Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant and antiproliferative effect of methanolic bee pollen extract(BPE) of Malaysian stingless bee [Lepidotrigona terminata(L. terminata)]and its synergistic effect with cisplatin(a c...Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant and antiproliferative effect of methanolic bee pollen extract(BPE) of Malaysian stingless bee [Lepidotrigona terminata(L. terminata)]and its synergistic effect with cisplatin(a chemotherapeutic drug) on MCF-7 cancer cell line.Methods: The antioxidant activity of BPE from L. terminata was measured by using1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical(DPPH) assay. Antiproliferative activity at different concentrations of BPE and cisplatin was determined through using MTT assay on MCF-7 and L929 cell lines. An interaction effect(synergistic, additive and antagonistic) between BPE and cisplatin was determined by Compu Syn software based on MTT assay data.Results: The EC50(50% decrement of DPPH inhibition) of BPE was 0.5 mg/m L.L. terminata BPE exhibited antiproliferative activity on both cancer and normal cell lines.The IC50(concentration of drug that was required for 50% of cell inhibition in vitro) of BPE on MCF-7 was 15 mg/m L whereas in normal cell line L929 was 26 mg/m L. The IC50 for cisplatin on MCF-7 was 20 mmol/L. The combination effect of BPE and cisplatin on MCF-7 cells showed that BPE at 15 mg/m L was able to potentiate the inhibitory effect of cisplatin at all different concentrations(2.5–20.0 mg/m L). The average of cancer cells inhibition which was potentiated by BPE was around 50%. A combination index values of less than 1 reported in the Compu Syn software further proved the synergistic effect between BPE and cisplatin, suggesting that BPE was working synergistically with cisplatin.Conclusions: Our study therefore suggested that BPE of Malaysian stingless bee,L. terminata is a potential chemopreventive agent and can be used as a supplementary treatment for chemotherapy drugs. BPE might be able to be used to potentiate the effect of chemotherapy drugs with the possibility to reduce the required dose of the drugs. The molecular mechanisms of how the BPE exerts antiproliferative activity will be a much interesting area to look for in future studies.展开更多
The deaf-mutes population is constantly feeling helpless when others do not understand them and vice versa.To fill this gap,this study implements a CNN-based neural network,Convolutional Based Attention Module(CBAM),t...The deaf-mutes population is constantly feeling helpless when others do not understand them and vice versa.To fill this gap,this study implements a CNN-based neural network,Convolutional Based Attention Module(CBAM),to recognise Malaysian Sign Language(MSL)in videos recognition.This study has created 2071 videos for 19 dynamic signs.Two different experiments were conducted for dynamic signs,using CBAM-3DResNet implementing‘Within Blocks’and‘Before Classifier’methods.Various metrics such as the accuracy,loss,precision,recall,F1-score,confusion matrix,and training time were recorded to evaluate the models’efficiency.Results showed that CBAM-ResNet models had good performances in videos recognition tasks,with recognition rates of over 90%with little variations.CBAMResNet‘Before Classifier’is more efficient than‘Within Blocks’models of CBAM-ResNet.All experiment results indicated the CBAM-ResNet‘Before Classifier’efficiency in recognising Malaysian Sign Language and its worth of future research.展开更多
Dear Editor,Syphilis is a spirochaetal bacterial sexually transmitted disease（STD） caused by Treponema pallidum. Outbreaks of syphilis have been described in Western communities, especially in men who have sex with ...Dear Editor,Syphilis is a spirochaetal bacterial sexually transmitted disease（STD） caused by Treponema pallidum. Outbreaks of syphilis have been described in Western communities, especially in men who have sex with men（MSM） and people infected with human immunodeficiency virus（HIV）^（[1]）. Reports of the condition from Asian countries remains limited.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the allele and genotype frequencies and associated risk of interleukin (IL)-8-251T>A polymorphism on colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility risk. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of 255 normal ...AIM: To investigate the allele and genotype frequencies and associated risk of interleukin (IL)-8-251T>A polymorphism on colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility risk. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of 255 normal controls and 255 clinically and histopathologically confirmed CRC patients were genotyped for IL-8-251T>A polymorphism employing allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. The relative association of variant allele and genotypes with CRC susceptibility risk was determined by calculating the odds ratios (ORs). Corresponding χ 2 tests on the CRC patients and controls were carried out and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using Fisher's exact test. The allele frequencies and its risk association were calculated using FAMHAP, haplotype association analysis software. RESULTS: On comparing the frequencies of genotypesof patients and controls, the homozygous variant AA was significantly higher in CRC patients (P = 0.002) compared to controls. Investigation on the association of the polymorphic genotypes with CRC susceptibility risk, showed that the homozygous variant IL-8 -251AA had a significantly increased risk with OR 3.600 (95% CI: 1.550-8.481, P = 0.001). In the case of allele frequencies, variant allele A of IL-8 -251 showed a significantly increased risk of CRC predisposition with OR 1.32 (95% CI: 1.03-1.69,P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Variant allele and genotype of IL-8 (-251 T>A) was significantly associated with CRC susceptibility risk and could be considered as a high-risk variant for CRC predisposition.展开更多
