A Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) method was developed by using conventional High Performance
Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). It was found that all of the PAHs have been successfully extracted with dichloromethane-acetone with high percentage recovery. A high temperature of 180°C gave the highest recovery for fluoranthene (94.4%). Meanwhile, fluorene showed the highest recovery at 150 bar, with 94.6% recovery. It is noted that there is no significant day-to-day difference in the efficiency of the developed method, with the R.S.D. values averaging at 0.02. The optimized conditions applied to the soil samples were analysed using the High Temperature High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HT-HPLC) with chromatographic conditions: Octadecylsilyl-silica (ODSsilica) column (100 mm × 4.6 mm I.D.); mobile phase acetonitrile:water 40:60 (v/v); flow rate 2.5 mL/min; temperature 70°C; UV absorbance 254 nm; injection volume 5µL.
Neurodegeneration resulting from pathogen invasion or tissue damage has been associated with
activation of microglia, and exacerbated by the release of neurotoxic mediators such as pro-inflammatory cytokines,
chemokines and reactive oxygen species. Activation of microglia stimulated by lipopolysaccharide is mediated in
part by GSK-3 signaling molecule. Induced IL-10 expression via GSK-3 inhibition is noteworthy since IL-10 has been
remarkably shown to suppress inflammation. Objectives: We aimed to inactivate microglia through inhibition of
GSK-3 signaling and to determine its effects on the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. Methods:
LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells were treated with a GSK-3 inhibitor (LiCl, NP12, SB216763 or CHIR99021). Inhibition
of GSK-3 was determined by the phosphorylation status of GSK-3β. The effects of GSK-3 inhibition on microglial
inflammatory response were investigated by examining various mediators and CD200R marker. Production of nitric
oxide (NO), glutamate and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured using flow cytometry, Griess assay,
glutamate assay and Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) respectively. Results: GSK-3β signaling in LPS-stimulated microglia
was blocked by GSK-3 inhibitor through increased phosphorylation at Serine 9 residue. GSK-3 inhibitors had also
led to reducing in microglia activity via increased expression of CD200R. Inhibition of GSK-3 also diminished
inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), glutamate, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and
chemokine, MCP-1. Reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators by GSK-3 inhibitor was coincided with increased
IL-10 production. Conclusions: Suppression of microglia-mediated inflammatory response was facilitated by GSK-3
inhibition with associated increased in IL-10 production.
Dividend policy is one of the most important element to measure changes in stock
prices. The relationship between dividend policy and stock price volatility shows
different results based on different studies. This paper focuses on the relationship
between dividend policy and stock price volatility through seminal literature on both
theoretical and empirical evidences from 1989 to 2016. The various consequences of
this relationship depend upon each country specific characteristics, different data
sample and different methodology techniques which utilized by researchers in
developed and developing countries. Most of the studies found negative relationship
between dividend policy and stock price volatility, while developed countries have
more impact on this relationship as compared to developing countries. Based on the
prior literature, this paper argues that the relationship between dividend policy and
stock price volatility is inconsistent and the organization needs to decide the dividend
policy according to their capability and organizational culture.
The watermarking is a method of concealing digital information in multimedia data, namely the host image. Discrete wavelet transform (DWT) when joined with discrete cosine transform (DCT) and SVD deliver powerful digital watermarking image. There are different types of intrusions that either plunder the actual ownership or demolish the appearance. In this paper, the DWT-DCT, DWT-SVD approach has been proposed to ensure security by concealing the watermark inside the actual image and validate the proprietor’s image. Using DWT-DCT and low-bit percentage, the watermark image was inserted and abstracted. The DWT-SVD hybrid produced very good results.
The present study examines the interaction between concrete and steel plate, particularly on the load bearing capacity of concrete blocks under confinement effects. 12 concrete blocks with the dimensions of 200 mm × 200 mm in cross section and 200 mm high were tested up to failure under compression load through 10 mm thickness of steel bearing plate. A series of experimental testing were performed to determine the maximum load bearing capacity in different sizes of steel plate and to identify the possible failure modes. The experimental data obtained from the experimental investigations were compared with pre-existing experimental data obtained from literature and mathematical formulation in various international standards. Experimental results indicate that the use of larger bearing plate gave higher value of load bearing capacity compared with small bearing plate due to larger contact area, thus, resulting in better effect of confinement. It was found that the concrete blocks fail in the shape of inverse pyramid when the steel plate is placed on top of it. Besides, other failures are vertical cracks and splitting cracks which appeared at the outer edge of contact area.
