Displaying publications 621 - 640 of 799 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Fulltext Pythium Damping-Off and Root Rot of Capsicum annuum L.: Impacts, Diagnosis, and Management
    Arora H, Sharma A, Sharma S, Haron FF, Gafur A, Sayyed RZ, et al.
    Microorganisms, 2021 Apr 13;9(4).
    PMID: 33924471 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040823
    Capsicum annuum L. is a significant horticulture crop known for its pungent varieties and used as a spice. The pungent character in the plant, known as capsaicinoid, has been discovered to have various health benefits. However, its production has been affected due to various exogenous stresses, including diseases caused by a soil-borne pathogen, Pythium spp. predominantly affecting the Capsicum plant in younger stages and causing damping-off, this pathogen can incite root rot in later plant growth stages. Due to the involvement of multiple Pythium spp. and their capability to disperse through various routes, their detection and diagnosis have become crucial. However, the quest for a point-of-care technology is still far from over. The use of an integrated approach with cultural and biological techniques for the management of Pythium spp. can be the best and most sustainable alternative to the traditionally used and hazardous chemical approach. The lack of race-specific resistance genes against Pythium spp. can be compensated with the candidate quantitative trait loci (QTL) genes in C. annuum L. This review will focus on the epidemiological factors playing a major role in disease spread, the currently available diagnostics in species identification, and the management strategies with a special emphasis on Pythium spp. causing damping-off and root rot in different cultivars of C. annuum L.
    Matched MeSH terms: Technology
  2. Fulltext Bio-Cementation in Construction Materials: A Review
    Iqbal DM, Wong LS, Kong SY
    Materials (Basel), 2021 Apr 23;14(9).
    PMID: 33922871 DOI: 10.3390/ma14092175
    The rapid development of the construction sector has led to massive use of raw construction materials, which are at risk of exhaustion. The problem is aggravated by the high demand for cement as binding powder and the mass production of clay bricks for construction purposes. This scenario has led to high energy consumption and carbon emissions in their production. In this regard, bio-cementation is considered a green solution to building construction, because this technology is environmentally friendly and capable of reducing carbon emissions, thus slowing the global warming rate. Most of the previously published articles have focused on microbiologically induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP), with the mechanism of bio-cementation related to the occurrence of urea hydrolysis as a result of the urease enzymatic activity by the microbes that yielded ammonium and carbonate ions. These ions would then react with calcium ions under favorable conditions to precipitate calcium carbonate. MICP was investigated for crack repair and the surface treatment of various types of construction materials. Research on MICP for the production of binders in construction materials has become a recent trend in construction engineering. With the development of cutting edge MICP research, it is beneficial for this article to review the recent trend of MICP in construction engineering, so that a comprehensive understanding on microbial utilization for bio-cementation can be achieved.
    Matched MeSH terms: Technology
  3. A current overview of the oxidative desulfurization of fuels utilizing heat and solar light: from materials design to catalysis for clean energy
    Lim XB, Ong WJ
    Nanoscale Horiz, 2021 May 21.
    PMID: 34018529 DOI: 10.1039/d1nh00127b
    The ceaseless increase of pollution cases due to the tremendous consumption of fossil fuels has steered the world towards an environmental crisis and necessitated urgency to curtail noxious sulfur oxide emissions. Since the world is moving toward green chemistry, a fuel desulfurization process driven by clean technology is of paramount significance in the field of environmental remediation. Among the novel desulfurization techniques, the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) process has been intensively studied and is highlighted as the rising star to effectuate sulfur-free fuels due to its mild reaction conditions and remarkable desulfurization performances in the past decade. This critical review emphasizes the latest advances in thermal catalytic ODS and photocatalytic ODS related to the design and synthesis routes of myriad materials. This encompasses the engineering of metal oxides, ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, polyoxometalates, metal-organic frameworks, metal-free materials and their hybrids in the customization of advantageous properties in terms of morphology, topography, composition and electronic states. The essential connection between catalyst characteristics and performances in ODS will be critically discussed along with corresponding reaction mechanisms to provide thorough insight for shaping future research directions. The impacts of oxidant type, solvent type, temperature and other pivotal factors on the effectiveness of ODS are outlined. Finally, a summary of confronted challenges and future outlooks in the journey to ODS application is presented.