Internal audit in Malaysian public and private sector organizations underwent a steady organic growth since gaining a foothold in the management process in the 1970s. The management of the Malaysian public sector is c...Internal audit in Malaysian public and private sector organizations underwent a steady organic growth since gaining a foothold in the management process in the 1970s. The management of the Malaysian public sector is continuously maturing in facilitating foreign input in national development, echoing similar advances expounded by the internal audit units of private sector organizations. The main difference being the public sector addresses the interest of a much wider group of stakeholders. Rapid development in infrastructures and industries positioned Malaysia on the fringes of globalization and the world market. This enlarges the crucial role of internal auditing to ensure transparency, integrity, quality and improved service delivery; among myriad positive aims, remain the end point of any process area. This study explored the significance of internal auditing in the Malaysian public sector, and its subsequent extent and influence in public sector hierarchy and decision making. Data was collected from responses to a questionnaire distributed to head of internal auditors, internal auditors and other staff of internal audit departments from various categories of public sector departments and agencies in Malaysia. The study concluded that the internal audit function in the public sector in Malaysia is curtailed by understaffing and hampered by inadequate support from top management while, the auditors seldom extend their full cooperation. The auditors themselves lack appropriate knowledge and training on effective auditing approaches. The negative perception accorded to internal audit led to inaction by management on recommended remedies which only serve to nullify the positive contribution internal audit potentially holds to elevate the service delivery quality of the public sector.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the effects of 20 methanolic extracts from Malaysian selected plants on CD18/11 a expression and phagocytosis activity of leukocytes using flow cytometry analysis.Methods:The effects of methan...Objective:To investigate the effects of 20 methanolic extracts from Malaysian selected plants on CD18/11 a expression and phagocytosis activity of leukocytes using flow cytometry analysis.Methods:The effects of methanolic extracts on CD18/11 a expression and phagocytosis of leukocytes were measured by labelling the cells with CD18-fluorescein isolhiocyanaie and ingestion labelled with Escherichia coli-fluorescein isothiocyanate and then analyzed using flow cytometer.Results:About 12 out of 20 methanolic extracts of selected Malaysian medicinal plants significantly(P≤0.05) inhibited the CD18/1 la expression of leukocytes at both concentrations of 6.25 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL in dose dependent manner.The most active inhibitory was shown in Citrus aurantifolia(Christm.) Swingle and Alpinia galangal(L.) Willd.at dosage 100ug/mL.Moreover,the Orthosiphon aristatus(Blume) Miq(O.aristatus).showed the highest stimulatory activity at the concentration of 100 μg/mL.Other than that,four plant extracts significantly(P<0.05) rose the phagocytosis activities of leukocytes in dose dependent manner.However,Annona muricata L.and O.aristatus showed the highest stimulated activities at the 100 pg/mL concentration.Conclusions:The results suggest that methanolic extracts of Cirrus aurantifolia.Alpinia gaiangal,O.aristatus and Annona muricata are able to modulate innate immune system and can potentially be recognized as therapeutic agents for modulating immune system.展开更多
After the famous“Rainforest Trilogy”such as Monkey Cup and Elephants,Zhang Guixing,a Malaysian Chinese writer in Taiwan,recently published another Nanyang story Boar Crossing the River,in the background of anti-Japa...After the famous“Rainforest Trilogy”such as Monkey Cup and Elephants,Zhang Guixing,a Malaysian Chinese writer in Taiwan,recently published another Nanyang story Boar Crossing the River,in the background of anti-Japanese War,focusing on the massacres and resistance of the Chinese in Krokop,a Malaysian Chinese village in Borneo from 1941 to 1945 according to a list of“Committee for the Relief of Refugees of the Motherland”.In this novel,Zhang Guixing changes the accustomed narrative mode of individual family history,expands the description to the group images of the Chinese in Krokop,highlights their patriotic sacrifice,and saves the reality of the slaughter of the compatriots by magic means such as the myths and legends of Borneo and masks in children’s imagination.It is also noteworthy that the novel talks about the relationship between individual freedom and national identity in depth,and describes the tragic fate of cross-national love in the period of national opposition.These nation-state discourses in Boar Crossing the River are Zhang Guixing’s biggest transitions when missing in the literary world for 17 years,which indicate a landmark progress in his spiritual history.展开更多
