Giving zakat is the third of the five pillars of Islam and it is obligatory. The issues arose when the gantang
for zakat payment in Malaysia is converted to kilogramme, a metric unit for weight as usually used for
foods and there was no available standard for gantang used for zakat payment in Malaysia. However,
this unit is inaccurate since gantang (sa’) is not a measure of weight (mizan) but it is a measure of
volume (mikyal). Thus, the objective of this research is to study the volume of the sa’ and to calibrate it
in the correct metric unit for standardisation purpose. A qualitative method was used by calibrating the
gantang replica at Volume Laboratory, National Metrology Institute of Malaysia and the interviews with
State Islamic Council, State Zakat Centre and State Mufti Department. From the calibration, the capacity
of the gantang (sa’) was obtained, and subsequently, the respective capacities for cupak and agricultural
nisab were calculated. The finding of the research found that the volume of gantang was important in the
determination of nisab, a minimum amount of crop for a certain cropping season. Hopefully this research
would be a guideline for all states in Malaysia to be more systematic and efficient for the zakat agriculture
determination.
The role of science and technology (S&T) in preventing disasters and building resilience to climate change is featured in this paper, drawing primarily on the presentations and discussion of researchers, practitioners and policy makers from 31 institutions in 17 countries during the Workshop on Natural Disasters and Climate Change in Asia, held on 5–7 November 2012 in Bangi, Malaysia. Issues highlighted include advances in climate modelling and weather forecasts, with emphasis on information gaps; hazards and its cascading effects, focusing on current research and approaches; and the potential for land-based mitigation-adaptation strategies. Progress in mobilizing S&T to support disaster prevention and climate resilience is hindered by factors such as absence or lack of research, incomplete and non-existent scientific records, restricted access to data and capacity to innovate and transmit S&T, among others. The establishment of an Asian Network for Climate Science and Technology is proposed to provide and facilitate exchange of information and aid development of research co-ordination projects led by Asian researchers and possibly to act as a one-stop repository of global climate change related research too. The scope of the network would cover climate research with particular relevance to disaster resilience, including scientific capacity, which is all very distinct in Asia.
Aim: This study analyses factors affecting SP compliance among doctors and nurses in all areas of hospital settings worldwide.
Methods: The PICO guide helped put focus on this meta-analysis. Of the 100 studies published from search engines and/or databases from 2009 to 2014, only four were selected. A PRISMA guideline was also used to eliminate other studies. Critique framework helped in analysing the studies selected.
Outcomes: Four significant factors affected doctors’ and nurses’ compliance with the practice of SPs - health threats, behaviour modifications, systems controls and educations, and health promotions. Of the 33 doctors in the Obstetrics and Gynaecologic department, 30% complied; of the 120 doctors - 60% interns, 34.2% residents and 5.8% consultants - complied by proper hand gloving (56.7%), hand hygiene (39.3%) and wearing aprons (58.3%); of the 32 hospital nurses, 100% complied; and of the 1,444 clinical nurses in the hospital, there is a p
Marine mammal searches were opportunistically conducted during the East Coast Johor Scientific Expedition (ECJSE) on 21-30 May 2012, on a live-on-board (LOB) diving vessel, MV BLACK PEARL. The expedition was designed mainly to survey coral reef ecosystems and water quality. Daylight visual observations of the sea were undertaken during sailing and stopping/anchored from the most upper open-deck of the vessel. The survey resulted in two sightings of long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis), each at Pulau Aur and Pulau Tinggi. Both observations were brief (< 5 minutes) and were made when the vessel was anchored. Based on anecdotal evidences, skeletal remains and previous surveys, the vulnerable dugong, Indo-Pacific bottlenose, Indo-Pacific humpback, Irrawaddy and long-beaked common dolphins, the false killer and pygmy killer whales, and the baleen whales are known to occur in the East Coast Johor waters, at least occasionally. The low sighting rate with marine mammals during this survey is highly likely caused by the survey design and also may be due to the environmental conditions and ecological factors. Dedicated and periodical boat and aerial surveys for marine mammals need to be conducted to determine species diversity and to understand the seasonality, habitat use, and social interactions of the marine mammal populations in the area. The findings will be most useful for marine park and fisheries authorities to plan conservation management strategies for marine mammals and promote their conservation through eco-tourism activities.