    Matched MeSH terms: Technology
  4. MECHANICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BIO-NANOCOMPOSITE FILMS BASED ON CHICKEN SKIN GELATIN WITH DIFFERENT CONCENTRATION OF CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES
    GUI CHAN LEE, NORIZAH MHD. SARBON
    UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2019;2(3):1-14.
    MyJurnal
    Plastics packaging is non-biodegradable and risks to human health and environmental pollution. In contrast, gelatin-based film lack of desired mechanical, thermal and water vapour barrier properties. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the mechanical and physical properties of bio-nanocomposite films based on chicken skin gelatin with different concentration of chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs). Gelatin/CSNPs film solutions with different CSNPs concentration (0-8%, w/w) were stirred at 45oC for 30 min and oven-dried at 45oC. Film characterization determination includes tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EAB), Young’s modulus (YM), water solubility, water vapour permeability (WVP), film morphology and melting temperature (Tm). Results of the study indicated that incorporation of CSNPs significantly influenced film properties. The addition of CSNPs increased the TS and YM value, which lead to stronger films than the pure chicken skin gelatin films. However the addition of CSNPs decreased the EAB value. Furthermore, WVP and water solubility significantly decreased (p < 0.05) by the addition of 6% CSNPs. Morphology images showed that increased CSNPs reduced the film’s amorphous character, especially in high level, in which higher CSNPs (8%) resulted in the aggregation of particles in the composites. The nano-reinforcement films showed higher thermal stability as compared to pure chicken skin gelatin films. In conclusion, the film with 6% CSNPs showed the best formulation, as it demonstrated high in TS, YM and Tm value, while low in EAB, water solubility and WVP value compared to other films. The results presented in this study showed the feasibility of using bio-nanocomposite technology to improve the properties of biopolymer films based on chicken skin gelatin.
    Matched MeSH terms: Technology
  5. Fulltext SOLAR PHOTOCATALYTIC EFFICIENCY OF ZINC OXIDE FOR WATER DECONTAMINATION
    FARAH EILYANA MOHAMED
    UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2019;1(1):92-102.
    MyJurnal
    Solar photocatalysis is a green technology that takes advantage of sustainable solar energy for enhancing oxidation process of numerous harmful water contaminants. In this study, a custom solar driven zinc oxide (ZnO)-mediated photocatalytic system was developed and its efficiency to remove organic contaminants as well as to disinfect selected bacteria was investigated. Methylene blue (MB) dye was used as the model organic contaminant, while Escherichia coli(E.coli) was used as the model fecal coliform bacteria in contaminated water. A series of photodegradation experiments were conducted on water contaminated with either 10 mg/L of MB or ~1010CFU/ml of E.coli. The experiments were completed under sunlight irradiation in the presence of 1 g/L of nano ZnO photocatalyst for up to 6 hours. Using a solar thermal collector, the photoreactor operated in the temperature range of 25 to 50 oC. The findings revealed that the combination of solar thermal with solar photocatalysis usingZnO intensified the degradation of MB and disinfection of E.coli. 98.08% of MB dye and 99.99% of E.coliwere successfully removed from the water within the first 3 hours of treatment. Almost complete removal was eventually achieved after 6 hours of treatment. It is therefore suggested that ZnO-based solar photocatalytic system developed in this study is highly efficient at enhancing water decontamination process.
    Matched MeSH terms: Technology
  6. Fulltext Ph Monitoring for Liquid Fertilizer Management in Black Pepper Farming
    Kedung Fletcher, Anding Nyuak, Tan Phei Yee
    International Journal of Innovation and Industrial Revolution, 2021;3(6):1-12.
    MyJurnal
    There is lacking technology application in black pepper farming to automate daily routine activities in monitoring black pepper vines growth and nutrient need. With the revolution of Industry 4.0 (IR4.0), and tremendous improvement in the internet of things (IoT), the application of precision agriculture to pepper farming is a thing to consider for its benefit. This paper to explore the use of IoT to monitor fertilizer requirement for pepper vines using pH sensor. The pH sensor attached to Raspberry Pi 3 will be collecting the data and forwarding it to the cloud database for farmer reference and take decision based on data presented in form of a digital report from the database. The Python environment provides the space for coding in Raspberry Pi. SQL and PHP software is used to design the user interface and data management in the relational database management system. The information about pH provides a better understanding of how pH parameter affects the growth of pepper vines. The farmer will be able to access the information anywhere and anytime. Therefore, our proposed system will greatly help the pepper farmers in Sarawak in managing the usage of fertilizer as a way to minimize farm inputs, thus increase their profit.