The present study investigates the preferred strategies of the speech act of complaint by Malaysian ESL learners. The subjects were selected from Malaysian university students majoring in English at University Sains M...The present study investigates the preferred strategies of the speech act of complaint by Malaysian ESL learners. The subjects were selected from Malaysian university students majoring in English at University Sains Malaysia. Data were collected through an open-ended questionnaire in the form of a discourse completion task and a semi-structured interview. The responses were analyzed based on Rinnert and Nogami＇s （2006） taxonomy of the speech act of complaint to examine the main components of complaint, the level of directness and the degree of mitigation. It is anticipated that the findings will be able to provide valuable insights into teaching and learning English in non-native settings.展开更多
In late February,11 Indonesian and Malaysian journalists,editors and producers traveled to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern China as part of the ASEAN Elites China Tour 2019,where they witnessed happen...In late February,11 Indonesian and Malaysian journalists,editors and producers traveled to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern China as part of the ASEAN Elites China Tour 2019,where they witnessed happenings on the ground.Asmaliza Binti Mansor,assistant editor of Sina Harian from Malaysia,traveled with the group.The following is an English translation of the highlights of her reports originally published in Malay on the vocational training centers in Xinjiang.展开更多
Visually impaired persons have difficulty in business that dealing with banknote.This paper proposed a Malaysian banknotes detection system using image processing technology and fuzzy logic algorithm for the visually ...Visually impaired persons have difficulty in business that dealing with banknote.This paper proposed a Malaysian banknotes detection system using image processing technology and fuzzy logic algorithm for the visually impaired.The Malaysian banknote reader will first capture the inserted banknote image,sending it to the cloud server for image processing via Wi-Fi medium.The cloud server is established to receive the banknote image sending from the banknote reader,processing them using perceptual hashing based image searching and fuzzy logic algorithm,then return the detected banknote’s value results back to the banknote reader.The banknote reader will display the results in terms of voice message played on the mini speaker attached on it,to allow visually impaired persons knowing the banknote’s value.This hardware mechanism reduces the size and costs for the banknote reader carried by the visually impaired persons.Experimental results showed that this Malaysian banknotes detection system reached an accuracy beyond 95%by running test on 600 different worn,torn and new Malaysian banknotes.After the banknote image being taken by the banknote reader’s camera,the system able to detect the banknote value in about 480 mili-seconds to 560 mili-seconds for a single sided banknote recognition.The banknotes detection speed was also comparable with human observers reading banknotes,with the response of 1.0908 second per banknote slight difference reading time.The IoT and image processing concepts were successfully blended and it provides an alternative to aid the visually impaired person their daily business transaction activities in a better way.展开更多
Accountability is seen as an organisational performance across private and public sector,including statutory bodies.Yet,does accountability prove instilled in part of integrity practices,especially in less mentioned s...Accountability is seen as an organisational performance across private and public sector,including statutory bodies.Yet,does accountability prove instilled in part of integrity practices,especially in less mentioned sector-statutory bodies?This study aims to evaluate the relationship of corporate integrity practices on accountability of Malaysian statutory bodies through questionnaire survey distribution.Based on 194 responses received from top management of Malaysian statutory bodies,it is proven that corporate integrity practices have a positive and significant relationship with accountability.Therefore,statutory bodies are recommended to exercise and implement corporate integrity practices by setting up integrity department and appointing corporate integrity officers.Hence,by upholding corporate integrity practices,it leads to the achievement of accountability of statutory bodies organisations.展开更多
