Heuristic Evaluation (HE) is used as a basis in developing a new technique to evaluate usability or
educational computer games known as Playability Heuristic Evaluation for Educational Computer Game (PHEG). PHEG was developed to identify usability problems that accommodate five heuristics, namely, interface, educational elements, content, playability and multimedia. In HE process, usability problems are rated based on severity score and this is followed by presentation of a mean value. The mean value is used to determine the level of usability problems; however, in some cases, this value may not accurate because it will ignore the most critical problems found in a specific part. In developing PHEG, a new quantitative approach was proposed in analyzing usability problems data. Numbers of sub-heuristics for each heuristic involved were taken into account in calculating percentage for each heuristic. Functions to calculate critical problems were also introduced. Evaluation for one educational game that was still in development process was conducted and the results showed that most of the critical problems were found in educational elements and content heuristics (57.14%), while the least usability problems were found in playability heuristic. In particular, the mean value in this analysis can be used as an indicator in identifying critical problems for educational computer games.
Nur Humaira’ Lau Abdullah, Zal U’yun Wan Mahmood, Norfaizal Mohamed @ Muhamad, Nazaratul Ashifa Abdullah Salim, Ahmad Nazrul Abd Wahid, Nor Dalila Desa, et al.
A glasshouse experiment was performed to evaluate the uptake of grasses viz. Napier and Vetiver
in radiophytoremediation of caesium-contaminated soil. The radiophytoremediation experiment
was designed according to the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The grasses were
grown in troughs filled with soil mixed with a known specific activity of 134Cs. Initial Cs activity and
activity after different cultivation time intervals of 1, 3, 6 and 9 months were analyzed using gamma
spectrometer direct measurement. The results showed the uptake of caesium by Napier and Vetiver
after 9 months with the transfer factors (TF) were 4.70 and 6.25, respectively. The remediation of
caesium from the contaminated soil during the study period was 98.08% for Napier and 98.21% for
Vetiver. Both grasses have been found to accumulate caesium, with Vetiver accumulating higher
than Napier. Thus, the present study suggests that Vetiver could be used as a potential plant for
radiophytoremediation of caesium.
The central coast of Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, along with other regions, was severely hit by the tsunami on 26 December 2004. A strange spawning behaviour of the Indian horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus gigas, Müller) was observed after the tsunami disturbance. Along the northeast coast of India, the horseshoe crabs normally migrate towards the shore in large numbers coinciding with the tidal height and grain size of the sediment and spawn in nests made in sand. The spawning behaviour was normal until November 2004 and throughout that period about 35 to 45 nests in 200 m2 of area of the breeding beach were examined. However, no nesting was observed from December 2004 to March 2005, i.e. after the occurrence of tsunami. The number of nests per 200 m2 of area (~82) and the number of eggs per nest (750-1000 eggs) were increased considerably when the normal conditions were restored in April 2005. The absence of spawning migration, from December 2004 to March 2005, is totally an unusual behaviour and this happened for the first time during the past several years of the study period.
Objective: This case report highlights on the challenges in the management of people with bipolar disorder. Method: We report a case of 36 year-old lady living with this disorder and her journey in a search for a meaningful life. Result: Adherence to treatment is a major determinant of outcome in bipolar patient like Ms WMY. Poor insight, negative attitudes towards treatment and poor understanding of medications and the illness can all lead to reduced adherence. Conclusion: This case demonstrates on how poverty of insight, poor social support, on-going stressors with significant life events and poor compliance to treatment create a series of stumbling blocks in recovery from bipolar disorder.
Pineapple (Ananas comosus), Bromeliaceae family, is a fruit grows in tropical countries including Malaysia. This fruit has several pharmacological benefits due to the presence of high concentration of bromelain (cysteine proteases). Condition of elevated temperature will induce deformation of enzyme and result in loss of activity. Sulfhydryl groups in cysteine proteases are readily to be oxidized and might account for the denaturation of bromelain at elevated temperature. Polyphenol from ethanolic cashew leave extract could be complexed with bromelain to stabilize the enzymatic activity. In thermal stability test, the heat damage effect on bromelain was ten times reduced after complexing with cashew extract. The enzymatic activity of free bromelain decreased gradually from 25 o C to 95 o C. Complexed bromelain was stable in activity to heating up to 85 o C. Bromelainpolyphenol complex showed a good heat resistance. The result revealed that polyphenol could protect bromelain in pineapple juice from heat denaturation.
