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Fulltext Conspectus of flora, fauna and micro-climate data in Tasik Kenyir from Mac 2015-February 2016

Afiq Ramlee MN, Hussin MF, Roslan A, Rosmidi FH, Pesiu E, Aisyah A Rahim N, et al.

Data Brief, 2020 Apr;29:105328.
PMID: 32181296 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105328

This data article presents the diversity of flora and selected fauna in Tasik Kenyir, Malaysia. This man-made lake once suffered huge loss of biodiversity for allowing an earth-dam construction during 1980s. Series of publications on different types of target taxa have been published separately after the post-dam construction. A biodiversity assessment was conducted in Tasik Kenyir from March 2015 until February 2016. The one year assessment were compiled with the previous published data to document and updated the biodiversity checklist in the lake. The data show that Tasik Kenyir is occupied by 113 tree species, 217 butterfly species, 35 bee species, 26 reptile species, 267 aves species and 153 mammal species. The micro-climate data was downloaded from the Malaysian Meteorological Department and analysed in R Studio to highlight the relationship between climate data and biodiversity data.
Data on diet and growth by giant panda in zoo Negara, Malaysia

Yung DTC, Jani R, Azizi R, Ramli MN, Haidi Y, Zainudin AN, et al.

Data Brief, 2020 Apr;29:105082.
PMID: 31993462 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.105082

In this data article we present the determinations of the diet preference and growth of a pair of the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca (David, 1869) from Zoo Negara Malaysia. Once considered as endangered, the captive giant pandas were given with nine species of local bamboo in separate indoor enclosures. We recorded data between May 25, 2014 and December 31, 2016 and analysed it based on food preference, the pattern toward food consumption and body weights using SPSS v25.0 (IBM, USA). Data on the bamboo preference, daily average bamboo provided and consumed, and factors predicting of body weight per individual are reported in this article. The data highlight correlation between panda growth (kg) to the part of bamboo consumed (kg) and exhibit the pattern of preferred part of food (i.e.: either the leaf, culm or shoots of bamboo variety) for panda consumptions. The food consumption toward the body weight was modelled using logistic regression analysis to help determine the pattern of food consumption and body weight of giant panda in the future and based on regression model 1, only consumed variable is significance to the model.
Fulltext Dataset on specific UV absorbances (SUVA254) at stretch components of Perak River basin

Abd Manan TSB, Khan T, Wan Mohtar WHM, Beddu S, Mohd Kamal NL, Yavari S, et al.

Data Brief, 2020 Jun;30:105518.
PMID: 32382595 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105518

Perak River basin is in Perak state of Peninsular Malaysia. In this research, the river stretch serves as water intake for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes in Perak Tengah, Hilir Perak and Manjung regions. It is located in mixed use area whilst exposing the river to anthropogenic elements. The sampling locations were conducted at selected points of Perak River namely Tanjung Belanja Bridge (TBB), Water Treatment Plant Parit (WTPP), Parit Town discharge (PTD), Water Treatment Plant Senin (WTPS) and Water Treatment Plant Kepayang (WTPK). The existence of aromatic hydrocarbons in freshwater samples was pre-assessed via qualification analysis; specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA254) method at 254 nm of wavelength. The SUVA dataset were 48.38 L/mg-m (TBB), 50.54 L/mg-m (WTPP), 8.05 L/mg-m (PTD), 85.75 L/mg-m (WTPS) and 217.39 L/mg-m (WTPK). The SUVA254 values of fresh water at the river basin have exceeded the water quality standards value equivalent to 2.0 L/mg-m permitted by the Environmental Protection Agency of United States. The exceeding values were an indication of a large portion of aromatic compounds in the water. Qualification analyses evident the existence of water pollutants at treacherous concentrations for public health in freshwater samples of Perak River basin. Thus, this research has presented important findings towards further research and countermeasure for a better alternative of water treatment in Malaysia.
Fulltext Bats data from fragmented forests in Terengganu State, Malaysia

