The growth of residential and commercial areas threatens vegetation and ecosystems. Thus, an urgent urban management
issue involves determining the state and the quantity of urban tree species to protect the environment, as well as controlling
their growth and decline. This study focused on the detection of urban tree species by considering three types of tree
species, namely, Mesua ferrea L., Samanea saman, and Casuarina sumatrana. New rule sets were developed to detect these
three species. In this regard, two pixel-based classification methods were applied and compared; namely, the method of
maximum likelihood classification and support vector machines. These methods were then compared with object-based
image analysis (OBIA) classification. OBIA was used to develop rule sets by extracting spatial, spectral, textural and color
attributes, among others. Finally, the new rule sets were implemented into WorldView-2 imagery. The results indicated
that the OBIA based on the rule sets displayed a significant potential to detect different tree species with high accuracy.
Meiobenthos in Bidong Archipelago in coastal water of the South China Sea is hypothesised to have a certain trend of
distribution particularly in the island ecosystem where it is usually having different type of sea bottom. Nonetheless, since
it is located in a tropical area, the trend at the sub-tidal could be less obvious due to absent of clear season. Meiobenthic
sampling was carried out in Karah Island, an island in Bidong Archipelago, from the intertidal, towards the sub-tidal
zone covering the coral and non-coral area to see the trend in the density and composition. A transparent hand core
was used to collect benthos samples. Nematoda and harpacticoid copepods dominated the intertidal and sub-tidal zone
respectively. Harpacticoid copepods were higher in density in the non-coral sediment than the coral area. This could be
due to the high content of silt and clay in the coral area (2.98% of silt and clay). The 2-dimension MDS analysis on the
density data indicated the highest degree of scattering and an over-lapping condition for those intertidal and sub-tidal
samples respectively. ANOSIM result showed that the degree of similarity was lower at the intertidal (70%) than the subtidal
(reaching 90%) in the first sampling before both became no significant different in the second sampling. It could
indicate the stable condition in the subtidal than the intertidal ecosystem. The comparatively low density of meiobenthos
could indicate their response towards the environmental condition in the area which will only be confirmed by long term
ecological study.
Allelopathy is a process in which one plant species may usefully or adversely affect the growth of other plant species
through the production of allelochemicals. During the present investigation, mulch effect of Jatropha curcas leaves was
evaluated on seed germination and seedling growth of maize varieties viz. Pioneer (V1), Azam (V2) and Jalal (V3). Mulch
was applied at 1 and 2 tons/hectare. Phenolic compounds were detected in Jatropha curcas leaf (131.15 mg gallic acid
eq./gm extract). Mulch applied at 2 tons/hectare significantly reduced seed germination (%), germination index, relative
water content, root width and seedling dry weight. From the findings of the present investigation, it was inferred that
Jatropha curcas leaves exhibited phytotoxic effects on maize at high concentrations.
In this article, a fourth order quintic spline method has been developed to obtain numerical solutions for second order
boundary value problems with Dirichlet boundary conditions. The developments of the quintic spline method and
convergence analysis were presented. Three test problems have been considered for comparison purposes. The numerical
results showed that the quintic spline method is more accurate compared to existing cubic spline method when solving
nonlinear second order boundary value problems but vice versa when solving linear second order boundary value
problems.
The aim of this article was to validate an instrument of quality management practices (QMPs) and performance
measurement for the manufacturing industry in Malaysia. QMPs and performance were measured using the following
six value indicators: Management commitment, training, process management, quality tools, continuous improvement
and organisational performance. A total of 480 questionnaires were distributed and 210 questionnaires were valid for
analysis. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) approach was employed using analysis of moment structures (AMOS)
software. The results for the hypothesised CFA model showed the following fit statistics: Comparative fit index (CFI) =
0.924, Tucker Lewis index (TLI) = 0.913 and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.061. The values of
CFI and TLI ≥ 0.9 and at the same time the value of RMSEA ≤ 0.08 showed that CFA model fits the data very well. Hence,
the results of the study can be used by managers in manufacturing companies to consider and adapt their QMPs and
performance assessments toward increasing competitiveness
In this paper, the fully implicit 2-point block backward differentiation formula and diagonally implicit 2-point block
backward differentiation formula were developed under the interpretation of generalized differentiability concept for
solving first order fuzzy differential equations. Some fuzzy initial value problems were tested in order to demonstrate the
performance of the developed methods. The approximated solutions for both methods were in good agreement with the
exact solutions. The numerical results showed that the diagonally implicit method outperforms the fully implicit method
in term of accuracy.