Elevated glucocorticoid levels during stressed conditions have been demonstrated to impair reproductive function in rats. In our previous study investigating the dose-related effects of corticosterone (CORT) on the fertilising capacity of epididymal sperm in surgically-manipulated rats, we found that 25 mg/kg/day of CORT given subcutaneously for seven consecutive days significantly decreased the number of implantation sites and increased intrauterine embryonic loss compared to controls. Based on these findings, the current study aims to elucidate the possible mechanisms of action of CORT-induced stress on impaired sperm fertility in rats. Results of the present study showed that compared to controls, 25 mg/kg/day of CORT given subcutaneously for 7 consecutive days significantly increased the level of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) with corresponding attenuated levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activities. Plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and testosterone levels were also found to be decreased in CORTtreated rats. These findings suggest that CORT-induced oxidative stress and exert an inhibitory effect at the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation, reduced enzymatic antioxidant activities, and decreased testosterone production. These subsequently result in decreased fertilising capacity of epididymal sperm leading to poor pregnancy outcomes.
This study was conducted to prepare a mixed matrix membrane (MMM) and to test the performance of the prepared MMM for CO2 and CH4 gas separation. MMM containing polyethersulfone (PES) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was prepared by a dry-wet phase inversion technique using a pneumatically-controlled membrane casting machine. The surface modification was performed on MWCNTs in order to enhance the selectivity of CO2/CH4. The surface modification of MWCNTs using chemical and physical approaches has been adopted. Mixed acid (HNO3/H2SO4) and β-CD were used for chemical and physical approaches, respectively. Effects of surface modification on MWCNTs/PES MMM were investigated. MWCNTs/PES MMMs were characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and pure gas permeation test. The permeability and selectivity, which are the parameters describing membrane performance were calculated via the data obtained from pure gas permeation test with the feed pressure difference from 3 to 7 bars. In this study, surface modified MWCNTs/PES MMM using mixed acid and β-CD has successfully enhanced the CO2/CH4 selectivity by 40.6% compared to that of neat PES.
In this study, Global Positioning System (GPS) simulation was employed to study the effect of radio frequency interference (RFI) on two hand-held GPS receivers; Garmin GPSmap 60CSx (evaluated GPS receiver) and Garmin GPSmap 60CS (reference GPS receiver). Both GPS receivers employed the GPS L1 coarse acquisition (C/A) signal. It was observed that the interference signal power levels required to affect the location fixes of the GPS receivers were significantly high compared to the corresponding GPS signal power levels. The noiselike C/A code structure, which modulated the L1 signal over a 2 MHz bandwidth, allowed for the signal to be received at low levels of interferences. The evaluated GPS receiver had better RFI operability as compared to the reference GPS receiver. This is because the evaluated GPS receiver had higher receiver sensitivity, allowing it to have increased carrier-to-noise density (C/N0) levels for GPS satellites tracked by the receiver. The absence of other error parameters, including ionospheric and tropospheric delays, satellite clock, ephemeris and multipath errors, and unintentional signal interferences and obstructions, resulted in the required minimum jamming power levels in this study to be significantly higher as compared to field evaluations. These minimum jamming power levels vary with location and time. This was due to the GPS satellite constellation being dynamic, causing varying GPS satellite geometry over location and time, resulting in the minimum required GPS jamming power levels being location / time dependent. In general, the lowest minimum jamming power levels were observed for readings with the highest position dilution of precision (PDOP) values, and vice versa.
Co(II)-Ti(IV)-substituted magnetoplumbite-type (M-type) barium ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized via the sol-gel technique employing ethylene glycol as the gel precursor. Structural and magnetic properties were characterised via X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry. The particle sizes of the M-type BaCoXTiXFe12-2XO19 (0.2 ≤ ≤ 1.0) were found to be 900 Å – 1500 Å. The XRD results confirmed that the Co(II)-Ti(IV) substituted ferrites in the range of 0.2 ≤ ≤ 1.0 substitution had the M-type ferrite as the dominant phase. The hysteresis loss per-cycle decreased with increasing Co(II)-Ti(IV) substitution in M-type ferrites which showed reduced values in coercivity and remnant magnetisation with moderate effect on the saturation magnetisation.
Chlorophyll-a concentrations (mg/l) in surface waters of Songsong Islands were mapped using an optically derived remote sensing model. Landsat TM imagery dated 8 October 2008 was used in the classification process and in situ measurements made on 19 May 2012 during spring tidal condition (HW: 2.6 m, LW: 0.9 m) served as ground truthing data. The temporal difference between data used will be useful to review the robustness of the model. Three classes of chlorophyll-a concentrations were mapped: Class 1: 10 mg/l. Considering the dynamic nature of coastal and marine waters particularly the shallow region, and the temporal difference between the Landsat TM imagery used in classification and the field data, results of chlorophyll-a mapping using the developed remote sensing model was high at 83.3%, with producer’s accuracy of 50%–100% and user’s accuracy of 80%–100%. Kappa coefficient of agreement, Kˆ , calculated was 57.1%.
