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- PublicationThe effect of minocycline on novel object recognition memory and beta amyloid protein expression in alzheimer’s disease rat model(2016)Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder which indicates gradual decline in cognitive impairment. It is the reason for mental and cognitive alteration such as low memory capacity, intellect and personality disorder and also behavioral changes in population older than the age of 65 (Saeed Sadigh-Eteghad, 2014) (Crew and Masliah 2010). This research study focuses mainly on the effect of minocycline on novel object recognition memory in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced rats. Besides that, it is also to determine the effects of LPS administration on novel object recognition test and in Ap protein plaque deposition in rat brain. Administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers neuroinflammation along with memory shortfall and leads to beta amyloid protein plaque deposition (Friihauf el al., 2015). Therefore, LPS- induced Sprague Dawley rat models were used as AD paradigm for this study in order to investigate the effect of minocycline on their memory impairment and beta amyloid protein plaque deposition. However the contribution of minocycline (microglial activation inhibitor) treatment in LPS- induced neuroinflammation AD model especially in in-vivo study is still unclear and need further investigation (Biscaro el al., 2012). The Novel Object Recognition (NOR) test is to evaluate the rat’s preference towards the novel object as to monitor its memory impairment of rats of various groups (Normal Saline, LPS, LPS with minocycline (50mg/kg), LPS with memantine (2mg/kg) treatment). 1st group consists of normal rats and the rest were injected with LPS. Then, the 3rd and 4th group were treated with minocycline and memantine respectively for 7 days consecutively. Based on histological finding, there were no beta amyloid deposition found in all of the rats. Hence, there is no data to analyze for investigating the significance. As the minocycline able to inhibit microglial activation which renders the further cognitive impairment while improving it, the LPS induced rats under minocycline treatment are anticipated to exhibit higher object recognition index than LPS induced rats. Besides that, LPS induced rats were assumed to show lower recognition index compared to normal rats to prove the memory impairment is due to LPS. The statistical analysis was done using One-Way Anova to analyze the recognition index produced by the four groups. According to the result, LPS induced rats under minocycline treatment shows the lowest value of recognition index among the other groups. In fact, none of the comparisons between groups were significant. However, LPS induced rats showed higher recognition index than normal rats as assumed. The minocycline treatment failed to produce the expected effect on NOR test. As the conclusion, the dose of minocycline was not optimum to recover the neuroinflammatory condition in rats. The dose optimization should have done to get the expected result. LPS successfully caused memory impairment even in the absence of beta amyloid protein. The drug, memantine treatment was successful in improving the rats’ memory.
- PublicationKnowledge, attitude and practice towards distracted driving related to road accident among students in Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, Kelantan.(2016)Driving is a multitasking operation that involves manual, visual, and cognitive tasks. However, drivers often tend to perform non-driving activities that divert their attention from primary task of driving. These may be due to drivers’ interaction with in-vehicle sources such as conversing with a passenger, using a mobile phone, drinking or eating, or adjusting the radio or other vehicle controls. The importance of knowledge, attitude and practice of road safety measures needs to be emphasized in the prevention of road traffic accidents (RTAs). The present study is aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of distracted driving related to road accident measures among the students in school of health sciences, LJSM, Malaysia. A total of 186 final year students were included in this cross-sectional study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the relevant information from the participants. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Out of the 186 participants, 160 (86.0%) were females and 26 (14.0%) were males. Overall, students have good knowledge 131 (70.4%), average attitude 132 (70.9%) and average practice 133 (71.5%). The results showed there was no significant different between gender and knowledge, attitude and practice with /? values of 0.915, 0.445 and 0.326. There was significant driving experience effect with regard to practice towards distracted driving related to road accident with higher score of practice in group of diving experience less than 2 years (30.17 ± 5.51) than driving experience two years and more (28.02 ± 5.42). There was significant correlation between practice and accident with p value of 0.006.
- PublicationEffects Of Machine-learning Programming Simulator On Performance, Engagement And Perceived Motivation Of University Students In Learning Programming(2024-08)Since information systems are used to support people in many aspects of their life, programming is essential. But compared to other nations, Indonesia has a very low graduation rate for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The modern environment is making programming abilities more and more necessary for students. Programming skills are highly valued in many areas, including software development, banking, healthcare, and even entertainment. Using a quasiexperimental design, the study set out to design, develop, and examine the effects of the persuasive multimedia learning application programming simulator on university students' performance, engagement, and perceived motivation towards the learning material. The two technologies—Machine Learning Programming Simulator (MLProgramming Simulator) and Non Machine Learning Programming Simulator (NoML-Programming Simulator)—were the independent variable in this study. Students' performance, engagement, and perceived motivation with regard to the course material were the dependent variables. Students' study streams, which are divided by students anxiety, served as the moderator variable. In all, the study involved one university students from the public university in Indonesia. The ANOVA test, a descriptive and inferential statistical technique, was employed to analyze the study's data. The study's findings indicate that, in terms of engagement, performance, and perceived motivation for the subject matter, students who utilized the ML Programming Simulator outperformed those who used the NoML Programming Simulator. According to this study, university students' performance, engagement, and perceived motivation toward the course material have all increased as a result of the programming simulator application in the classroom environment. In addition, the creation of the ML Programming Simulator for this research helped to expand the pool of mobile and web applications that enhance the effectiveness of the programming course classroom.