Previous studies shows that to do two musical skills simultaneosly is not easy. This is more difficult
when it been taught to children. However, the Dalcroze Eurhythmics Approach is believed can ease the
children to coordinate the musical skills to present a good musical performance. This is a pilot study
involving sample of 31 children from a primary school in Putrajaya divided into 19 boys and 12 girls.
Respondents’ achievement were analysed after 12 sessions of intervention for three months. Result
shows the mean score of the coordination singing and playing kompang is 61.7 with standard division
12.47. There are 3 students scored Grade A, 10 scored Grade B, 13 scored Grade C, 4 scored Grade D
and one student failed with Grade E. Because 30 students have passed the test, the reasearcher come up with the solution that the Dalcroze Eurhythmics Approach is relevant to be taught to increase children
coordination skill which is sing and play percussion simultaneously.
Information on feeding behaviour of tropical horseshoe crabs, Tachypleus gigas (M¨uller, 1785) is still scanty compared to Limulus polyphemus (Linnaeus, 1758). Foods condition such as decayed, sheltered and etc., would substantially influence the edibility of food by the T. gigas. However, horseshoe crabs might have specific behaviour to manipulate the foraged food. The aim of this paper was to investigate the feeding mechanism of T. gigas toward different feed conditions. Experiments were conducted inside a glass tank. A total of 30 males and females respectively were introduced to five different natural potential feeds, namely, gastropods (Turritella sp.), crustacean (Squilla sp.), fish (Lates calcarifer ), bivalve (Meretrix meretrix ) and polychaete (Nereis sp.). We have manipulated the condition of introduced feed based on the several potential foods conditions in nature such as sheltered (protected with shell, hard outer skin or host tube), unsheltered and decayed before introduced the feeds to the crabs. In present study, female crabs took shorter response period towards surrounding feed compared to males. Overall, they prefer to consume freshly dead feeds and would totally reject the sheltered feeds, such as, shell, hard outer skin and tube host. Male crabs have particular feeding behaviours to manipulate the edibility of the decayed feeds. Detailed experiments on the feeding mechanism of T. gigas could provide more information on their foraging activity in the wild.
Nowadays, the numbers of wild horseshoe crab harvested for study are increasing. However, general information on Tachyplues gigas satiation level, gut transit time, defecation pattern and acclimation period in captivity during holding period are still scanty. The aims of this study are to identify T. gigas food intake, gut transit time and defecation pattern during the rearing period by introducing the crabs with gastropod (Turritella sp.), crustacean (Squilla sp.) and bivalve (Meretrix meretrix ) in several feed ratios; 0.2%, 0.6%, 1.0%, 1.4%, 1.8% and 2.2% expressed of crabs’ body weight. The defecation of T. gigas was monitored for every three hours after being fed to measure their gut transit time and defecation pattern. Male crabs did not significantly eat until two weeks in captivity, while the females started to eat in the early first week after being harvested from the wild. The satiation levels of the females (gastropod: 1.8%±0.04; crustacean: 1.7%±0.08; bivalve: 1.8%±0.06) were significantly higher than the males’ (gastropod: 1.7%±0.08; crustacean: 1.4%±0.02; bivalve: 1.6%±0.05) for all feed types. Gut transit time of the males were significantly longer than the females’. Male crabs took shorter time (1±0 hr) to achieve their satiation than female crabs (2±0 hrs). This study provides useful information for T. gigas rearing activity and for designing a better rearing system.
Oral ulcer is a lesion with multifactorial causes and occurs worldwide. The lesion usually resolved within 14
days, but the pain may have an impact on the quality of patient’s life. Therefore, having a natural derived
remedy that can reduce healing time would be a great advantage. This study aims to investigate histological
sections of buccal ulcer on rats treated with aqueous extract of Piper sarmentosum (AEPS). Glacial acetic acid
was used to induce buccal ulcer on male Sprague Dawley rats. Control group received normal saline while
the experimental group received AEPS for treatment. On certain days of post-ulcer induction, buccal ulcer
tissue samples were harvested, sectioned and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). Histological slides
were examined for inflammation and scored. The inflammation severity reduced from day 2 to day 12. In the
experimental group there was a statistically significant differences of inflammation score, particularly on day
2 with a score of (2.8 + 0.2). Neutrophils were less in the experimental group and the tissue debris clearance
was faster compared to control group. Full reepithelization was observed on both treated tissue sections on
day 12 with less severe inflammation. Topical application of AEPS is proven to have anti-inflammatory effect
by reducing the number of neutrophils during inflammation phase of oral ulcer healing.