Zakaria N, Tarmizi AA, Zuki MAM, Ahmad AB, Mamat MA, Abdullah MT

Data Brief, 2020 Jun;30:105567.
PMID: 32382599 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105567

This data article is about bats observed from fragmented forest understories interspaced by agricultural plantations, utility corridors, and man-made structures within rural areas of Setiu (Bukit Kesing Forest Reserve and Ladang Tayor TDM) and Hulu Terengganu (Pengkalan Utama and Sungai Buweh, Kenyir) that are situated in Terengganu state, Peninsular Malaysia. Surveys were conducted from October 2018 until January 2019. These bats were captured using harp traps and mist nets that were set 30 m apart across flyways, streams, rivers and less cluttered trees in the 50 m transect zones (identified at each site). All animals captured were distinguished by morphology and released at the same location it was caught. The data comprise of 15 species of bats from four family groups, namely Hipposideridae, Pteropodidae, Rhinolophidae and Vespertilionidae. The data were interpreted into weight-forearm length (W-FA) to inform about bats Body Condition Index (-0.25 to 0.25).
Fulltext Data on ectoparasites infestation on small mammals from different habitats in east-coast Peninsular Malaysia

Ahmad NII, Rahim NAA, Roslan A, Adrus M, Ahamad M, Hassan M, et al.

Data Brief, 2020 Jun;30:105621.
PMID: 32395585 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105621

This data article presents on the ectoparasites infestation on small mammals in Peninsular Malaysia. The dataset on ectoparasites infestation is important because it raises a major medical concern regarding the spread of potentially zoonotic disease from wildlife to human. Tick and chigger are the primary ectoparasites as reservoirs of vector-borne diseases found on small mammals in Malaysia. These small mammals that are infested with ectoparasites occupy various types of habitats, including human settlements, could be of community health risks as the carriers of potentially zoonotic diseases. Field samplings were conducted from February 2015 to February 2016 in three different ecological habitats of mixed dipterocarp forest, coastal forest and insular forest, in Terengganu, Malaysia. A total of 35 and 22 species of bats and rodents respectively were captured and examined for ectoparasites. Twenty-three species of bats and 16 species of small mammal were recorded as hosts for at least one species of ectoparasites. These findings show that the highest ectoparasite infestation occurred on bat community.
Population data for 23 Y chromosome STR loci using the Powerplex® Y23 STR kit for the Kedayan population in Malaysia

Hakim HM, Khan HO, Ismail SA, Lalung J, Kofi AE, Nelson BR, et al.

Int J Legal Med, 2020 Jul;134(4):1335-1337.
PMID: 31897667 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-019-02237-4

Genetic polymorphisms at 23 Y chromosome short tandem repeat (STRs) loci included in the Powerplex® Y23 PCR kit were successfully scored in 128 unrelated Kedayan individuals living in Sabah, East Malaysia. Complete haplotypes were recorded for all individuals and included 92 different types with 72 being unique to single male subjects. Three important forensic statistics were calculated from these data; haplotype diversity = 0.993, discriminating capacity = 0.719, and match probability = 0.015. The Kedayan appear to be most closely related to Malays and Filipinos in a multidimensional scaling plot and are separated from other mainland Asia populations including Thais and Hakka Han. These new data for Kedayan have been deposited in the YHRD database (accession number: YA004621). Our statistical analyses showed the reliability of Y-STR loci for geographically extended use in forensic casework and for studying human population history.
Fulltext Dataset of computed N-value and factual N-value traced for Soil Subsurface Profiling

Jusoh H, Sabariah Binti Abd Manan T, Beddu S, Osman SBS, Jusoh MNH, Mohtar WHMW, et al.