The purpose of this paper is to find out the advantages of English teaching strategies of writing in Malaysian secondary schools through compare and contrast of the teaching strategies in China and Malaysia. The study...The purpose of this paper is to find out the advantages of English teaching strategies of writing in Malaysian secondary schools through compare and contrast of the teaching strategies in China and Malaysia. The study of this paper focused on the views of the writing skills from Malaysian secondary schools.展开更多
A passive skylight system is a significant building design element that provides an ideal condition for interior spaces. However, the use of this system is limited to specific climatic regions because of its considera...A passive skylight system is a significant building design element that provides an ideal condition for interior spaces. However, the use of this system is limited to specific climatic regions because of its considerable effect on the indoor environment. Malaysia is a tropical country that has favorable natural benefits, such as solar geometry and natural light, which can brighten building interiors throughout the year. However, harnessing this benefit affects spaces, especially those in single-story buildings, because of excessive natural loads. This study reviews a concept to understand the passive behavior of solar radiation in the form of light and heat that falls on, interacts with, and is emitted from a skylight system in a single-story building. The study method is theoretically based on descriptive analysis to assess design requirements. The review shows that designs grounded on the physical aspects of climate （influenced variables）, materials （design variables）, and human comfort （affected variables） in one process （ESI） can develop the architectural way of thinking rather than estimate the condition based on a limited perspective. This assumption indicates that the adoption of this concept in the preliminary design stage will enable designers to balance the building environment effectively.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate four selected Malaysian honey samples from different floral sources(Gelam,Tualang,Nenas and Acacia)for their ability to inhibit the growth of fungi and yeast strains(Candida albicans,Aspergillus ...Objective:To evaluate four selected Malaysian honey samples from different floral sources(Gelam,Tualang,Nenas and Acacia)for their ability to inhibit the growth of fungi and yeast strains(Candida albicans,Aspergillus niger,Epidermophyton floccosum,Microsporum gypseum,Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes).Methods:The broth microdilution method was used to assess the antifungal activity of honey against yeasts at different concentrations ranging from 0.01%to 70%(v/v).Minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)of the honeys were determined by visual inspection and spectrophotometric assay.Minimum fungicidal concentration test was performed by further sub-culturing from the plates which showed no visible growth in the MIC assay onto Sabroud dextrose agar.Results:All tested Malaysian honeys except Gelam showed antifungal activity against all species analysed,with the MIC ranging from 25%(v/v)to 50%(v/v)while MIC of Manuka honey ranged between 21%to 53%(v/v).Candida albicans was more susceptible to honey than other species tested.Conclusions:Locally produced honeys exhibited antifungal activity which is less than or equal to that of Manuka honey.Our data showed evidence in support of the therapeutic uses of Malaysian honeys.展开更多
Good morning,ladies and gentlemen,On behalf of the Asian Strategy&Leadership Institute or ASLI, I would like to thank the organizer for inviting me to speak. ASLI is the top think-tank in Malaysia,and we have been...Good morning,ladies and gentlemen,On behalf of the Asian Strategy&Leadership Institute or ASLI, I would like to thank the organizer for inviting me to speak. ASLI is the top think-tank in Malaysia,and we have been connecting the industry and the government since our inception 25years ago.展开更多
Dengue fever remains a significant public health challenge in Malaysia,with its incidence continuing to rise despite existing control measures.Dengue,a disease caused by the dengue virus and transmitted by Aedes mosqu...Dengue fever remains a significant public health challenge in Malaysia,with its incidence continuing to rise despite existing control measures.Dengue,a disease caused by the dengue virus and transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes,places a substantial burden on healthcare systems and economic productivity.Despite efforts by the Malaysian government,including the release of Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in dengue hotspot areas since 2017,the problem persists.In 2023,Malaysia reported 123133 dengue cases,an 86.3%increase compared to 2022[1].This highlights the urgent need for more effective interventions,including the potential integration of dengue vaccines into routine immunization programs.Currently,two dengue vaccines have been licensed:Dengvaxia(CYD-TDV)by Sanofi Pasteur and Qdenga(TAK-003)by Takeda.Dengvaxia,the first licensed dengue vaccine,has significant limitations,as it increases the risk of hospitalization in dengue-naïve individuals due to antibody-dependent enhancement[2,3].As a result,it is only licensed for individuals with prior dengue infections,necessitating pre-vaccination screening.These constraints make it unsuitable for inclusion in Malaysia’s routine immunization programs.展开更多