Pemprosesan logam separa pepejal yang juga dikenali sebagai pembentukan-tikso merupakan suatu kaedah pemprosesan
yang secara relatifnya adalah baharu jika dibandingkan dengan kaedah pemprosesan biasa seperti penuangan dan
penempaan. Sebelum pembentukan-tikso dapat dilakukan, aloi berkenaan perlu melalui langkah awal persediaan iaitu
dengan mengubah mikrostruktur asal berbentuk dendritik kepada bentuk hampir sfera. Ini diikuti dengan pemanasan
semula ke julat suhu separa pejal (iaitu sekitar 30-50% cecair) dan seterusnya proses ubah bentuk ke dalam acuan
menggunakan mesin penekanan hidraulik. Antara kaedah utama yang biasa digunakan bagi penyediaan bahan aloi
ini adalah tuangan cerun penyejukan, pengadukan mekanik dan kaedah terma langsung. Kajian ini memberi tumpuan
kepada evolusi mikrostruktur aloi aluminium A333 (Al-7.5Si-3.1Cu) daripada bentuk dendritik kepada hampir sfera
sebagai persediaan untuk diproses melalui pembentukan-tikso kelak. Kaedah tuangan cerun penyejukan digunakan
dalam kajian ini kerana kaedah ini diketahui berkesan tapi mudah digunakan. Nilai saiz ira dan faktor bentuk dianalisis
berdasarkan kepada suhu tuangan dan panjang cerun penyejukan berbeza yang digunakan. Di samping itu, kaedah
kalometri pengimbas perbezaan juga diguna pakai dalam mengenal pasti suhu sempadan pepejal dan sempadan cecair
aloi ini. Saiz ira fasa pepejal α-Al paling kecil dan nilai faktor bentuk terbaik yang diperoleh dalam kajian ini berlaku
pada suhu tuangan 620°C dan panjang cerun 300 mm, iaitu masing-masing pada 15.3 µm dan 0.54.
In this paper, a minibioreactor platform made of low cost polymers is presented. The minibioreactor prototype was designed
as an alternative solution for carrying out microbial fermentation experiments in laboratory. The minibioreactor prototype
has a working volume of 1.5 mL and was fabricated from poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(dimethylsiloxane)
(PDMS) polymers. Cell density was measured online whilst agitation rates and the temperature of the reactor content
can be tightly controlled to desired set-point values. As proof-of-concept, various S. cerevisae fermentation experiments
were conducted. In every experiment, the minibioreactor operated stably for the entire length of operation which was
nearly 40 h with very minimal volume loss i.e. about 2.8 µL·h-1 at 37ºC. The minibioreactor has the maximum oxygen
transfer rate (OTR) of 16.6 mmol·L-1·h-1 under the agitation rate of 300 rpm. Under these conditions, cell specific growth
rate as high as 0.291 h-1 was obtained. The experimental data in the minibioreactor operation was also reproducible
using shake flask where similar growth profiles were attained under a similar growth conditions.
The allelochemical 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP) is one of the natural compounds present in medicinal plants.
This compound has been reported to possess herbicidal properties. However, its effect on weed growth parameters is
unknown for it to be utilized in weed management. Hence, the herbicidal potential of the allelochemical 2,4-DTBP on the
root and leaf tissues of the grassy weed, Leptochloa chinensis (L.) Nees and the broadleaf weed, Hedyotis verticillata
(L.) Lam was investigated. After 2,4-DTBP treatment, both bioassay species had abnormal and much shorter root hairs
compared to those of untreated plants. The roots of H. verticillata were severely damaged with the root nodes turned
brown. The phytotoxic effect of 2,4-DTBP on L. chinensis and H. verticillata became apparent at seven days and 14 days
after treatment with symptoms of lamina wilting and necrosis, respectively. These results demonstrated that 2,4-DTBP
could be used as a natural herbicide for the control of L. chinensis and H. verticillata.