Data Brief, 2020 Aug;31:105868.
PMID: 32637485 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105868

Soil requires load bearing impact assessment for stability. Therefore, this study aims to utilize the multi-channel analysis surface wave (MASW) for soil subsurface investigation and profiling around Peninsular Malaysia. The standard penetration test (SPT) was conducted for comparison between factual N-value and computed N-value from shear wave velocity (Vs ) obtained from MASW using the Imai and Tonouchi equation. The correlation coefficient (R) and coefficient of determination, (R2 ), showed strong relationship between factual N-value and computed N-value. The model of Vs and factual N-value data distribution is non-normal but the analyzed relationship shows a significant level of p-value < 0.05. The R2 for each location of Vs -N-value relationship are ranging from 0.5 to 0.9.
Fulltext Dataset on leaching properties of coal ashes from Malaysian coal power plant

Beddu S, Abd Manan TSB, Zainoodin MM, Khan T, Wan Mohtar WHM, Nurika O, et al.

Data Brief, 2020 Aug;31:105843.
PMID: 32596432 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105843

Coal combustion by-products (CCPs) (i.e. fly (FA) and bottom (BA) ashes) generated by power plants contain heavy metals. This research presents leaching properties of coal ashes (FA and BA) collected from Jimah coal-fired power station, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan using USEPA standard methods namely toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP), and synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP). Heavy metals like lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and arsenic (As) were quantified using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). The leached of heavy metals fluxes were Cu < Zn < Pb < As. As leached the most whilst indicating of possible contamination from As. Overall, the ranges of leached concentration were adhered to permissible limits of hazardous waste criteria for metal (Pb and As) and industrial effluent (Zn and Cu). The presented data has potential reuse as reference for the coal ash concrete mixed design application in construction industries.
Fulltext Dataset on 21 autosomal and two sex determining short tandem repeat loci in the Kedayan population in Borneo, Malaysia

Hakim HM, Khan HO, Ismail SA, Lalung J, Kofi AE, Abdullah MT, et al.

Data Brief, 2020 Aug;31:105909.
PMID: 32642519 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105909

This data article provides population frequencies for 21 autosomal and two sex determining short tandem repeat (STR) loci in unrelated Kedayan individuals. This article is related to the research paper entitled "Forensic parameters and ancestral fraction in the Kedayan population inferred using 21 autosomal STR loci" [1] where these same data were subjected to ancestry and forensic analyses. We have collected 200 blood samples consisting of 128 male and 72 female volunteer representatives from Kedayan people residing in various parts of Borneo. All 23 STR loci were simultaneously amplified using Globalfiler™ Express PCR and amplicons were separated using an ABI 3500xl Genetic Analyzer. The STR allele calls at each locus were called using GeneMapperⓇ ID-X Software v1.4, while several algorithms in Arlequin software version 3.5 were used to estimate Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) and linkage disequilibrium (LD) between pairs of STR loci.
Fulltext New Insights on the Evolution of the Sweet Taste Receptor of Primates Adapted to Harsh Environments

Tamrin NAM, Zainudin R, Esa Y, Alias H, Isa MNM, Croft L, et al.

Animals (Basel), 2020 Dec 10;10(12).
PMID: 33321745 DOI: 10.3390/ani10122359

Taste perception is an essential function that provides valuable dietary and sensory information, which is crucial for the survival of animals. Studies into the evolution of the sweet taste receptor gene (TAS1R2) are scarce, especially for Bornean endemic primates such as Nasalis larvatus (proboscis monkey), Pongo pygmaeus (Bornean orangutan), and Hylobates muelleri (Muller's Bornean gibbon). Primates are the perfect taxa to study as they are diverse dietary feeders, comprising specialist folivores, frugivores, gummivores, herbivores, and omnivores. We constructed phylogenetic trees of the TAS1R2 gene for 20 species of anthropoid primates using four different methods (neighbor-joining, maximum parsimony, maximum-likelihood, and Bayesian) and also established the time divergence of the phylogeny. The phylogeny successfully separated the primates into their taxonomic groups as well as by their dietary preferences. Of note, the reviewed time of divergence estimation for the primate speciation pattern in this study was more recent than the previously published estimates. It is believed that this difference may be due to environmental changes, such as food scarcity and climate change, during the late Miocene epoch, which forced primates to change their dietary preferences. These findings provide a starting point for further investigation.
Fulltext Evolutionary pattern of Macaca fascicularis in Southeast Asia inferred using Y-chromosomal gene