Optical sensing material for detection of pH has been prepared by immobilising phenol red in nafion membrane. Glass slides with dimension 3 in × 1 in were used as a support. The nafion membrane doped with phenol red was characterized by using uv-Visible Spectrophotometer to study the responses at different pH, repeatability and photo stability. The sensing materials were able to be used for the development of an optical pH sensor since the reagent could be successfully immobilised and produced good responses at different pH.
Bahan sensor untuk pengesanan pH telah disediakan dengan memegunkan reagen fenol merah dalam membran nafion. Slaid kaca yang berukuran 3 in × 1 in telah digunakan sebagai penyokong. Setelah dipegunkan. membran terdop dengan reagen fenol merah dicirikan menggunakan Spektrofotometer uL-Nampak untuk mengkaji kebolehulangan. kestabilan foto dan kesan terhadap pH berbeza. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa bahan ini boleh digunakan sebagai bahan sensor dalam pembinaan sensor optik pH kerana reagen berjaya dipegunkan dan memberikan rangsangan yang baik pada pH yang berbeza.
Bencana banjir boleh menjejaskan kehidupan dan harta benda. Risiko kejadian banjir boleh diminimumkan jika amaran
awal dapat dikeluarkan. Di atas inisiatif ini, peramalan aliran sungai harian dijalankan di sebuah stesen aliran sungai
di Sungai Muda, Malaysia yang terletak di dataran banjir. Peramalan dengan mengaplikasikan pendekatan kalut
melibatkan dua langkah iaitu pembinaan semula ruang fasa dan peramalan. Pembinaan ruang fasa melibatkan satu
pemboleh ubah iaitu data aliran sungai yang dibina semula kepada m-dimensi dengan menggunakan nilai optimum
dimensi pembenaman daripada kaedah Cao dan variasi nilai dimensi pembenaman untuk pendekatan songsang. Hasil
daripada pembinaan ruang fasa ini digunakan untuk meramal aliran sungai dengan menggunakan kaedah peramalan
setempat. Hasil kajian menunjukkan data aliran Sungai Muda adalah bertelatah kalut berdasarkan analisis daripada
kaedah Cao. Keseluruhan hasil peramalan bagi kedua-dua kaedah dapat memberikan peramalan yang baik berdasarkan
pekali korelasi yang tinggi. Namun, kombinasi parameter asas bagi pendekatan songsang memberikan hasil peramalan
yang lebih baik. Oleh itu, pendekatan songsang boleh dicadangkan bagi meramal data aliran sungai harian dengan
tujuan memberikan maklumat penting mengenai sistem aliran sungai di dataran banjir terutamanya di Sungai Muda.
NEUCOMP2 is a parallel Neural Network Compiler for a shared-memory parallel machine. It compiles a program written as a list of mathematical specifications of Neural Network (NN) models and then translates it into a chosen target program which contains parallel codes. In this paper we present the performance results for intertwined spiral problem on popular NN models. The models are the Backpropagation, Kohonen, and Counter propagation models. NEUCOMP2 was developed on the Sequent 8000 computer system at PARC.
NEUCOMP2 adalah Pengkompilasi Rangkaian Neuron selari untuk mesin selari berkongsi-ingatan. Ia mengkompilasi atur cara yang ditulis dalam bentuk senarai spesifikasi matematik bagi model Rangkaian Neuron (RN) dan kemudian menterjemahkannya kepada atur cara sasaran yang dipilih mengandungi kod-kod selari. Dalam makalah ini dibentangkan keputusan prestasi penyelesaian masalah lingkaran berkembar menggunakan modelÂ-model RN tertentu. Model-model ini adalah model rangkaian Perambatan Balik, Kohonen, dan Lawan Perambatan. EUCOMP2 dibangunkan pada sistem komputer Sequent 8000 di PARC.