To describe a quick and simple diagnostic approach to monocular diplopia. Diplopia is a common visual complain in casualty departments, general practice clinics, neurologic clinics as well as ophthalmic clinics. Monocular diplopia, however, is uncommon. Many well established clinical examination methods are available to address diplopia. Some require special equipments which are not easily available or unfamiliar outside of ophthalmic clinic. We describe a simple two-minute diagnostic approach to monocular diplopia. Basic knowledge and understanding of simple clinical examination techniques enhances diagnostic skill and allow proper localization of underlying disorders.
Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Female Orgasmic Dysfunction (FOD) focusing on the orgasm domain among female patients attending PPUKM Psychiatric clinic. To compare the prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction between female patients on Escitalopram and on Fluoxetine therapy.
Methods: A validated questionnaire for sexual function was used to assess orgasmic function. A total of 112 women aged between 24 and 57 participated in this study. The orgasmic dysfunction was compared between patients on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) fluoxetine and escitalopram.
Results: The prevalence of female orgasmic dysfunction was 58.9% (33/56) among patients treated with Fluoxetine and 41.1% (23/56) among patients treated with Escitalopram. However, there was no statistically significant difference between these two treatment groups (p=0.059). The odds to have FOD among patients on higher dose of antidepressants was found to be higher compared to those patients who were on lower dose of antidepressants (Odds ratio 5.32, p= 0.001).
Conclusion: There was no significant difference of Female Orgasmic Dysfunction between patients on Fluoxetine and Escitalopram.
Study site: Psychiatric clinics, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
There has been a significant increase in research on probiotics-associated health benefits in the last 20 years. Many studies carried out in vitro and clinically show that consumption of probiotics inhibits the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, the consumption of probiotics also enhances the host immune response and decreases the levels of carcinogenesis-inducing enzymes. These positive outcomes have led to the use of probiotics in prevention and treatment of infectious diseases like bacterial or antibiotic associated diarrhea, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and colon cancer. This review summarises literature pertaining to mechanistic actions of probiotics in improving the well-being of hosts.
The presence of airflow during heating process is expected to increase heat uniformity in a closed heating chamber. Circulation of hot air increases the percentage of convective heat transfer. In this study effects of airflow on oven temperature, cake temperature and several cake qualities were investigated. Experimental studies were conducted in convective oven using two different baking modes; with and without airflow. During baking, oven temperatures and internal cake temperature were measured, and images of cake expansion were captured. Results of the study showed that the presence of airflow could maintain the oven temperature within a small range of set point temperature. Temperature in the oven exhibited ±5.5°C fluctuation, approximately 3.5% overshoot that occurred continuously during baking with airflow. On the contrary, higher overshoot (ranging from 15 to 30%) was observed in oven temperature without airflow. Airflow also showed a significant effect (p
Helopeltis antonii is the major pest affecting cashew plants in Indonesia and causes potential damage to the plant. The development of the population was influenced by the fecundity and fertility of their eggs. The effect of mating on the eggs’ fecundity and the fertility of H. antonii was studied. Laboratory studies at Wonogiri Estate Service in Ngadirojo District, Wonogiri, Indonesia investigated the sexual maturity, the influence of female to male sex ratio on the females’ fecundity and longevity, and the influence of mating frequency to fecundity and the eggs hatchability of H. antonii. The study reveals that H. antonii females and males are ready to mate when they are two days old. The number of eggs laid and the longevity of the females’ lives were not significantly affected by the sex ratio; however, female to male sex ratios of 2:1 and 1:2 tended to produce a greater number of eggs. The fecundity of the female was not significantly influenced by the number of times the female mated. Unmated females laid fewer eggs than females paired with a mature male. The study shows that females need to mate to produce fertile eggs.
At present, research in composite materials is being directed at using natural fibres instead of synthetic fibres. Kenaf which is extensively grown in the Far East including Malaysia, has been identified as a bast (stem) fibre with significant market potential. In this work, long and random kenaf fibres (non-woven mat form) were used in the as-received condition and alkalized with a 0.06M NaOH solution. They were combined with polypropylene thin sheets, sandwiched between layers of kenaf fibres and hot-pressed to form natural fibre composites. The mechanical properties of the composites were investigated to observe the effect of fibre alignment, fibre treatment and pre-irradiation method used. A general trend was observed whereby alkalized and long fibre composites gave higher flexural modulus and flexural strength compared with random mat and untreated fibres. The long fibre composites also gave a higher work of fracture. However, the correlation between fibre surface treatment and the work of fracture was less clear. Pre-irradiation on the polypropylene pellets and fibres before the composite is manufactured showed significant improvement on the flexural modulus and flexural strength. The bond performance test performed on the treated composites demonstrated good bonding and interfacial adhesion between the fibre and matrix. However, the method of moulding used need to be improved to optimize the performance of the composites.