基金Supported by Fundamental Research Grant Scheme,Ministry of Education Malaysia(Grant No:FRGS/2/2013/SKK01/USM/03/3)
文摘Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant and antiproliferative effect of methanolic bee pollen extract(BPE) of Malaysian stingless bee [Lepidotrigona terminata(L. terminata)]and its synergistic effect with cisplatin(a chemotherapeutic drug) on MCF-7 cancer cell line.Methods: The antioxidant activity of BPE from L. terminata was measured by using1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical(DPPH) assay. Antiproliferative activity at different concentrations of BPE and cisplatin was determined through using MTT assay on MCF-7 and L929 cell lines. An interaction effect(synergistic, additive and antagonistic) between BPE and cisplatin was determined by Compu Syn software based on MTT assay data.Results: The EC50(50% decrement of DPPH inhibition) of BPE was 0.5 mg/m L.L. terminata BPE exhibited antiproliferative activity on both cancer and normal cell lines.The IC50(concentration of drug that was required for 50% of cell inhibition in vitro) of BPE on MCF-7 was 15 mg/m L whereas in normal cell line L929 was 26 mg/m L. The IC50 for cisplatin on MCF-7 was 20 mmol/L. The combination effect of BPE and cisplatin on MCF-7 cells showed that BPE at 15 mg/m L was able to potentiate the inhibitory effect of cisplatin at all different concentrations(2.5–20.0 mg/m L). The average of cancer cells inhibition which was potentiated by BPE was around 50%. A combination index values of less than 1 reported in the Compu Syn software further proved the synergistic effect between BPE and cisplatin, suggesting that BPE was working synergistically with cisplatin.Conclusions: Our study therefore suggested that BPE of Malaysian stingless bee,L. terminata is a potential chemopreventive agent and can be used as a supplementary treatment for chemotherapy drugs. BPE might be able to be used to potentiate the effect of chemotherapy drugs with the possibility to reduce the required dose of the drugs. The molecular mechanisms of how the BPE exerts antiproliferative activity will be a much interesting area to look for in future studies.
文摘The deaf-mutes population is constantly feeling helpless when others do not understand them and vice versa.To fill this gap,this study implements a CNN-based neural network,Convolutional Based Attention Module(CBAM),to recognise Malaysian Sign Language(MSL)in videos recognition.This study has created 2071 videos for 19 dynamic signs.Two different experiments were conducted for dynamic signs,using CBAM-3DResNet implementing‘Within Blocks’and‘Before Classifier’methods.Various metrics such as the accuracy,loss,precision,recall,F1-score,confusion matrix,and training time were recorded to evaluate the models’efficiency.Results showed that CBAM-ResNet models had good performances in videos recognition tasks,with recognition rates of over 90%with little variations.CBAMResNet‘Before Classifier’is more efficient than‘Within Blocks’models of CBAM-ResNet.All experiment results indicated the CBAM-ResNet‘Before Classifier’efficiency in recognising Malaysian Sign Language and its worth of future research.
文摘Dear Editor,Syphilis is a spirochaetal bacterial sexually transmitted disease（STD） caused by Treponema pallidum. Outbreaks of syphilis have been described in Western communities, especially in men who have sex with men（MSM） and people infected with human immunodeficiency virus（HIV）^（[1]）. Reports of the condition from Asian countries remains limited.
基金Supported by USM Research University Grant, No. 1001/PPSP/812032
文摘AIM: To investigate the allele and genotype frequencies and associated risk of interleukin (IL)-8-251T>A polymorphism on colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility risk. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of 255 normal controls and 255 clinically and histopathologically confirmed CRC patients were genotyped for IL-8-251T>A polymorphism employing allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. The relative association of variant allele and genotypes with CRC susceptibility risk was determined by calculating the odds ratios (ORs). Corresponding χ 2 tests on the CRC patients and controls were carried out and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using Fisher's exact test. The allele frequencies and its risk association were calculated using FAMHAP, haplotype association analysis software. RESULTS: On comparing the frequencies of genotypesof patients and controls, the homozygous variant AA was significantly higher in CRC patients (P = 0.002) compared to controls. Investigation on the association of the polymorphic genotypes with CRC susceptibility risk, showed that the homozygous variant IL-8 -251AA had a significantly increased risk with OR 3.600 (95% CI: 1.550-8.481, P = 0.001). In the case of allele frequencies, variant allele A of IL-8 -251 showed a significantly increased risk of CRC predisposition with OR 1.32 (95% CI: 1.03-1.69,P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Variant allele and genotype of IL-8 (-251 T>A) was significantly associated with CRC susceptibility risk and could be considered as a high-risk variant for CRC predisposition.
