; Humans; Jaundice; Male; Melioidosis; Middle Aged; Pneumonia; Pseudomonas; Pseudomonas Infections; Abdominal Pain; Bacteremia; Burkholderia pseudomallei; Diabetic Foot; Soft Tissue Infections; Sepsis; Physicians, Primary Care; Blood Culture
Fulltext Integrating campus community through outdoor education

Jaffry Zakaria

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2012;1(1):89-95.
MyJurnal

The racial riot incident on 13th of May 1969 had opened the eyes of many people to realize on how important serious efforts to be focused in managing the sensitivity and the differences in multiracial society in countries like Malaysia. Many experts believe that integration can be build through outdoor education activities. The author will try to unravel and discuss on the outdoor education activity relations and integration campus community. This discussion will cover the latest issues and a variety of previous studies and personal experiences of the author as an outdoor education activist.

MeSH terms: Eye; Humans; Malaysia; Riots; Societies; Continental Population Groups; Community Integration
Fulltext The effects of modality imagery training on overhead skill performance in volleyball game

Yusop Ahmad, Nur Haziyanti Mohamad Khalid, Trevor Glen Philip

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2012;1(1):82-88.
MyJurnal

This study aimed to test the effect of modality imagery training via video tapes and audio tapes to improve the performance of overhead service skills in volleyball. 45 subjects who followed the volleyball professional course in Sultan Idris University of Education (UPSI) were selected for this test and they were randomly divided into three groups: video, audio group and control group. Russel-Lange Volleyball Test was used to obtain data on the overhead service performance. The results showed significant differences in overhead service performance before and after participants were exposed to the methods of video and audio tapes. There were also significant differences in overhead service performance among the video, audio, and control group. The study should that the introduction of audio and video imagery method may helps improve the overhead service skills performance in volley ball.

MeSH terms: Communications Media; Eugenol; Humans; Zinc Oxide; Control Groups; Volleyball
Fulltext The effect of SET pedagogical training style to low-skilled students in hockey game

Nathan, Sanmuga

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2012;1(1):68-81.
MyJurnal

This quasi-experimental study examined the effectiveness of SET pedagogical style training that combined teaching style E (Inclusion style) from Mosston Spectrum of Teaching Styles (Mosston & Ashworth, 2002) with Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU), in hockey. A total of n=25, Form One low-skilled students (LSS) secondary school boys were involved in this study using Physical Education class for the duration of nine weeks. The effectiveness of the SET pedagogical style of training on LSS in hockey was measured using speed and accuracy executing general hockey skills, acquisition of declarative and procedural hockey knowledge as well as ball control, decision making (passing, tackling, dribbling and scoring) and skill execution (passing, tackling, dribbling and scoring) in 3 vs 3 game play. The data was analysed using MANCOVA together with other two training styles, which was not disclosed in this article. Findings indicated there were significant improvements in speed and accuracy executing hockey general skills, declarative and procedural knowledge using SET pedagogical style of training. Findings too revealed the SET style was able to develop significantly game components of ball control, decision makng and skill execution in 3 vs 3 game plays at posttest among LSS group. Conclusion, further research has to be done to validate the SET pedagogical style of training across many invasion games.

MeSH terms: Decision Making; Hockey; Humans; Learning; Male; Physical Education and Training; Research; Students; Knowledge
Fulltext Profile of resilience among sport science students

Nur Haziyanti Mohamad Khalid

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2012;1(1):54-67.
MyJurnal

A study was conducted to examine resilience profiles among Sport Science students (N=280) in Sultan Idris Education University, Tanjong Malim. The resilience aspects were comprising risk factors, protective factors such as resilience strength, emotional intelligence, and locus of control, and also resilience outcomes in terms of students’ mental health status and their academic achievement. Adult Resiliency Attitudes Scale (ARAS), BarOn Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth Version (BarOn EQi:YV), Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) and students final examination results were used to measure the profiles. The results indicate that the academic factor was among the highest risk factors which contribute stress to the students. In terms of protective factors, students were strong enough in their morality aspect (resiliency strength), general mood (emotional intelligence) and internal locus of control. In fact, Sport Science students should possess very significant protective factors in terms of their resiliency strength, emotional intelligence and internal locus of control in order to face any future risk factors and to stabilize their mental health status.
Fulltext Preferred coaching styles of the Malaysian sports school athletes