Compartmented Fluidized Bed Gasifier (CFBG), consisting of two compartments - the combustorand gasifier, uses air blown instead of pure oxygen for syngas production in bubbling fluidization mode, eliminating the need of air separation unit, and reducing the capital cost, thus distinguishes it from other traditional ones. Fluidization quality is a determining factor in the CFBG to guarantee its well-lifted behaviour. Previous study, without solid circulation at ambient conditions, brought to the fore the necessity of considering the effect of the minimum allowable effective diameter. The study was then performed in the CFBG cold physical model of 0.66m overall diameter (effective diameter for combustor and gasifier is 0.413m and 0.257m) to investigate the fluidization quality and compare it with the results obtained from the previous cold model of about 1.36 times smaller, but with the same compartmented ratio of 65:35. Different inert particles (river sand, quartz sand and alumina) were used, over a range of aspect ratios, for the aforementioned objective. The results showed that the fluidization quality in the gasifier has not been achieved and the degradation of fluidization quality in the combustor is still observed, notwithstanding the fact that the condition of the minimum allowable effective diameter has been met. The reduction of distributor free area, to increase the distributor pressure drop, showed a marginal effect on the quality. The effect of the minimum allowable effective diameter on fluidization quality in CFBG as well as the interplay of geometric and operational parameters require further studies be carried out. The fluidization quality of the binary mixture is also currently under investigation.
This study evaluated lipid oxidation in refrigerated (±4ºC) duck meatballs treated with novel antioxidants over 21 days of storage. The duck meatballs were treated with a control substance, Cosmos caudatus (ulam raja) or Polygonum minus (kesum) extract, or BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), and data was collected every three days. These results showed that Cosmos caudatus and Polygonum minus had better antioxidant effects on duck meatballs than BHT or the control. Folding and microbial potency test results were not significantly different among the three antioxidants tested but were better in antioxidant-treated samples than in control samples. However, Cosmos caudatus and Polygonum minus were slightly more effective in preventing microbial growth. This result suggests that Cosmos caudatus and Polygonum minus may be potentially useful natural resources for enhancing the shelf life of duck meatballs.
Texture evolution of NiO formed during oxidation of polycrystalline single oriented (100) Ni-Cr was investigated. This foil was also termed rolling assisted biaxially textured substrate (RABiTS). X-ray diffractograms of oxidized Ni-Cr RABiTS foil showed the existence of mostly (200) NiO indicating (100)-type NiO formed exclusively on (100) singly oriented Ni-Cr grains. Epitaxial relationship between the two layers is observed. However the dual-in-plane texture was recorded.
The in-plane texture was assessed by conducting phi scan and plotting series of pole figures measured at (111) NiO peak. The mechanism of the oxides formation was proposed to take into account the formation of (100)-type NiO. Cross section morphology of the oxidised foils reveals two oxidation layers; fast growing external layer consisting of the (100)-type NiO and an internal layer consisted of mostly Cr2O3 and maybe NiCr2O4. The thickness of NiO was ~ 10Pm. Cr2O3 formed as needle-like oxides embedded in a matrix of Ni foil. Inward diffusion of oxygen is believed to have caused this to happen. The external NiO layer was consisted of duplex microstructure characterised by columnar layer growing vertical on the surface of the metal and a few micron thick of equiaxed NiO. Delamination of the outer NiO layer often occurred at the columnarequiaxed interface which could be cured by CeO2 deposition on the foil prior to the oxidation process. CeO2 was deposited by conversion immersion using Ce(NO3)3.6H2O solution. (200) NiO formed on this coated sample as well.