文摘Internal audit in Malaysian public and private sector organizations underwent a steady organic growth since gaining a foothold in the management process in the 1970s. The management of the Malaysian public sector is continuously maturing in facilitating foreign input in national development, echoing similar advances expounded by the internal audit units of private sector organizations. The main difference being the public sector addresses the interest of a much wider group of stakeholders. Rapid development in infrastructures and industries positioned Malaysia on the fringes of globalization and the world market. This enlarges the crucial role of internal auditing to ensure transparency, integrity, quality and improved service delivery; among myriad positive aims, remain the end point of any process area. This study explored the significance of internal auditing in the Malaysian public sector, and its subsequent extent and influence in public sector hierarchy and decision making. Data was collected from responses to a questionnaire distributed to head of internal auditors, internal auditors and other staff of internal audit departments from various categories of public sector departments and agencies in Malaysia. The study concluded that the internal audit function in the public sector in Malaysia is curtailed by understaffing and hampered by inadequate support from top management while, the auditors seldom extend their full cooperation. The auditors themselves lack appropriate knowledge and training on effective auditing approaches. The negative perception accorded to internal audit led to inaction by management on recommended remedies which only serve to nullify the positive contribution internal audit potentially holds to elevate the service delivery quality of the public sector.
基金Supported by Ministry of Higher Education.Malaysia(Grant No.GUP-SK-07-23-042)
文摘Objective:To investigate the effects of 20 methanolic extracts from Malaysian selected plants on CD18/11 a expression and phagocytosis activity of leukocytes using flow cytometry analysis.Methods:The effects of methanolic extracts on CD18/11 a expression and phagocytosis of leukocytes were measured by labelling the cells with CD18-fluorescein isolhiocyanaie and ingestion labelled with Escherichia coli-fluorescein isothiocyanate and then analyzed using flow cytometer.Results:About 12 out of 20 methanolic extracts of selected Malaysian medicinal plants significantly(P≤0.05) inhibited the CD18/1 la expression of leukocytes at both concentrations of 6.25 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL in dose dependent manner.The most active inhibitory was shown in Citrus aurantifolia(Christm.) Swingle and Alpinia galangal(L.) Willd.at dosage 100ug/mL.Moreover,the Orthosiphon aristatus(Blume) Miq(O.aristatus).showed the highest stimulatory activity at the concentration of 100 μg/mL.Other than that,four plant extracts significantly(P<0.05) rose the phagocytosis activities of leukocytes in dose dependent manner.However,Annona muricata L.and O.aristatus showed the highest stimulated activities at the 100 pg/mL concentration.Conclusions:The results suggest that methanolic extracts of Cirrus aurantifolia.Alpinia gaiangal,O.aristatus and Annona muricata are able to modulate innate immune system and can potentially be recognized as therapeutic agents for modulating immune system.
文摘After the famous“Rainforest Trilogy”such as Monkey Cup and Elephants,Zhang Guixing,a Malaysian Chinese writer in Taiwan,recently published another Nanyang story Boar Crossing the River,in the background of anti-Japanese War,focusing on the massacres and resistance of the Chinese in Krokop,a Malaysian Chinese village in Borneo from 1941 to 1945 according to a list of“Committee for the Relief of Refugees of the Motherland”.In this novel,Zhang Guixing changes the accustomed narrative mode of individual family history,expands the description to the group images of the Chinese in Krokop,highlights their patriotic sacrifice,and saves the reality of the slaughter of the compatriots by magic means such as the myths and legends of Borneo and masks in children’s imagination.It is also noteworthy that the novel talks about the relationship between individual freedom and national identity in depth,and describes the tragic fate of cross-national love in the period of national opposition.These nation-state discourses in Boar Crossing the River are Zhang Guixing’s biggest transitions when missing in the literary world for 17 years,which indicate a landmark progress in his spiritual history.