The effects of six pretreatments of five agricultural wastes (corn cob, pineapple waste, bagasse, rice straw and water
hyacinth) on the chemical composition and total reducing sugar yield were investigated. Six pretreatments were: 1% NaOH
with ultrasound for 60 min; 1% NaOH with ultrasound 100% duty; 2% NaOH with ultrasound for 60 min; 2% NaOH
with ultrasound 100% duty cycle; 1% NaOH by standing in the oven at 60°C for 90 min; and 2% NaOH by standing
in the oven at 60°C for 90 min. Among them, the highest cellulose content of 55.15% was obtained from bagasse by
pretreating with 1% NaOH with ultrasound 100% duty cycle. It subsequently yielded the highest total reducing sugar of
36.21% (36.21 g reducing sugar/100 g substrate). The lignin content of all samples significantly decreased, but ultrasonic
pretreatment increased the cellulose content. However, the best pretreatment method for each sample was different. Based
on SEM analysis, the morphologies of all samples were changed after pretreatment. In addition, the increase of enzyme
loading from 250 to 550 CMC U/g biomass led to more than 20% increase in the total reducing sugar. It was found that
the higher enzyme loading (700 CMC U/g dried biomass) did not improve the total reducing sugar for all samples.
The concern on the widespread use of surfactants is increasing worldwide as they can be potential toxicants by polluting
the environment, with the damage formed depending on their exposure and persistence in the ecosystem. This paper
was intended to evaluate the biodegradability of palm-based surfactant, MES, in order to establish their environmental
friendliness. The respirometric method was used to monitor the biodegradation of various homologues of MES over 28
days as described in the OECD 301F Manometric respirometry test method. The results showed all the MES homologues
tested were readily biodegradable with percentage of biodegradation achieved for C12, C14 and C16 MES was 73%
within 6 days, 66% within 8 days and 63% within 16 days, respectively, while linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS)
sample 60% biodegraded within 8 days. From the results, it can be concluded that the longer the carbon chain length, the
lower is the biodegradability of MES as the microorganisms took longer time to degrade a longer chain surfactant. Other
than that, the presence of aromatic structure in LAS may also extend the biodegradation process. The use of palm-based
surfactant, i.e. MES, is more environmental friendly and can be used as an alternative to petroleum-based surfactant to
reduce adverse environmental effects of surfactant on ecosystem.
MeSH terms: Biodegradation, Environmental; Carbon; Petroleum; Surface-Active Agents; Alkanesulfonic Acids; Ecosystem; Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development
There are many treatment options for localized prostate cancer, and there is clinical equipoise in relation to the treatment outcomes. This study aimed to explore doctors’ approaches to decision support in counseling patients with localized prostate cancer in a country with a less established system of support and care delivery for cancer treatment. Four in-depth
interviews and three focus group discussions were conducted with seven government policy makers/consultant urologists, three oncologists, four private urologists and six urology trainees in Malaysia between 2012 and 2013. Doctors facilitated the treatment decision by explaining about the disease and the treatment options, which included monitoring,
side effects and complications of each treatment option. Paper-based (charts and diagram drawings) or electronic (ipad apps and websites) illustrations and physical models were used as patient education aids. Further reading materials and websites links were often provided to patients. Patients were given time till subsequent follow up to decide on the
treatment and family involvement was encouraged. Referral to other healthcare professionals (oncologist, radiotherapist or other urologist) for second opinion was offered to the patients. The doctors would recommend patients to speak to prostate cancer survivors for peer support but official support groups were not easily accessible. This study highlighted
a multi-faceted approach to support patients with localized prostate cancer in making a treatment decision. It not only involved the doctors (urologist or oncologist) themselves, but also empowered the patients and their social network to support the decision making process.
Salmonella typhimurium MMP13 harboring pMMP99, a recombinant plasmid derived by cloning a ghost cassette into
T-vector, were employed for production of ghost cells. Growth of MMP13 (pMMP99) showed an initial increase after a
shift in temperature from 28 to 42°C, and then decreased gradually with ghost formation being complete within 3 h.