Nelfianty Mohd Rasyid, Shaharudin Abd Aziz

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2012;1(1):45-53.
MyJurnal

The purpose of this study was to identify the preferred coaching styles of the Malaysian Sports School athletes based on gender, age group, and types of sports they had participated. This study utilised the athletes preferred version of the Leadership Scale for Sport questionnaire (LSS). The subjects were the population of two Malaysian Sport School athletes (N = 854; Bukit Jalil Sports School = 409, Bandar Penawar Sports School = 445). The findings demonstrated that Training and Instruction (M = 4:09, SD = 73) was the most preferred leadership style by the athletes, followed by Democratic (M = 3.87, SD = .75), Social Support (M = 3.74, SD = .75) and Positive Feedback (M = 3:59, SD = .82). Autocratic behavior was the least preferred coaching style (M = 2.35, SD = 96). T-test analysis showed that there were significant differences between autocratic leadership style t(852) = 4.63, p

MeSH terms: Leadership; Surveys and Questionnaires; Social Support; Sports; Athletes; Educational Personnel; Mentoring
Fulltext Selecting kayak and canoe paddlers based on morphology and boat set-up

Kuan Boon, Ong, Timothy R Ackland

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2012;1(1):35-44.
MyJurnal

Athletes and coaches in the sport of sprint kayaking and canoeing face contradicting philosophies about the optimum physical structure of the paddler and equipment setup characteristics. There exists however, little normative data in the scientific literature for the current physical size and proportionality characteristics as well as equipment set-up of World-class or Asian sprint paddlers. These data and basic understanding of paddlers’ morphology and boat set-up would be useful for Malaysian coaches when initially selecting talented individuals for development programs as well as in determining their specialist events. Ackland et al. (2003) found that participants in Olympic sprint paddling events considered to be homogeneous in shape and physical size, male and female paddlers have SAMs of 1.1 and 1.0 respectively. Compared to other athlete groups the variance in stature and body mass of paddlers is generally low. Whilst sprint paddlers are not athletes with extreme proportionality profiles, they do possess unique characteristics not commonly observed in the general population. Whereas in equipment set-up, Ong et al. (2005) found that there are consistent differences for both male and female athletes among sprint and slalom kayak paddlers who competed at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. The sprint paddlers seated higher and using longer paddles with longer, though narrower blades (p>0.0001). But, among male sprint paddlers, only minor differences in equipment set-up were found between competitors ranked in the top 10 places to the rest of the field. Significant (p
Fulltext The acquisition of knowledge by the coaches: can qualitative approach help?

Mohar Kassim

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2012;1(1):24-34.
MyJurnal

This research is to study the knowledge of four (n=4) coaches in training at two football academies in Malaysia. This study applied a qualitative methodology (interviews and observations) to explore the unique features and circumstances surrounding the football academy coaches. Subsequently, the findings of this study revealed that i) the development of knowledge of coaching has taken place in the academy but constrained by factors involving the coach education programme at the academy level; ii) the weaknesses of the coaches in transferring important knowledge to the players.

MeSH terms: Academies and Institutes; Football; Malaysia; Research; Soccer; Knowledge; Mentoring
Fulltext Physical therapy intervention for chronic soft tissue injury in the low back: a systematic review

Lee Ai Choo, Magee, David, Choptain, Tracy, Dhillon, Sat

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2012;1(1):14-23.
MyJurnal

The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions for chronic soft tissue injury to the low back. Only randomized controlled trials identifying physical therapy interventions within the scope of practice for Canadian physiotherapists and athletic therapists, with a clinical diagnosis of chronic soft tissue injury to the low back with symptoms lasting a minimum of three months were included. Only three studies of the 87 articles reviewed were deemed eligible for review based on the relevancy criteria set forth by the reviewers. Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) and therapist supervised active exercise programs may be a promising treatment modality for chronic low back pain (CLBP) by reducing pain, improving self-reported disability, and improving physical performance. The consensus amongst reviewers’ was that the quality of the three articles were deemed of weak methodological quality making author inferences to the success of the reported physical interventions towards the modulation of pain, improved range of motion or patient satisfaction inconclusive. At the most basic level, there is a lack of uniformity in defining low back pain based on time, with definitions ranging anywhere from one week to six months. This is a major limitation in existing scientific literature. The ability to compare studies and results is hampered by the disparities in CLBP definition. The scientific rigor applied to studies devoted to therapeutic interventions and rehabilitation is poor.
Fulltext Teachers’ Pedagogical content knowledge and implementation of physical education teaching in Malaysia-Indonesia secondary schools