    Matched MeSH terms: Technology
  7. Fulltext Staff reflection on the effectiveness of whatsapp usage for organizational communication: a study in a private Malaysian medical school
    Sohayla M. Attalla, Jalal Ebrahim, Hassan Ads, Najibah Abdul Razak, Nabishah Mohamad
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(107):57-62.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Recently mobile communication technology had tremendous advances and became the priority for most of the users with some opponent opinions that highlight the accountability and the privacy issues in using these messaging applications. WhatsApp is scored to be the first top used messaging application worldwide that is used in 180 countries by about 1.5 billion population. This research aims to determine the staff reflections regarding the WhatsApp usage for organizational communication. Methods: This study is implied among the staff at the medical and health life science cluster, Management and Science University (MSU), Malaysia. A questionnaire was distributed to all the staff through an online google form. Responses were analysed by the ‘Statistical Package for Social Sciences’ (SPSS) Version 24.0. Results: Results showed that all the staff responded (100%) are using WhatsApp for organizational communication with variable degrees of satisfaction; 8.1% are extremely satisfied, 61.3 % are satisfied, 12.9% are not satisfied and 16.1 % are extremely not satisfied. Their level of satisfaction is significantly affected by the respondent’s age, benefit of usage, and the time of messaging. Conclusion: To ensure effectiveness of communication through WhatsApp, it should be through official groups and the organization should put specific announced rules for the time of usage and the content of messages to be posted to all members.
    Matched MeSH terms: Technology
  8. Fulltext Screening of medical students’ intention to practice mobile – learning in Malaysia
    Sohayla M. Attalla, Nihal A. Hanafy, Mahfuza Akter, Sakinah Ruhi
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2020;16(107):40-45.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: The twenty-first-century learning is adopting the student-centered learning techniques and the teach- ers are mainly facilitators to direct the process of learning and so social media and mobile applications became an important learning platform. Mobile learning (M-learning) is the practice of learning activities through a portable device such as cellular phone or a personal digital assistant. The aim of this research is to screen the medical stu- dents’ intention toward the adoption of M-learning and to determine factors affecting the intentions of the medical students to practice M-learning. Methods: A cross-sectional study among medical students was performed through a questionnaire based on the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Technology Acceptance Model. The study included 129 students in different stages of the medical study. Results: Results showed that the factors affecting the students’ inten¬tion to practice M-learning include the students’ attitude, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and availability of resources. In the current sample 82.7% of students are already using M-Learning; 41.7% are using it for assessment, 22.8% are using it for learning and 35.5% are using it for both. Conclusion: It was concluded that most medical students have higher intention to adopt M-learning and they are mostly using it for assessment purposes rather than in learning.
    Matched MeSH terms: Technology
  9. Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Phoenix dactylifera waste as bioreductant for effective dye degradation and antibacterial performance in wastewater treatment
    Rambabu K, Bharath G, Banat F, Show PL
    J Hazard Mater, 2021 01 15;402:123560.
    PMID: 32759001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123560
    Production of multi-functional zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) for wastewater treatment through green-approaches is a desirable alternative for conventional synthesis routes. Biomass waste valorization for nanoparticles synthesis has received increased research attention. The present study reports date pulp waste (DPW) utilization as an effective bio-reductant for green-synthesis of ZnO-NPs. A simple and eco-friendly process with low reaction time and calcination temperature was adopted for DPW mediated ZnO-NPs (DP-ZnO-NPs) synthesis. Microscopic investigations of DP-ZnO-NPs confirmed the non-agglomeration and spherical nature of particles with mean diameter of 30 nm. EDX and XPS analysis defined the chemical composition and product purity of DP-ZnO-NPs. UV and photoluminescence studies exhibited surface plasmonic resonance at 381 nm and fluorescent nature of DP-ZnO-NPs. FTIR studies established a formation mechanism outline for DP-ZnO-NPs. XRD and Raman investigations confirmed the crystalline and hexagonal wurtzite phase of DP-ZnO-NPs. DSC/TG analysis displayed the thermal stability of DP-ZnO-NPs with <10 wt% loss upto 700 °C. Photocatalytic degradation of hazardous methylene blue and eosin yellow dyes using DP-ZnO-NPs, showed rapid decomposition rate with 90 % degradation efficiency. Additionally, DP-ZnO-NPs demonstrated significant antibacterial effects on various pathogenic bacteria in terms of zone-of-inhibition measured by disc-diffusion method. Thus, the as-prepared DP-ZnO-NPs is suitable for industrial wastewater treatment.