- PublicationHigh Linearity And High Efficiency Cmos Power Amplifier And Up-conversion Mixer For 5g New Radio Sub-6 Ghz(2024-09)Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) is the latest wireless technology designed to meet the growing demands of modern networks and connected devices, but it imposes stringent requirements on transmitters, leading to potential reductions in efficiency due to high power usage. In this study, a highly efficient and linear CMOS power amplifier (PA) and up-conversion mixer were developed for 5G NR Sub-6GHz applications. A mixer-based linearizer was integrated at the PA's input to enhance performance across a wide frequency range, ensuring the system maintained high efficiency and linearity even with a 3 dB reduction in output power. The integrated CMOS PA and mixer, fabricated using 130 nm CMOS technology, cover a 1 GHz bandwidth from 4 GHz to 5 GHz. Measurement results demonstrated a gain of over 30 dB, with maximum output power ranging from 23.85 to 23.39 dBm, peak power-added efficiency (PAE) from 41.3% to 41.04%, and an output third-order intercept point (OIP3) between 31.38 and 32.53 dBm. The system's ability to maintain linearity was confirmed through testing with a 16 QAM signal, highlighting the innovation of the mixer-based linearizer integrated with the mixer before feeding into the PA.
- PublicationFactors Affecting Retirement Preparedness Of Urban Young Adults In Malaysia: The Mediating Role Of Temporal Construal Level(2024-08)There are numerous studies done on retirement preparedness and many have confirmed the benefits of being adequately prepared for the golden years, not just financially, but socially and psychologically as well. The bulk of these studies, however, have focused on the retiring population. Few studies, if at all, are done on youth on how they view retirement preparedness and how they are preparing for this inevitable event in their life. This study aims to identify and examine, in particular, the impact of the various communication factors on retirement preparedness [communication effectiveness, communication frequency, communication informativeness, communication persuasiveness, attitude, influence (family and peer)] as well as financial literacy and demographic factors – on urban young adults in Malaysia as well as how they are mediated by temporal construal level, a theory that espouses on people’s behavioural patterns based on the urgency of how they perceive a future event, like retirement as in the case of this study. For example, when people deliberate on the distant future (high construal level), they would construe positions and situations more abstractly as opposed to the near future (low construal level) where more concrete actions need to be taken. A total of 421 usable responses were collected and incorporated into the data analysis. The IBM SPSS for Windows Version 25.0 and Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) were employed to check the nature of data, empirically test the research model, simultaneously analyse the relationships as well as answer the research questions advanced in this study.
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- ItemMorphological, Pathogenic, Genetic And Molecular Variabilities Of Fusarium Spp., The Pathogens Of Asparagus Crown And Root Rot In Malaysia And Brunei Darussalam(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2006-04)Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is becoming more important in South East Asia (SEA) and quickly becoming a preferred vegetable. All varieties planted throughout SEA have been and now are still facing the most destructive disease i.e. asparagus crown and root rot. The main aim of the thesis was to collect and isolate Fusarium spp. from asparagus plants showing crown and root rot symptoms and their soils in Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. The other objectives were to evaluate pathogenicity and genetic diversity within the Fusarium spp. and their variability using peR-based RAPD. A total of 110 isolates comprising five species of Fusarium have been isolated from six sampling areas in Malaysia and one in Brunei Darussalam. The five species identified were F. proliferatum, F. oxysporum, F. solani, F. semitectum and F. /ongipes, based on morphological characteristics. F. proliteretum and F. oxysporum represented the highest percentage (830/0). Pathogenicity tests of F. proiiteretum and F. oxysporum isolates by inoculating healthy asparagus seedlings var. UC157 in the greenhouse confirmed that all isolates tested were pathogenic. The typical symptoms were initially observed as yellowing of leaves and branches. Infected plants were stunted with reddishbrown discoloration and shrivelled roots. Sliced crowns and stems clearly showed reddish-brown discolorations of the infected tissues. Heavily infected plants collapsed and died.