Julismah Jani, Syed Kamaruzaman Syed Ali

Jurnal Sains Sukan & Pendidikan Jasmani, 2012;1(1):1-13.
MyJurnal

The objectives of this study were to determine level of acquisition, implementation and differences of pedagogical content knowledge among physical education teachers It also examined the relationship between pedagogical content knowledge and its implementation during physical education lesson. About 149 of Form 4 physical education teachers in Ulu Kinta, Perak, Malaysia secondary schools and 125 physical education teachers of X class in upper secondary schools of Surabaya, Indonesia were involved in this study. Data of the study was collected through questionnaires The findings delineate a medium level (M = 2.90) of pedagogical content knowledge of Malaysian physical education teachers and 86.3% have implemented in their lessons. Whilst the Indonesian physical education teachers acquired a high level of pedagogical content knowledge (M = 3.69) and 94.2% have implemented during their physical education lessons. There was a significant (p = .00) difference among Malaysian and Indonesian physical education teachers on acquisition of pedagogical content knowledge. The findings also delineate a medium positive and significant relationship between pedagogical content knowledge and its implementation during physical education lesson of Malaysian (r = .622, p < .01) and Indonesian (r = .647, p < .01) physical education teachers respectively. The results of the study implied that pedagogical content knowledge is a specific domain to teaching process. Teachers are able to develop their current dimension and goals or contemporary of pedagogical content knowledge based on current needs and their own ability and contentment. Therefore, teachers should acquire pedagogical content knowledge so that their teaching would be meaningful and effective for students learning.

MeSH terms: Goals; Indonesia; Learning; Malaysia; Physical Education and Training; Surveys and Questionnaires; Schools; Students; Knowledge
Widening Horizon of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research in the Asia-Pacific Region

Yang BM, Lee K, Chaiyakunapruk N, Guo J

Value Health Reg Issues, 2012 May;1(1):1-2.
PMID: 29702815 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2012.03.017
Validation of the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale Revision 4 among chronic schizophrenia patients in Malaysia

Taha NA, Ibrahim MI, Rahman AF, Shafie AA, Rahman AH

Value Health Reg Issues, 2012 May;1(1):82-86.
PMID: 29702832 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2012.03.006

OBJECTIVES: To explore the validity and reliability of a disease-specific health-related quality-of-life questionnaire-the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale Revision 4 (SQLS-R4)-in patients with schizophrenia in Malaysia.
METHODS: A total of 222 outpatients with schizophrenia receiving treatment at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre completed the SQLS-R4 in either the Malay or the English language. A generic self-report health-related quality-of-life measure-the EuroQoL group EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire-and a measure of symptom severity-the Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia scale-were also administered to assess validity.
RESULTS: Good internal consistency reliability was found for both the psychosocial and vitality domains (Cronbach's α = 0.95 and 0.85, respectively). Most items were also significantly correlated with their own scale score (rs ranging from 0.29 to 0.74). There was a moderate correlation between the SQLS-R4 "vitality" domain and the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire "usual activities" domain (rs = 0.44) and a large correlation between the SQLS-R4 "psychosocial" domain and the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire "anxiety/depression" domain (rs = 0.44-0.57). Most of the symptom dimensions of the Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia scale were also moderately correlated with the SQLS-R4 subscale scores.
CONCLUSIONS: The SQLS-R4 is a valid and reliable health-related quality-of-life instrument for use in minimally ill patients with schizophrenia in Malaysia, but some of the items may be redundant and irrelevant. Validation of SQLS-R4 in different types of patients and various levels of illness severity is required to further verify its application.
Study site: Psychiatry clinic, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

MeSH terms: Adult; Hospitals, University; Humans; Malaysia; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Quality of Life*; Schizophrenia
Cytoadherence and severe malaria

Craig AG, Khairul MF, Patil PR

Malays J Med Sci, 2012 Apr;19(2):5-18.
PMID: 22973133

Malaria is a disease that causes enormous human morbidity and mortality. One feature of mature Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes leading to the development of severe malaria is thought to be cytoadherence and blockage of the microvasculature. Therefore, an understanding of mechanisms that mediate parasite adhesion leading to malaria pathology is needed to yield new treatments for malaria. However, to date, cytoadherence-associated pathology is still under debate. Is cytoadherence needed to develop severe malaria? This review will discuss the available information on associations of cytoadherence with the development of severe malaria.