    Matched MeSH terms: Green Chemistry Technology
  10. Fulltext Defining the concepts of a smart nursing home and its potential technology utilities that integrate medical services and are acceptable to stakeholders: a scoping review protocol
    Zhao Y, Rokhani FZ, Shariff Ghazali S, Chew BH
    BMJ Open, 2021 02 18;11(2):e041452.
    PMID: 33602703 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041452
    INTRODUCTION: Smart technologies, digital health and eHealth have been shown to enhance institutional elderly care. Because of the rapidly ageing societies, information technologies in geriatric healthcare are urgently needed. A lot of innovation in smart healthcare has occurred in the past decade, and its use in nursing care assessment, daily living activities and service management is yet to be defined. More fundamentally, the concepts, definitions and scopes of a smart nursing home are still vague. Thus, this scoping review aims to examine the extent, range (variety) and nature (characteristics) of evidence on the existing smart concepts and feasible healthcare technologies, types of medical services in nursing home settings and acceptability of a smart nursing home by the elderly people ≥60 years old, their caregivers, nursing home operators and government agencies.

    METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review will be guided by the smart technology adoption behaviours of elder consumers theoretical model (Elderadopt) by Golant and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews. First, we will conduct an internet search for nursing homes and websites and databases related to the stakeholders to retrieve the definitions, concepts and criteria of a smart nursing home (phase 1). Second, we will conduct an additional systematic electronic database search for published articles on any measures of technological feasibility and integration of medical services in nursing home settings and their acceptability by nursing home residents and caregivers (phase 2). The electronic database search will be carried out from 1999 to 30 September 2020 and limited to works published in English and Chinese languages. For phase 2, the selection of literature is further limited to residents of nursing homes aged ≥60 years old with or without medical needs but are not terminally ill or bed-bound. Qualitative data analysis will follow the Framework Methods and thematic analysis using combined inductive and deductive approaches, conducted by at least two reviewers.

    ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol is registered on osf.io (URL: https://osf.io/qtwz2/). Ethical approval is not necessary as the scoping review is not a primary study, and the information is collected from selected articles that are publicly available sources. All findings will be disseminated at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

    Matched MeSH terms: Technology
  11. Fulltext A Critical Review on Pulsed Electric Field: A Novel Technology for the Extraction of Phytoconstituents
    Ranjha MMAN, Kanwal R, Shafique B, Arshad RN, Irfan S, Kieliszek M, et al.
    Molecules, 2021 Aug 12;26(16).
    PMID: 34443475 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26164893
    Different parts of a plant (seeds, fruits, flower, leaves, stem, and roots) contain numerous biologically active compounds called "phytoconstituents" that consist of phenolics, minerals, amino acids, and vitamins. The conventional techniques applied to extract these phytoconstituents have several drawbacks including poor performance, low yields, more solvent use, long processing time, and thermally degrading by-products. In contrast, modern and advanced extraction nonthermal technologies such as pulsed electric field (PEF) assist in easier and efficient identification, characterization, and analysis of bioactive ingredients. Other advantages of PEF include cost-efficacy, less time, and solvent consumption with improved yields. This review covers the applications of PEF to obtain bioactive components, essential oils, proteins, pectin, and other important materials from various parts of the plant. Numerous studies compiled in the current evaluation concluded PEF as the best solution to extract phytoconstituents used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. PEF-assisted extraction leads to a higher yield, utilizes less solvents and energy, and it saves a lot of time compared to traditional extraction methods. PEF extraction design should be safe and efficient enough to prevent the degradation of phytoconstituents and oils.
    Matched MeSH terms: Technology, Pharmaceutical
  12. Fulltext Local repeatedly-used deep frying oils are generally safe
    Ng, Tony Kock Wai
    International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2007;1(2):55-60.