Rovie-Ryan JJ, Khan FAA, Abdullah MT

BMC Ecol Evol, 2021 02 15;21(1):26.
PMID: 33588750 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-021-01757-1

BACKGROUND: We analyzed a combined segment (2032-bp) of the sex-determining region and the testis-specific protein of the Y-chromosome (Y-DNA) gene to clarify the gene flow and phylogenetic relationships of the long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Southeast Asia. Phylogenetic relationships were constructed using the maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, and the median-joining network from a total of 164 adult male M. fascicularis from 62 localities in Malaysia, including sequences from the other regions from previous studies.
RESULTS: Based on Y-DNA, we confirm the presence of two lineages of M. fascicularis: the Indochinese and Sundaic lineages. The Indochinese lineage is represented by M. fascicularis located northwards of the Surat Thani-Krabi depression region and is introgressed by the Macaca mulatta Y-DNA. The Sundaic lineage is free from such hybridization event, thus defined as the original carrier of the M. fascicularis Y-DNA. We further revealed that the Sundaic lineage differentiated into two forms: the insular and the continental forms. The insular form, which represents the ancestral form of M. fascicularis, consists of two haplotypes: a single homogenous haplotype occupying the island of Borneo, Philippines, and southern Sumatra; and the Javan haplotype. The more diverse continental form consists of 17 haplotypes in which a dominant haplotype was shared by individuals from southern Thai Peninsular (south of Surat Thani-Krabi depression), Peninsular Malaysia, and Sumatra. Uniquely, Sumatra contains both the continental and insular Y-DNA which can be explained by a secondary contact hypothesis.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the findings in this study are important: (1) to help authority particularly in Malaysia on the population management activities including translocation and culling of conflict M. fascicularis, (2) to identify the unknown origin of captive M. fascicularis used in biomedical research, and; (3) the separation between the continental and insular forms warrants for the treatment as separate management units.
Fulltext Panthera tigris jacksoni Population Crash and Impending Extinction due to Environmental Perturbation and Human-Wildlife Conflict

Ten DCY, Jani R, Hashim NH, Saaban S, Abu Hashim AK, Abdullah MT

Animals (Basel), 2021 Apr 06;11(4).
PMID: 33917373 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041032

The critically endangered Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni), with an estimated population of less than 200 individuals left in isolated rainforest habitats in Malaysia, is in an intermediate population crash leading to extinction in the next decade. The population has decreased significantly by illegal poaching, environmental perturbation, roadkill, and being captured during human-wildlife conflicts. Forty-five or more individuals were extracted from the wild (four animals captured due to conflict, one death due to canine distemper, one roadkilled, and 39 poached) in the 12 years between 2008-2019. The Malayan tigers are the first wildlife species to test positive for COVID-19 and are subject to the Canine Distemper Virus. These anthropogenic disturbances (poaching and human-tiger conflict) and environmental perturbation (decreasing habitat coverage and quality) have long been identified as impending extinction factors. Roadkill and infectious diseases have emerged recently as new confounding factors threatening Malayan tiger extinction in the near future. Peninsular Malaysia has an existing Malayan tiger conservation management plan; however, to enhance the protection and conservation of Malayan tigers from potential extinction, the authority should reassess the existing legislation, regulation, and management plan and realign them to prevent further population decline, and to better enable preparedness and readiness for the ongoing pandemic and future threats.
Fulltext Assessing the sustainability of the homestay industry for the East Coast of Malaysia using the Delphi approach

Zamzuki FA, Lola MS, Aruchunan E, Muthuvalu MS, Jubilee RVW, Zainuddin NH, et al.