Ghost yield of MMP13 (pMMP99) were 99.99% less than 104 CFU/mL. MMP13 (pMMP101-1) showed a ghost yield similar
to MMP13 (pMMP99). Immune responses of BALB/c mice against ghost cells originated from MMP13 (pMMP101-1) were
assessed by measuring total IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and secretory IgA levels in each sample. Levels of total IgG, IgG1 and
IgG2a and vaginal IgA, increased abruptly after 4 weeks post vaccination, whereas the fecal IgA level did not induce
significant change. Splenocyte proliferation was observed at the cellular level owing to stimulation of ghost cells. Ghost
vaccination protected 25-59% of mice against wild-type S. typhimurium more than those of controls.
Little is known about the diversity and roles of microbial communities in the South China Sea, especially the eastern
region. This study aimed to expand our knowledge on the diversity of these communities in Malaysian waters, as well as
their potential involvement in the breakdown or osmoregulation of dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP). Water samples
were collected during local cruises (Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, and Semporna) from the SHIVA expedition and the diversity
of bacterial communities were analysed through the isolation and identification of 176 strains of cultured bacteria. The
bacteria were further screened for the existence of two key genes (dmdA, dddP) which were involved in competing,
enzymatically-mediated DMSP degradation pathways. The composition of bacterial communities in the three areas varied
and changes were mirrored in physico-chemical parameters. Riverine input was highest in Kuching, which was mirrored
by dominance of potentially pathogenic Vibrio sp., whereas the Kota Kinabalu community was more indicative of an
open ocean environment. Isolates obtained from Kota Kinabalu and Semporna showed that the communities in these
areas have potential roles in bioremediation, nitrogen fixing and sulphate reduction. Bacteria isolated from Kuching
displayed the highest abundance (44%) of both DMSP-degrading genes, while the bacterial community in Kota Kinabalu
had the highest percentage (28%) of dmdA gene occurrence and the dddP gene responsible for DMS production was
most abundant (33%) within the community in Semporna. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study looking at
the diversity of culturable bacteria in coastal waters of East Malaysia and also their potential roles in the DMS(P) cycle.
Antibiotic resistant bacterial population is a great threat for human as well as for other domestic animals. Unscientific
use of antibiotics in clinical sectors create a selective pressure on bacteria that make bacteria resistant to a wide range
of drugs. The current finding demonstrated the isolation and characterization of multi antibiotics resistant bacterial
species from oil contaminated soil and its lateral gene transfer efficiency at different temperature. Among six bacterial
isolates, the strain OD1 showed highest antibiotic resistant capacity was selected for further studies. Morphological,
biochemical and 16S rDNA sequence analysis confirmed the bacterial strains as Alcaligenes faecalis strain OD1. It was
recorded that antibiotics resistant gene transfer was highly dependent on temperature and showed maximum transfer
efficiency at 25°C (9.6 ×10-6).
The threatened indigenous small fish, Mystus vittatus (Bloch 1794) is a commercially important fish of Bangladesh.
The present study describes the fecundity and its relationships with some of the morphometrics and condition factors
(Fulton’s, KF; Relative weight, WR) of M. vittatus. A total of 50 matured female M. vittatus were collected using the cast
net from the Padma River during May-July, 2012. Total fecundity (FT
) of each female was calculated as the number
of oocytes found in each ovary, whereas relative fecundity (FR) was the number of oocytes per gram of fish weight.
The total length (TL) ranged from 8.21 to 12.36 cm (10.60±1.08 cm) and the body weight (BW) varied between 6.0 and
21.65 g (14.08±4.15 g). The FT
ranged from 3256 to 22549 with a mean value of 13064.50±4920 while the FR ranged
from 472 to 1648 oocytes per gram of female, with a mean of 929±245. Significant and strong relationships were found
between FT vs. TL (r
2 = 0.63; p<0.001), FT vs. BW (r2 = 0.61; p<0.001), FT vs. OW (r
2 = 0.89; p<0.001) and FT vs. GSI (rs =
0.67; p<0.001), but insignificant relationships were recorded for FT vs. KF (rs = 0.11; p = 0.452), FT vs.WR (rs
= 0.001;
p = 0.997). The information provided in this study will help initiating sustainable management and conservation of the
threatened M. vittatus in the region.