    MyJurnal
    A review of the literature indicates that food scientists and health authorities in several countries, especially member countries of the European Union, are still very concerned about the potential health hazards of oxidized products and lipid polymers formed in repeatedly-used deep frying oils. During the frying process at temperatures of 170° – 200°C, steam formed from moisture in the food being fried help volatile products rise to the surface of the frying medium and into the kitchen atmosphere, imparting a mixture of fried-flavours and off-flavours. The non-volatile compounds formed, however, gradually build up in the oil as it is being repeatedly-used for food frying operations. These non-volatiles, primarily “polar compounds” (PC) and to a lesser extent lipid polymers, get absorbed into fried foods and eventually end up in our body system. Available local data suggests that deep-frying oil samples obtained from food hawkers and those produced under simulated deep-frying conditions in the laboratory, are generally safe as they contain PC within safe limits and rarely exceed the upper limit (UL) of 25%. This contrasts with the situation in some European countries where a very high proportion of frying oil samples collected from fast-food restaurants were reported to contain PC exceeding this UL. Appropriately, promotion of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification and gazetting of food regulations to limit the PC content in frying oils have been introduced in these countries to protect the health of consumers. Meanwhile, simple gadgets/test kits are available commercially to monitor the quality of the frying oil. This would greatly assist kitchen supervisors at restaurants and franchised friedfood outlets to know when best to change a batch of frying oil before the ULs of frying oil quality are breached.
    Matched MeSH terms: Food Technology
  13. Fulltext Preliminary nuclear power reactor technology qualitative assessment for Malaysia
    Shamsul Amri Sulaiman
    Journal of Nuclear and Related Technologies, 2010;2010(2):126-153.
    MyJurnal
    Since the world’s first nuclear reactor major breakthrough in December 02, 1942, the nuclear power industry has undergone tremendous development and evolution for more than half a century. After surpassing moratorium of nuclear power plant construction caused by catastrophic accidents at Three-Mile Island (1979) and Chernobyl (1986), today, nuclear energy is back on the policy agendas of many states, both developed and developing nations, signaling nuclear revival or nuclear renaissance. Selection of suitable nuclear power technology has thus been subjected to primary attention. This short paper attempts to draw preliminary technology assessment for the first nuclear power reactor technology for Malaysia. Methodology employed is qualitative analysis collating recent finding of TNB-KEPCO Preliminary Feasibility Study for Nuclear Power Program in Peninsular Malaysia and other published presentations and/or papers by multiple experts.
    The results suggested that the pressurized water reactor (PWR) is the prevailing technology in terms of numbers and plant performances, and while the commercialization of Gen IV reactors is remote (e.g. not until 2030), Generation III/III+ NPP models are commercially available on the market today. Five (5) major steps involved in reactor technology selection were introduced with a focus on introducing important aspects of selection criteria. Three (3) categories for the of reactor technology selection were used for the cursory evaluation. The outcome of these analyses shall constitute deeper and full review analyses of the recommended reactor technologies for the intended full feasibility study in the near future. Recommendations for reactor technology option were also provided for both strategic and technical recommendations. The paper shall also postulate or rather implore what could be the best way for Malaysian and also other aspiring new entrant nations to select systematically their first civilian nuclear power reactor.
    Matched MeSH terms: Technology Assessment, Biomedical
  14. Fulltext Research and health policy
    Suleiman AB
    International e-Journal of Science, Medicine & Education, 2013;7(11):2-6.
    MyJurnal
    Healthcare investment is critically important for the health and well-being of the population, and different health systems are developed to meet the needs and priorities of each country. What has become clear has been that despite major advances in medicine, science and technology, there are major issues related to access and equity as well as quality and patient safety in healthcare services. The issue of patient safety was highlighted by the reports of the Institute of Medicine, USA1,2 and this had received worldwide attention. It is also an irony that despite being in an age of major advances in medicine, science and technology, with the acceptance of evidence-based medicine, so much of medicine and healthcare delivered is of little or no proven value. This poses a major challenge on health policy, and on how this can be addressed in any health reform process that focuses on improving access, equity, efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare services.
    Matched MeSH terms: Technology
  15. Value of Information in Asia: Concepts, Current Use, and Future Directions
    Dilokthornsakul P, McQueen RB, Chaiyakunapruk N, Spackman E, Watanabe JH, Campbell JD
    Value Health Reg Issues, 2016 May;9:99-104.