This study addresses lhe association between loneliness and psychological well-being among university students in Malaysia. The study used a multistage cluster sample consisting of 1,467 students who came from five Malaysian universities. Psychological well-being variables in this study were measured through the 12-item General Health Questionnaire scale (GHQ-12) by Golberg (1978). The loneliness variables were measured by using the 14- item Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale by Russell, Peplau and Cutrona (1980). The'cut-off point 5/6' for the GHQ-12 was used to determine the level of psychological well-being among the respondents. Correlation and one-way ANOVA analyses were also done. Generally, the main results showe that about 65.6% of university students in Malaysia indicated a good level of psychological well-being and about 34.4% of university students reported having some psychological problems. In addition, about 59.6% of university students reported having a moderate level of loneliness. Based on the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale scale, a moderate level of loneliness means these students had a moderate level of satisfaction in interpersonal relationships. Other results of significant tests were obtained. Implications of results are also discussed.
The study investigated the behaviours of critical thinking skills among UKM students. This study involved 200 UKM students as research participants. Respondents were from Bachelor students (Year 1 to Year 4), and Master students. The location of this study is in Bangi Campus, UKM that includes seven faculties. Those are Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Islamic Study, Faculty of Management and Economics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Information Technology and Faculty of Engineering. The students’ age range is between 19 to 46 years old. The instrument used to measure the attitude of critical thinking skills is California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST), that was translated by the researcher into Malay language. In addition, this research also employed descriptive and inference statistics analyses in the form of mean score, standard deviation, percentage, frequency, Pearson Correlation, non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and T-Test. The result showed that the behaviour of critical thinking skills was not related significantly with UKM students’ academic performances. Cognitive maturity behaviour influenced their academic levels from low and moderate to high performance. Finally, male and female students also differ in their open-mindedness, objectivity, readiness to face challenges and desire to seek the truth.
Kajian ini dijalankan untuk menentukan kesan suplemen puri jambu batu merah (Psidium guajava) ke atas aktiviti enzim antioksidan, fungsi ginjal dan fungsi hati pada tikus teraruh obesiti. Sebanyak 30 ekor tikus Sprague-Dawley jantan dibahagi 5 kumpulan (kawalan negatif dan positif, CN dan CP (air suling); dos rendah, LDG (500 mg/kg bb); dos sederhana, MDG (1000 mg/kg bb); dos tinggi, HDG (2000 mg/kg bb). Suplemen puri jambu merah diberi bersama diet tinggi lemak selama 6 minggu. Pada akhir kajian, tikus dipuasa semalaman dan dibedah untuk kajian biokimia darah. Pengurangan signifikan dalam berat badan diperhatikan dalam kumpulan rawatan berbanding CN dan CP. Aktiviti spesifik seperti glutation peroksidase (GPx), glutatione redutase (GR) dan superoksida dismutase (SOD) pada tikus teraruh obesiti meningkat berbanding CN. Ujian fungsi ginjal bagi kepekatan urea menurun secara signifikan pada LDG (4.28±0.69 mmol/L), MDG (4.35±0.87 mmol/L) dan HDG (3.85±0.71 mmol/L) berbanding CN (7.02±1.81 mmol/L) masing-masing. Ujian fungsi hati bagi protein total, globulin, nisbah AG dan alanin aminotransferase (ALT) menunjukkan perbezaan signifikan LDG, MDG dan HDG berbanding CN. Nilai jumlah protein bagi MDG (72.67±3.65 g/L) dan HDG (76.00±2.49 g/L) lebih rendah berbanding CN (80.11±1.98 g/L). Nilai globulin bagi LDG (34.17±3.43 g/L), MDG (32.17±1.83 g/L) dan HDG (35.00±3.41 g/L) juga lebih rendah berbanding CN (39.67±0.82 g/L). Nilai nisbah AG bagi LDG (1.22±0.16), MDG (1.28±0.07) dan HDG (1.19±0.14) berbeza secara signifikan dengan CN (1.03±0.08). Nilai ALT bagi LDG (55.83±15.12 U/L), MDG (50.67±22.65 U/L) dan HDG (57.50±8.48 U/L) lebih rendah berbanding CN (77.00±16.26 U/L), masing-masing. Kesimpulannya, suplemen puri jambu merah bermanfaat dalam meningkatkan aktiviti enzim antioksidan dan mencegah komplikasi obesiti yang berhubungkait dengan fungsi ginjal dan hati.