Through the six domains of the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) - physical, psychological, level of independence, social relationship, environment and spirituality or religion - ten out of one hundred randomly selected studies were analysed and evaluated as a theoretical outcome of self care using health products such as food supplements, multivitamins and minerals. A reconstructed HRQOL tool was used in the qualitative and the quantitative analysis and evaluation of the ten selected studies. A Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool was also used in making sense of the evidences of the study trials. The Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome guide focused the protocol for the selection of the studies used in this meta-analysis. A probability sampling generated a uniform distribution of the populations. The manner of consuming or the route of administration, the volume and the preparation of commercially prepared health products were neither analysed nor evaluated as the exclusion criteria. Of the ten studies, nine gave a high significance to the six domains of the (O.R. = 90% / p =
This paper presents a suitable and unique system for observing dielectrophoretic particle separation in a microfluidic device. Details presented on the experimental setup used will enable real time examination, monitoring and analysis of carboxylate-modified latex sphere particles in a colloidal mixture. Observations of the particles were made possible through an optical setup that illuminates the particles that went through the microelectrode array in the microchannel that was controlled by two analog signal generators. Through the setup, it was easily observed that the latex sphere particles move at a flow rate of 0.2 μl/s without colliding or overlapping on each other and successfully separated in two bands left and right. The new separation of one finest particles size for finest purification with respect to frequency was also observed, obtained and analysed.
Wood density and types of shrinkage were examined in two rubberwood latex timber clones of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) namely RRIM 2020 and RRIM 2025, planted at densities of 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 trees/ha, within a trial plot. The mean wood density showed a low descending trend towards high planting densities in both clones. Wood density was significantly and negatively correlated with planting density. The strength of correlation was moderate. The mean longitudinal shrinkage in both clones and tangential shrinkages in clone RRIM 2020 showed no significant difference among planting densities. The tangential (in RRIM 2025), radial and volumetric shrinkages in both clones decreased from low to high planting densities and the differences were more pronounced between densities of 500 trees/ha and 2000 trees/ha. The magnitudes of correlation between these shrinkages and planting density were low. The regression models indicated that wood density could be more ascribed by planting density followed by volumetric shrinkage. This study exhibited low variations in wood density and shrinkages among clones and the respective planting densities; however, RRIM 2025 was more stable than RRIM 2020.
We had reviewed the current practice in stocks market analysis where stock is represented by its closing price, and then found that this approach may be misleading. In actuality, in the daily activity of stocks market, stock is represented by four prices, namely opening, highest, lowest, and closing prices. Thus, stock is a multivariate time series of those four prices and not a univariate time series of closing price only. In this paper all four prices will be considered. Then, the notion of multivariate time series similarity among stocks will be developed as a generalisation of univariate time series similarity. The results are used to construct stocks network in multivariate setting. To filter the economic information contained in that network, the standard tools in econophysics is used. Furthermore, the topological properties of stocks are analysed by using the most common centrality measures. As an example, Bursa Malaysia data are investigated and we show that the proposed approach can better figure out the real situation compared to the current one.
A survey on the diversity of marine macrogastropoda
in Pulau Songsong, Pulau Bidan and Pulau Telor on the
Northern Straits of Malacca was conducted. Specimens
were collected on rocky shores following NaGISA protocol
and the number of marine macrogastropod were recorded.
Distances and the number of the same species were
converted into Relative Abundance unit (individuals per
100 m2
). A total of 15 species of marine macrogastropoda
were found from seven families namely Neritidae,
Trochidae, Ceriitidae, Littorinidae, Turbinidae, Muricidae
and Potamididae. Seven macrogastropoda species were
newly recorded from these three islands. Morula marginatra
was the most dominant species and Pulau Songsong had
the highest genera and species diversity among the three
islands. (Copied from article).
Aloe emodin, an anthraquinone of Aloe barbadensis Miller has been shown to have more cytotoxic effect in
different kinds of human cancer cell lines compared to normal. Accordingly, we found it to selectively inhibit
the proliferation of oestrogen-receptor-positive-(ER+)-breast cancer cells, MCF-7; but not controls cells,
MCF-10A. However, its precise mechanism is not well understood. Several studies have shown that there is
evidence of increased intracellular calcium (Ca2+), both at early and late stage of apoptosis which associated
with the down-regulation of ERK1/2 proliferative pathway. Therefore, we aim to elucidate the involvement
of intracellular Ca2+ in aloe emodin induced apoptosis on MCF-7. Apoptotic morphological changes were
observed under fluorescence microscope. The involvement of cytoplasmic Ca2+ and MAPKs were investigated
using Fluo-4 intracellular Ca2+ imaging and QuantiGene 2.0 Plex assay, respectively. IC50 of aloe emodin
(80 μM) at 72 hours incubation was used. Data were evaluated using the one-way or two-way ANOVA tests.