MeSH terms: Animals; Erythrocytes; Humans; Malaria; Parasites; Plasmodium falciparum; Thinking; Microvessels
Effects of palm oil blended with oxidized fish oil on growth performances, hematology, and several immune parameters in juvenile Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicas

Han YZ, Ren TJ, Jiang ZQ, Jiang BQ, Gao J, Koshio S, et al.

Fish Physiol Biochem, 2012 Dec;38(6):1785-1794.
PMID: 22763698 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-012-9675-4

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of palm oil blended with oxidized and non-oxidized fish oil on growth performances, hematology, and non-specific immune response in juvenile Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicas. Japanese sea bass (1.73 ± 0.01 g) were fed seven experimental diets containing 100 g/kg of dietary lipid in forms of palm oil (10P), fish oil (10F), fish oil blended with palm oil at different ratios, 6:4 (6F4P) and 4:6 (4F6P), oxidized fish oil (10OF), and oxidized fish oil blended with palm oil at different ratios, 6:4 (6OF4P) and 4:6 (4OF6P). After the feeding trial, the following results were illustrated. No significant effects were observed in survival, feed conversion ratio, condition factor, and hematocrit after feeding with experimental diets for 60 days. The relatively higher specific growth rate and hematology were observed in 6F4P. Furthermore, both palm oil and oxidized fish oil acted as a negatively on serum lysozyme activity (P < 0.05). This study suggested that a ration of 6F4P is recommended as an innocuous ratio for Japanese sea bass. Furthermore, according to the present investigation, palm oil seems to have the ability to improve the protein efficiency when added to oxidized fish diets as well as a positive trend to the growth performance (P > 0.05).

MeSH terms: Animals; Animal Feed/analysis; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Diet/veterinary; Fish Oils/pharmacology*; Fish Oils/chemistry; Oxidation-Reduction; Perciformes/blood*; Perciformes/growth & development*; Perciformes/immunology; Plant Oils/pharmacology*; Plant Oils/chemistry; Dietary Supplements
Effect of data pre-treatment procedures on principal component analysis: a case study for mangrove surface sediment datasets

Praveena SM, Kwan OW, Aris AZ

Environ Monit Assess, 2012 Nov;184(11):6855-68.
PMID: 22146822 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2463-2

Principal component analysis (PCA) is capable of handling large sets of data. However, lack of consistent method in data pre-treatment and its importance are the limitations in PCA applications. This study examined pre-treatments methods (log (x + 1) transformation, outlier removal, and granulometric and geochemical normalization) on dataset of Mengkabong Lagoon, Sabah, mangrove surface sediment at high and low tides. The study revealed that geochemical normalization using Al with outliers removal resulted in a better classification of the mangrove surface sediment than that outliers removal, granulometric normalization using clay and log (x + 1) transformation. PCA output using geochemical normalization with outliers removal demonstrated associations between environmental variables and tides of mangrove surface sediment, Mengkabong Lagoon, Sabah. The PCA outputs at high and low tides also provided to better interpret information about the sediment and its controlling factors in the intertidal zone. The study showed data pre-treatment method to be a useful procedure to standardize the datasets and reducing the influence of outliers.

MeSH terms: Environmental Monitoring/methods*; Malaysia; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis; Water Pollution, Chemical; Geologic Sediments/chemistry*; Principal Component Analysis/methods*
Fulltext Stereotypes of age differences in personality traits: universal and accurate?

Chan W, Mccrae RR, De Fruyt F, Jussim L, Löckenhoff CE, De Bolle M, et al.

J Pers Soc Psychol, 2012 Dec;103(6):1050-1066.
PMID: 23088227 DOI: 10.1037/a0029712

Age trajectories for personality traits are known to be similar across cultures. To address whether stereotypes of age groups reflect these age-related changes in personality, we asked participants in 26 countries (N = 3,323) to rate typical adolescents, adults, and old persons in their own country. Raters across nations tended to share similar beliefs about different age groups; adolescents were seen as impulsive, rebellious, undisciplined, preferring excitement and novelty, whereas old people were consistently considered lower on impulsivity, activity, antagonism, and Openness. These consensual age group stereotypes correlated strongly with published age differences on the five major dimensions of personality and most of 30 specific traits, using as criteria of accuracy both self-reports and observer ratings, different survey methodologies, and data from up to 50 nations. However, personal stereotypes were considerably less accurate, and consensual stereotypes tended to exaggerate differences across age groups.

MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Cultural Comparison*; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Personality/physiology*; Personality Inventory; Surveys and Questionnaires; Social Perception; Stereotyping*; Reproducibility of Results; Young Adult

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