The critically endangered catfish eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton 1822) is one of the commercially high nutritional valuable food fish in Asian countries, but the natural populations are seriously decreasing due to high fishing pressure, leading to an alarming condition and deserving of high conservation importance. Our study describes some biological parameters, including sex ratio, length-frequency distribution (LFD), length-weight relationships (LWRs), length-length relationships (LLRs), condition factors (Allometric, KA; Fulton’s, KF; Relative condition, KR; Relative weight, wR) and form factor (a3.0) of e. vacha in the Jamuna (Brahmaputra River distributary) River, northern Bangladesh. A total of 350 specimens ranging from 8.01-16.95 cm TL (total length) and 1.70-30.38 g BW (body weight) were analyzed in this study. Sampling was done using traditional fishing gears during March 2010 to February 2011. The overall sex ratio showed no significant differences from the expected value of 1:1 (χ2=2.57, p>0.05), and there was no significant difference in the LFD between the sexes (p=0.38). The allometric coefficient b for the LWR indicated isometric growth (~3.00) in males and combined sexes, but negative allometric growth (<3.00) in females. The results further indicated that the LLRs were highly correlated (r2>0.997; p<0.001). KR showed significant variations (F=65.11; p<0.01) between male and female; whereas, KF was not significantly different between the sexes (p=0.64). Also, wR was significantly different from 100 for both sexes (p<0.01), indicating the imbalance habitat with food availability relative to the presence of predators
for e. vacha. The estimated values of a3.0 were as 0.0060, 0.005 and 0.0054 for males, females and combined sexes of e. vacha. This study reported the first complete and comprehensive description of life-history traits for e. vacha from Bangladeshi waters. These results should be useful for the sustainable conservation of this critically endangered fishery in Bangladesh and neighboring countries.
This study was aimed to determine the effects of pink guava (Psidium guajava) puree supplementation on enzyme activities, kidney and liver function tests of Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats (SHR). Twenty-four male SHR were divided into four groups (control, CG (distilled water); low dosage group, LDG (0.5 g/kg body weight); medium dosage group, MDG (1.0 g/kg body weight); high dosage group, HDG (2.0g/kg body weight)). The rats were given pink guava puree via force-feeding and fed rat pellets ad libitum for 28 days in individual cages at 25±2°C. At the end of experiment, the rats were fast overnight (12 to14 h) and euthanized under an anesthetic condition with ether, and blood was collected from the portal vein or posterior vena cava. The specific activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was significantly higher in LDG (2332.5±81.8 U/L), MDG (2424.8±97.1 U/L) and HDG (2594.6±82.8 U/L) respectively, as compared to CG (2171.8±65.9 U/L). Significant differences were also seen in glutathione reductase (GR) activities among all treated groups (LDG (132.5±11.8 U/L), MDG (141.5±16.4 U/L), HDG (148.8±13.2 U/L) compared to CG (126.1±14.2 U/L)). Liver function tests for total antioxidant status (TAS), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) showed significant differences in the treated group compared to control group. In conclusion, this study shows pink guava puree supplementation increase antioxidant enzyme activity in SHR’s blood concentration.
In this research we investigated the in situ formation mechanism of NbC in mechanically alloyed Fe-Nb-C mixture. Powders of iron, niobium and graphite with a composition Fe-20 %Nb was milled in a planetary mill for various milling times (i.e. 5, 10, 15 and 20 h) to investigate the influence of this variable on phase formation and properties of composite. The mixture was cold pressed and sintered at 1300°C for 1 h. Only phase of the initial raw materials was observed after milling, whilst NbC phase was detected after sintering. Increasing the milling time resulted in an increase in crystallite size and strain energy, which is beneficial for hardness and density improvement.
Makalah ini menunjukkan dua jenis peringkat Persamaan Pembezaan Separa (PPS) dalam versi teritlak daripada kaedah PPS Bloor-Wilson. Modifikasi terhadap parameter a(u, v) dalam persamaan tersebut diilustrasikan melalui beberapa contoh. Kelebihan dan kekurangan terhadap aplikasinya juga dibincangkan.
Hantaviruses are infectious agents that can cause diseases resulting in deaths in humans and are hosted by rodents without affecting the hosts themselves. A simple mathematical model describing the spread of the Hantavirus infection in rodents has been proposed and developed by Abramson and Kenkre where the model takes into account the temporal and spatial characteristics of this infection. In this paper, we extended this model to include the process of harvesting and study the impact of different harvesting strategies in the spread of the Hantavirus infection in rodents. Several numerical simulations were carried out and the results are discussed.