- PublicationPhysiological And Histopathological Analyses Of Silicon Mediated Resistance On Rigidoporus Microporus In Rubber Rootstock Seedlings (Hevea Brasiliensis)(2022-09)White root disease (WRD) is the most severe root disease caused by a soil-borne fungus, mainly Rigidoporus microporus. This pathogen destroys the root system, leading to the death of the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. The periodical application of chemical fungicides (propiconazole) to control this pathogen has caused environmental pollution issues, hazardous to users, and costly. As an option, the application of silicon integrated fertiliser has proven to be successful in managing diseases on rice, apple, chestnut tree and many else. This study aimed to explore the possibility of using soluble silicon to control the incidence of WRD. The variability study and laccase enzyme production test on nine R. microporus isolates from the culture stock were carried out to select three isolates that showed a significant virulence level. In a pathogenicity test, selected isolates of R. microporus were then inoculated on rubber rootstock seedlings to choose the most virulent isolate. Ayer Molek (AM) isolate was indicated to be the most virulent isolate of R. microporus and had been used in further experiments as a primary source of the pathogen. As an alternative element to propiconazole fungicides, studies had been conducted to determine the effect of different types of soluble silicon (silicic acid, sodium meta-silicate, sodium silicate, and calcium silicate) application on R. microporus growth in both in-vitro and in-vivo study.
- ItemThe Jetty Dwellers Of Penang : Incorporation And Marginalisation Of An Urban Clan Community(Universiti Sains malaysia, 1980-05)This study represents an attempt to analyze at the micro-level the process of socio-economic change in an urban poor community within a metropolitan centre in the Third World. The community chosan — the Chew Jetty settlement in Georgetown, Penang Island, Malaysia - is a waterfront settlement created about a century ago by Chinese migrants sharing a common geographical, historical and lineage origin. Using the world-system approach as a theoretical framework and employing a combination of social research techniques, the study seeks to reconstruct the historical transformation of the jetty community's internal socio-economic structure and the dynamics of its adaptive responses to external changes.
- ItemRepresentation Of Women In Selected Television Dramas Across Different Political Regimes In Pakistan(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2018-07)Media has a prominent and important role in the representation of different groups, classes and genders in a society. This study aims to examine the representation of women in the television dramas across four different political ruling regimes in Pakistan. The relationship of policies and programs of political ruling governments with the ideology of patriarchy is observed from the representation of women and issues of violation of women’s rights in the television drama. From the Marxist feminist theoretical perspective, the relationship between the hegemony of powerful ruling class and the ideology of patriarchy to the exploitation of a subordinate class of women is examined. The research gap is filled by analysing the representation of women and issues of violation of women’s rights in television dramas across different political regimes in Pakistan which was not explored by previous researchers. The methodological framework is designed using content analysis to examine the representation of women and issues of violation of women’s rights in selected television dramas. The findings of the study revealed that representation of women is neither the reflection of ruling programmes and policies for women nor the real image of women in society. Moreover, the issues of violation of women’s rights are not highlighted through all dramas analysed. However, images of women in television dramas across different political regimes are constructed under the ideology of patriarchy to represent women as a weak and subordinate class in Pakistani society.
- PublicationMicrowave – assisted extraction (mae) of rhizome kaempferia parviflora crude and its biological activity(2021-06-01)Extraction is a process to separate the desired natural products from the raw materials. It has been used in various industry such as food and pharmaceutical industries to achieve certain level of nutrients in the products. However, traditional extraction method required a large volume of solvents and longer extraction time. Hence, advanced extraction which is microwave-assisted extraction was carried out. This research study focusses on green extraction technique where the solvent used is water. Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was optimized by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to enhance the extraction of rhizome K. Parviflora crude. The optimization was done to get the optimum microwave power, microwave extraction time and solvent to feed ratio with maximum response. Central Composite Design (CCD) was selected as a model for RSM to evaluate the first and second-order polynomial model. The analysis of variance was used to evaluate the model fitness and optimal condition. Considering the maximum content of extracted yield, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, the optimal conditions for all investigated response were obtained at microwave power of 360 W, microwave time of 2 min and solvent feed ratio of (10:1). Under the optimal condition, obtained K. Parviflora crude extract contained 16.72% yield of crude extract, 18.24 μg /ml of total phenolic content and 142.681 μg/ml of antioxidant activity. The study revealed that the response surface methodology (RSM) is an efficient statistical method for preparing appropriate empirical model related to the independent variables and predicting the optimum conditions influencing K. Parviflora crude extract. Microwave-assisted extraction is an environmental-friendly technique for extractions of bioactive compounds and an attractive alternative procedure in industry food and traditional herb.