Cobia Rachycentron canadum, is one of the emerging aquaculture species but is usually a non-target resource in fisheries
industry and within Malaysia, their landings are among the highest worldwide. Identification of stocks with unique
morphological characters is important for effective management and sustainable utilization. Morphometric variations
among three different cobia populations from Kedah, Terengganu and Johor were studied. All the morphometric
characteristics varied among the three populations as all the elements of the first Eigen vector were positive. Discriminant
analysis suggested that head depth (HD) and maximum body depth, (MaxD) were the most varied among the populations.
Cobia populations from Kedah and Johor were in a single cluster in the dendrogram with a 63.69% similarity while
Terengganu was in another cluster with a similarity of 8.01% from Kedah and Johor. The differences in the observed
morphometry may be resulted from different trophic activities and/or habitat productiveness explored by each of the
populations
A total of 9 species of Indigofera have been identified on the Islands of Java and Madura. Only one species has been
utilized by batik makers and weavers as a natural dye, while the other 8 species are of unknown potential as natural
dyes. This study seeks to demonstrate the correlation between morphological characteristics and the level and quality of
indicant compound, in order to assist batik producers and weavers in determining the species that can be used as dyestuff.
The potential blue colour dyestuff yield of Indigofera was determined by leaf immersion, followed by quantitative and
qualitative examination of the indicant present. Morphological characteristics were then analysed to identify those that
correlated with the presence of indicant. The indicant differences were analysed using SPSS; the relationship between the
characteristics was analyzed by Pearson correlation and logistic regression. Four species, namely I. tinctoria, I. arrecta, I.
suffruticosa and I. longiracemosa contained indigo. The colour produced by indigo dye obtained from these four species
of Indigofera had a ‘4–5’ value of colour change and colour staining in tests involving washing, sweat, bright light and
heat stress. This value meets the ‘good quality’ standard of the Indonesian National Standards (SNI). I. suffruticosa has
the highest indicant content at 1.4 g/kg, followed by I. tinctoria, I. arrecta, and I. longiracemosa with 0.414, 0.13, and
0.038 g/kg, respectively. The colour of upper and lower dried foliages were correlated to potential indigo dye producers.
he deficiency of oxygen in water during submergence is one of the frequently perceived environmental factors that limits
or hampers production of the rice cultivation. Rice plants comprise of elongated submerged tissues that help to bear with
the rise of water level in natural location. This characteristic helps the plant to deal with flooding stress. The mechanism
on flooding tolerance and adaptation mostly includes the physiological changes, one of which is the shortened growth
of elongation towards keeping the carbohydrates and energy for production of the antioxidant regulations in rice plants.
Furthermore, molecular studies and gene cloning might help suggest a better understanding of means and adaptations
built-up by rice plants in order to stay alive and to remain active during flooding stress, might help to focus on some
novel approaches to the up gradation as well as improvement on the natural cultivation of rice plants.
Marudu Bay, north coast of Sabah is characterized with mesotrophic water body and typical environmental parameters
throughout the year. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of environmental parameters and nutrients
in mesotrophic water on the occurrence and distribution of potentially harmful phytoplankton species. The samplings
were conducted over a period of thirteen months, covering southwest monsoon (SWM), inter-monsoon (IM), and northeast
monsoon (NEM), at ten stations throughout the bay. Physical parameters (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen,
current speed and secchi depth), biological parameters (cell densities of phytoplankton) and chemical parameters
(phosphate, nitrate, silicate and ammonia) were examined. The results indicated at least eight potentially harmful
phytoplankton species (Dinophysis caudata, D. miles, Ceratium furca, C. fursus, Prorocentrum micans, P. sigmoides, P.
triestinum and Pseudo-nitzschia sp.) were detected in north coast of Sabah. However, the potentially harmful phytoplankton
species contributed only about 1.3% of the total phytoplankton community. Under nutrient deprivation conditions, the
potentially harmful phytoplankton species distribution was mainly influenced by the ability to utilize other nitrogen
sources, cell mobility and toleration to low nutrients environments.