    PMID: 27881269 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2015.12.003
    Health technology assessment is a form of health policy research that provides policymakers with information relevant to decisions about policy alternatives. Findings from cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) are one of the important aspects of health technology assessment. Nevertheless, the more advanced method of value of information (VOI), which is recommended by the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research and Society for Medical Decision Making Modeling Good Research Practices Task Force, has rarely been applied in CEA studies in Asia. The lack of VOI in Asian CEA studies may be due to limited understanding of VOI methods and what VOI can and cannot help policy decision makers accomplish. This concept article offers audiences a practical primer in understanding the calculation, presentation, and policy implications of VOI. In addition, it provides a rapid survey of health technology assessment guidelines and literature related to VOI in Asia and discusses the future directions of VOI use in Asia and its potential barriers. This article will enable health economists, outcomes researchers, and policymakers in Asia to better understand the importance of VOI analysis and its implications, leading to the appropriate use of VOI in Asia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Technology Assessment, Biomedical
  16. Fulltext Awake fibre optic intubation with Dexmedetomidine for Ludwig Angina with severe Trismus
    Mohd Zulfakar Mazlan, Nik Abdullah Nik Mohammad, Mohamad Hasyizan Hasan, Irfan Mohamad, Zeti Norfidiyati Salmuna, Roselinda Ab Rahman
    Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2018;14(2):89-92.
    MyJurnal
    Ludwig angina is a submandibular space cellulitis secondary to oral cavity infection. It is strongly associated with difficult intubation due to limitation in the mouth opening. The presentation of Ludwig angina varies according to the severity of the infection. The extreme presentations include upper airway obstruction and respiratory failure. We present a female teenager with right submandibular abscess as the consequence of Ludwig angina, who was planned for incision and drainage. Successful awake fibre optic intubation was performed as a method of induction due to trismus, deferring the need for tracheostomy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fiber Optic Technology
  17. Fulltext Remotely sensed imagery data application in Mangrove forest: a review
    Zulfa, A.W., Norizah, K.
    Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2018;26(3):899-922.
    MyJurnal
    The mangrove forest ecosystem acts as a shield against the destructive tidal waves, preventing the coastal areas and other properties nearby from severe damages; this protective function certainly deserves attention from researchers to undertake further investigation and exploration. Mangrove forest provides different goods and services. The unique environmental factors affecting the growth of mangrove forest are as follows: distance from the sea or the estuary bank, frequency and duration of tidal inundation, salinity, and composition of the soil. These crucial factors may under certain circumstances turn into obstacles in accessing and managing the mangrove forest. One effective method to circumvent this shortcoming is by using remotely sensed imagery data, which offers a more accurate way of measuring the ecosystem and a more efficient tool of managing the mangrove forest. This paper attempts to review and discuss the usage of remotely sensed imagery data in mangrove forest management, and how they will improve the accuracy and precision in measuring the mangrove forest ecosystem. All types of measurements related to the mangrove forest ecosystem, such as detection of land cover changes, species distribution mapping and disaster observation should take advantage of the advanced technology; for example, adopting the digital image processing algorithm coupled with high-resolution image available nowadays. Thus, remote sensing is a highly efficient, low-cost and time-saving technique for mangrove forest measurement. The application of this technique will further add value to the mangrove forest and enhance its in-situ conservation and protection programmes in combating the effects of the rising sea level due to climate change.
    Matched MeSH terms: Remote Sensing Technology
  18. Fulltext Introduction to Photonics: Principles and the Most Recent Applications of Microstructures
    Amiri IS, Azzuhri SRB, Jalil MA, Hairi HM, Ali J, Bunruangses M, et al.
    Micromachines (Basel), 2018 Sep 11;9(9).