Our results indicated that aloe emodin at IC50 80µM induced apoptosis on MCF-7 through the association of
intracellular Ca2+ signalling. This observation include a significant increased (p
Transition metals play an important role in the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Series of unsupported hybrid catalysts consisting of Ni:Cu, Ni:Cr, and Ni:Mn doped with Nd catalyst, respectively were synthesized by impregnation method. The catalytic performance of the catalyst for the production of CNTs was measured in the pyrolysis process of hydrocarbon source by catalytic chemical vapour deposition method. Acetylene gas was used as the source of carbon in the pyrolysis process. The decomposition of acetylene was carried out at 700ºC. The bulk properties of the catalysts were investigated by X-ray diffraction. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis were used to observe the morphology and thermal stability of the as-synthesized CNTs, respectively. Hybrid catalyst of Ni:Mn/Nd and Ni:Cr/Nd in 3:1 atomic ratio gave high percentage of carbon yield which was assigned for the high production of CNTs with the mass of yield 18 times greater than the initial mass of the catalyst used.
Widespread deforestation has resulted in soil degradation that is often linked to environmental and ecological changes. Rehabilitation of degraded forest is essential to prevent further degradation of the soil. Abundance of soil microbiota could serve as an essential biological indicator of soil health for rehabilitation success. An investigation was conducted to study the relationship between cellulolytic, nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing microbial counts and age of rehabilitated forest. A random sampling design was used to obtain four replicates of five composite soil of 0–10 cm depth soil samples of 4, 9, 14 and 19-year-old rehabilitated forest. Three selective media: Congo red cellulose, nitrogen-free malate and calcium phosphate media were used for the enumerations of cellulolytic, nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing microbes, respectively. Cellulolytic and phosphate-solubilizing microbes were counted based on the formation of clearing zones, while nitrogen-fixing microbes were based on the formation of blue halo on the respective media. There was positive linear relationship between age of the rehabilitated forest and microbial count. These findings revealed that the potentials of cellulolytic, nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing microbial populations could be used as biological indicators of forest soil rehabilitation.
Measurement of low magnetic field has played an important role in many electronics applications such as navigation, military, non-destructive test, traffic detection as well as medical diagnosis and treatment. The presence of magnetic field, particularly its strength and direction, can be measured using magnetometer. There are many types of magnetometers being investigated through the years and one of the prominent types is fluxgate magnetometer. The main components of fluxgate magnetometer consisting of driving coils, sensing coils and magnetic core are developed by MEMS silicon processing technology. In this paper, an investigation on physical characteristics of the three-dimensional coil structure for a micro-scaled fluxgate magnetometer is presented. The physical characteristics such as width of the coil, distance between successive coils, and gap between the top and bottom coils which would influence the magnetic energy in magnetometer is discussed. In this work, finite-element method simulations to investigate the physical characteristics of the sensing coils were carried out, where the parameter of interest is the coils’ inductance as well as the magnetic flux density. Based on the simulation results, the varying of physical characteristics of the coils had its effects particularly in coil inductance, magnetic flux density, and magnetic energy. It could also be seen that the simulated results agreed with the theoretical aspects of magnetism in a coil. From the investigations, suitable coil dimensions were proposed.
Solvent flow reactor system was introduced into the extraction system to increase the system efficiency and enhance the extraction yield by adding fresh solvent during the extraction processes. The liquefaction experiment was carried out at various flow-rates (1, 3 and 5 ml/min), reaction times (30, 45 and 60 min) and reaction temperatures (300ºC, 350ºC, 400ºC, 420ºC and 450ºC) with tetralin as solvent. Despite the ability of adding fresh solvent into the extraction process, the conversion of oil+gas was still considered to be low as there was ~25% of coal extracts left to be converted into low molecular weight compounds. One possible option to increase the oil yield is by applying catalyst that will further break up the coal extracts into small molecular weight compounds. In this study, a second reactor was introduced consisting of catalyst (NiSiO2) assuming that the catalyst would interact more effectively with coal extracts rather than the coal itself. In the
absence of catalyst, the oil yield was 55%. By introducing the Ni catalyst, the oil yield increased by 15%. Further analysis of GCMS showed that the oil from catalytic liquefaction gave out more low molecular weight compounds in comparison to the un-catalytic liquefaction oil.
The electron-phonon coupling constant of the copper oxide-based high temperature superconductors in the van Hove scenario was calculated using three known models and by employing various acoustic data. Three expressions for the transition temperature from the models were used to calculate the constants. All three models assumed a logarithmic singularity in the density of states near the Fermi surface. The calculated electron-phonon coupling constant ranged from 0.06 to 0.28. The constants increased with the transition temperature indicating a strong correlation between electron-phonon coupling and superconductivity in these materials. These values were smaller than the values estimated for the conventional three-dimensional BCS theory. The results were compared with previous reports on direct measurements of electron-phonon coupling constants in the copper oxide based superconductors.