This study was performed to enumerate the total viable cell count of probiotic in five brands (A to E) of commercially cultured milk drinks that are available in the Malaysian market as well as to test their tolerance to various pH and bile concentrations by simulating the human gastrointestinal pH and bile concentration. The acid tolerance test was studied under pH 1.5 and 3.0 with 7.2 as control. The cell count for the acid tolerance test was obtained at an interval of 0, 1.5 and 3 hours respectively and was plated onto duplicate MRS agars to be incubated at 37°C for 48 hours. All cells recovered after 3 hours of pH treatment were selected for bile tolerance test in MRS broth containing bile concentrations of 0% (control), 0.3% and 2.0% and cell counts were recorded after 24 hours of incubation. The probiotic strains in products A, B, C & D met the suggested initial count of 106 CFU/ml with brand C recording the highest at 9.19 ± 0.14 log CFU/ml. Strains in product A, B & C showed good tolerance to pH 3.0 and 7.2 recording a count of >106 CFU/ml after 3 hours with a range of 6.60 – 9.04 log CFU/ml. The higher bile concentrations resulted in lower growth of strains in all the brands. Upon pH 1.5 treatment, only brand C recorded growth in all bile concentrations. After pH 3.0 treatment, all brands except brand E met the requirement of survival at 0.3% bile concentration. Results showed probiotics in product A, B & C met the initial count requirement, and exhibited good acid and bile tolerance therefore being a potentially good source of probiotic.
There are many essential and non-essential elements including metals and radionuclides present in vegetables. Howeve r, the accumulation of the several metals and radionuclides might cause the contamination to vegetables itself. Green m ustard (Brasissca rapa var. Parachinesis L.) was selected to represent the vegetable in this study. Objectives of this stud y are to determine the concentration of metals and radionuclides in the samples and to calculate the enrichment factor ( EF) and also to estimate the uptake, base on biological accumulation coefficient (BAC), for the various parts of selecte d vegetables. Three farmlands in the Cameron Highlands were studied namely Bharat, Kg Raja and Bertam area. The g reen mustard and soil samples were collected during the harvest season. Samples were dried, ground and sieved prior t o analysis. Analyses for both samples were done by using X-rays Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) to measure the conc entration of Fe, Zn, Hg, U and Th. The concentration of all elements in the soils is lower than their concentration in the control soil, except for Zn, U and Th. The concentration of all elements in Green Mustard is lower than their concentrat ion in the soil where it was grown. The EF values in the Brasissca rapa var. Parachinesis L are lower than 2 except for U and Th, indicating some degree of contamination due to anthropogenic activities or naturally origin. The BAC values show that Zn and Hg were accumulated in the green mustard, depending on where the plant grows.
We put attention on Intrinsic Josephson Junction (IJJ) to study the fundamental physic for device applications. Convenient self-flux method was used to grow BSCCO single crystals. We investigated the lid effect to examine the single crystal growth of high TC (Critical Temperature). We found that for the crystal growth with no lid, two stage transitions of TC ≅ 61 K and 77 K were observed. While for the crystal growth with lid, the BSCCO has TC ≅ 80K, ΔTC = 10K and approximately average size5x2mm 2 . When we increased weight of lid, the single crystal have increased to TC =80K, ΔTC = 4K and the typical size was ≅7x3mm 2 . TC and the crystal growth show a tendency to increase by the effect of the lid. From observed quasi-particle characteristics, c-axis direction changed from semiconductor to intrinsic Josephson characteristic with decreasing temperature.
The objective of this research is recovery of squalene from palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The extraction process was performed by using the SFE and recovered squalene was analyzed from total lipid extracts using HPLC. A central composite design was used to study the effect of SFE variables namely pressure (X₁) from 200 to 400 bar and temperature (X₂) from 40 to 60⁰C on the total lipid extracts (Y₁) and squalene concentration (Y₂) and optimize the SFE conditions. The nonlinear regression equations were significantly (p < 0.05) fitted for both responses with high R₂ (> 0.965), which had no indication of lack of fit. The results indicated that a combined pressure (200 bar) and temperature (50⁰C) was predicted to provide the optimum region in terms of total lipid extracts (13.84 ± 0.52%) and squalene concentration (418.31 ± 18.40 ppm) studied.
Malaysia has adopted various strategies in developing its space sector. Indigenous space technologies would enable a sustainable growth of the space field and at the same time develop the strategic space technologies. Therefore, issues related to the current space research level are fundamentally crucial to be highlighted. Subsequently, the space focus areas can be derived in order to meet the expectations of the national and international space technology growth requirements, which are moving on to a stronger posture in R&D. In the absence of a strong R&D national space industry leadership, the Malaysian space sector remains in a traditional downstream mode of the world space technology supply chain ever since. The space technology supply chain can be divided into the ground segment and the space segment. This paper examines the current space research activities in Malaysia within the framework of the space technology supply chain. As a result, a preliminary gap in the overview of space research in Malaysia is established.