    PMID: 30424385 DOI: 10.3390/mi9090452
    Light has found applications in data transmission, such as optical fibers and waveguides and in optoelectronics. It consists of a series of electromagnetic waves, with particle behavior. Photonics involves the proper use of light as a tool for the benefit of humans. It is derived from the root word "photon", which connotes the tiniest entity of light analogous to an electron in electricity. Photonics have a broad range of scientific and technological applications that are practically limitless and include medical diagnostics, organic synthesis, communications, as well as fusion energy. This will enhance the quality of life in many areas such as communications and information technology, advanced manufacturing, defense, health, medicine, and energy. The signal transmission methods used in wireless photonic systems are digital baseband and RoF (Radio-over-Fiber) optical communication. Microwave photonics is considered to be one of the emerging research fields. The mid infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy offers a principal means for biological structure analysis as well as nonintrusive measurements. There is a lower loss in the propagations involving waveguides. Waveguides have simple structures and are cost-efficient in comparison with optical fibers. These are important components due to their compactness, low profile, and many advantages over conventional metallic waveguides. Among the waveguides, optofluidic waveguides have been found to provide a very powerful foundation for building optofluidic sensors. These can be used to fabricate the biosensors based on fluorescence. In an optical fiber, the evanescent field excitation is employed to sense the environmental refractive index changes. Optical fibers as waveguides can be used as sensors to measure strain, temperature, pressure, displacements, vibrations, and other quantities by modifying a fiber. For some application areas, however, fiber-optic sensors are increasingly recognized as a technology with very interesting possibilities. In this review, we present the most common and recent applications of the optical fiber-based sensors. These kinds of sensors can be fabricated by a modification of the waveguide structures to enhance the evanescent field; therefore, direct interactions of the measurand with electromagnetic waves can be performed. In this research, the most recent applications of photonics components are studied and discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fiber Optic Technology
  19. Fulltext Overview of safety and efficacy of non-viral gene transfer in cartilage tissue engineering from the worldview of Islam
    Noorhidayah Md Nazir, Munirah Sha’ban
    International Medical Journal Malaysia, 2018;17(101):115-123.
    MyJurnal
    This paper examines the safety and efficacy of non-viral gene transfer in cartilage tissue engineering (TE) from the worldview of Islam. The first clinical trial treating adenosine deaminase deficient patients conducted in 1990 has triggered the development of gene transfer technology. The potential of gene transfer is further explored in TE field with the hope that it could prosper the regenerative medicine application. However, ethical issues become important when it comes to application of new treatment modalities, primarily in gene transfer because of genetic modification influences the basis of life - the DNA. Besides ethical issue, the application of gene transfer in treating diseases also attract views from religious context. The questions on the techniques to administer the gene in human, social acceptance of genetically modified cell and adverse effects from it are still debatable and unresolved. Apart from that dilemma, both safety and efficacy issues are raised due to the scientific uncertainty and social perception of the technology. Despite countless number of encouraging findings and recommendations by the proponents of
    the technology, gene transfer is currently available only in the research setting. The established guidelines are used to complement and provide the necessary foundations in discussing the aspects involved in the incorporation of gene transfer with cartilage TE. Relevant Islamic input are identified and aligned to those particular guidelines. It is hoped that the integration of Islamic inputs in the existing guidelines could suggest the safest approach in treating cartilage degenerative disease through gene transfer and TE.
    Matched MeSH terms: Technology Transfer
  20. Fulltext Usability factors predicting continuance of intention to use cloud e-learning application
    Wang LY, Lew SL, Lau SH, Leow MC
    Heliyon, 2019 Jun;5(6):e01788.
    PMID: 31198866 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01788
    In this ever-progressive digital era, conventional e-learning methods have become inadequate to handle the requirements of upgraded learning processes especially in the higher education. E-learning adopting Cloud computing is able to transform e-learning into a flexible, shareable, content-reusable, and scalable learning methodology. Despite plentiful Cloud e-learning frameworks have been proposed across literature, limited researches have been conducted to study the usability factors predicting continuance intention to use Cloud e-learning applications. In this study, five usability factors namely Computer Self Efficacy (CSE), Enjoyment (E), Perceived Ease of Use (PEU), Perceived Usefulness (PU), and User Perception (UP) have been identified for factor analysis. All the five independent variables were hypothesized to be positively associated to a dependent variable namely Continuance Intention (CI). A survey was conducted on 170 IT students in one of the private universities in Malaysia. The students were given one trimester to experience the usability of Cloud e-Learning application. As an instrument to analyse the usability factors towards continuance intention of the application, a questionnaire consisting thirty questions was formulated and used. The collected data were analysed using SMARTPLS 3.0. The results obtained from this study observed that computer self-efficacy and enjoyment as intrinsic motivations significantly predict continuance intention, while perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and user perception were insignificant. This outcome implies that computer self-efficacy and enjoyment significantly affect the willingness of students to continue using Cloud e-learning application in their studies. The discussions and implications of this study are vital for researchers and practitioners of educational technologies in higher education.
    Matched MeSH terms: Educational Technology
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links