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21433.
PMID: 38027815 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21433

Homestay ecotourism in Malaysia has been extensively examined in terms of its concepts, approaches, activities, and community engagement. However, a comprehensive assessment of the sustainability factors pertaining to host families remains a critical area awaiting exploration. This is paramount for ensuring the long-term viability of homestays and fostering economic benefits within rural communities. The present study seeks to establish direct subjective measurements for evaluating the interplay between local communities, tourism, and resources in safeguarding sustainable homestays. Utilizing the Delphi approach, this research conducted interviews with 51 experts who were actively involved in six homestays located on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The objective was to identify key evaluation indicators pertinent to the homestay industry. The findings underscored the pivotal roles played by community resources and tourism in the sustainability of homestays. Additionally, environmental, economic, and social factors emerged as crucial components for maintaining the industry's sustainability. This innovative assessment methodology offers a valuable instrument for enhancing the sustainability of the homestay sector, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. By embracing this approach, homestay operators can fortify their sustainable management practices and prepare themselves for future pandemics. This study represents a significant contribution to the field of homestay ecotourism, emphasizing the imperative for continued research in this dynamic domain.
Fulltext Developing forecasting model for future pandemic applications based on COVID-19 data 2020-2022

Wan Mohamad Nawi WIA, K Abdul Hamid AA, Lola MS, Zakaria S, Aruchunan E, Gobithaasan RU, et al.

PLoS One, 2023;18(5):e0285407.
PMID: 37172040 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285407

Improving forecasting particularly time series forecasting accuracy, efficiency and precisely become crucial for the authorities to forecast, monitor, and prevent the COVID-19 cases so that its spread can be controlled more effectively. However, the results obtained from prediction models are inaccurate, imprecise as well as inefficient due to linear and non-linear patterns exist in the data set, respectively. Therefore, to produce more accurate and efficient COVID-19 prediction value that is closer to the true COVID-19 value, a hybrid approach has been implemented. Thus, aims of this study is (1) to propose a hybrid ARIMA-SVM model to produce better forecasting results. (2) to investigate in terms of the performance of the proposed models and percentage improvement against ARIMA and SVM models. statistical measurements such as MSE, RMSE, MAE, and MAPE then conducted to verify that the proposed models are better than ARIMA and SVM models. Empirical results with three real datasets of well-known cases of COVID-19 in Malaysia show that, compared to the ARIMA and SVM models, the proposed model generates the smallest MSE, RMSE, MAE and MAPE values for the training and testing datasets, means that the predicted value from the proposed model is closer to the actual value. These results prove that the proposed model can generate estimated values more accurately and efficiently. As compared to ARIMA and SVM, our proposed models perform much better in terms of error reduction percentages for all datasets. This is demonstrated by the maximum scores of 73.12%, 74.6%, 90.38%, and 68.99% in the MAE, MAPE, MSE, and RMSE, respectively. Therefore, the proposed model can be the best and effective way to improve prediction performance with a higher level of accuracy and efficiency in predicting cases of COVID-19.
Fulltext Assessing mental health among students in the UAE: A cross-sectional study utilizing the DASS-21 scale

Alalalmeh SO, Hegazi OE, Shahwan M, Hassan N, Humaid Alnuaimi GR, Alaila RF, et al.

Saudi Pharm J, 2024 Apr;32(4):101987.
PMID: 38405042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2024.101987

BACKGROUND: The escalating worldwide concerns for mental health, significantly amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitates understanding the impact on vulnerable populations, such as university students. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and implications of depression, anxiety, and stress among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21).
METHODS: This study utilized convenience sampling to investigate the mental health of undergraduates in UAE universities using a bilingual DASS-21 questionnaire via Google Forms. Analysis was conducted using SPSS version 29.0, employing descriptive statistics, Chi-squared tests, Mann-Whitney tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Multinomial Logistic Regression to analyze relationships between sociodemographic variables and mental health scores.
RESULTS: The study examined 332 students, with most female participants (81 %, n = 269) and individuals aged 18-20 (89.8 %, n = 298). It revealed higher mean DASS scores among females: Depression (M = 15.80, p = 0.030), Anxiety (M = 17.63, p

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