文摘The present study investigates the preferred strategies of the speech act of complaint by Malaysian ESL learners. The subjects were selected from Malaysian university students majoring in English at University Sains Malaysia. Data were collected through an open-ended questionnaire in the form of a discourse completion task and a semi-structured interview. The responses were analyzed based on Rinnert and Nogami＇s （2006） taxonomy of the speech act of complaint to examine the main components of complaint, the level of directness and the degree of mitigation. It is anticipated that the findings will be able to provide valuable insights into teaching and learning English in non-native settings.
文摘In late February,11 Indonesian and Malaysian journalists,editors and producers traveled to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern China as part of the ASEAN Elites China Tour 2019,where they witnessed happenings on the ground.Asmaliza Binti Mansor,assistant editor of Sina Harian from Malaysia,traveled with the group.The following is an English translation of the highlights of her reports originally published in Malay on the vocational training centers in Xinjiang.
基金Fundamental Research Grant Scheme(FRGS)2020(FRGS/1/2020/ICT06/MMU/02/1),Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.
文摘Visually impaired persons have difficulty in business that dealing with banknote.This paper proposed a Malaysian banknotes detection system using image processing technology and fuzzy logic algorithm for the visually impaired.The Malaysian banknote reader will first capture the inserted banknote image,sending it to the cloud server for image processing via Wi-Fi medium.The cloud server is established to receive the banknote image sending from the banknote reader,processing them using perceptual hashing based image searching and fuzzy logic algorithm,then return the detected banknote’s value results back to the banknote reader.The banknote reader will display the results in terms of voice message played on the mini speaker attached on it,to allow visually impaired persons knowing the banknote’s value.This hardware mechanism reduces the size and costs for the banknote reader carried by the visually impaired persons.Experimental results showed that this Malaysian banknotes detection system reached an accuracy beyond 95%by running test on 600 different worn,torn and new Malaysian banknotes.After the banknote image being taken by the banknote reader’s camera,the system able to detect the banknote value in about 480 mili-seconds to 560 mili-seconds for a single sided banknote recognition.The banknotes detection speed was also comparable with human observers reading banknotes,with the response of 1.0908 second per banknote slight difference reading time.The IoT and image processing concepts were successfully blended and it provides an alternative to aid the visually impaired person their daily business transaction activities in a better way.
文摘Accountability is seen as an organisational performance across private and public sector,including statutory bodies.Yet,does accountability prove instilled in part of integrity practices,especially in less mentioned sector-statutory bodies?This study aims to evaluate the relationship of corporate integrity practices on accountability of Malaysian statutory bodies through questionnaire survey distribution.Based on 194 responses received from top management of Malaysian statutory bodies,it is proven that corporate integrity practices have a positive and significant relationship with accountability.Therefore,statutory bodies are recommended to exercise and implement corporate integrity practices by setting up integrity department and appointing corporate integrity officers.Hence,by upholding corporate integrity practices,it leads to the achievement of accountability of statutory bodies organisations.
文摘The purpose of this paper is to find out the advantages of English teaching strategies of writing in Malaysian secondary schools through compare and contrast of the teaching strategies in China and Malaysia. The study of this paper focused on the views of the writing skills from Malaysian secondary schools.
文摘A passive skylight system is a significant building design element that provides an ideal condition for interior spaces. However, the use of this system is limited to specific climatic regions because of its considerable effect on the indoor environment. Malaysia is a tropical country that has favorable natural benefits, such as solar geometry and natural light, which can brighten building interiors throughout the year. However, harnessing this benefit affects spaces, especially those in single-story buildings, because of excessive natural loads. This study reviews a concept to understand the passive behavior of solar radiation in the form of light and heat that falls on, interacts with, and is emitted from a skylight system in a single-story building. The study method is theoretically based on descriptive analysis to assess design requirements. The review shows that designs grounded on the physical aspects of climate （influenced variables）, materials （design variables）, and human comfort （affected variables） in one process （ESI） can develop the architectural way of thinking rather than estimate the condition based on a limited perspective. This assumption indicates that the adoption of this concept in the preliminary design stage will enable designers to balance the building environment effectively.
基金Supported by a national grant from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia[Grant No.600-RMI/ERGS 5/3(53/2012)].
文摘Objective:To evaluate four selected Malaysian honey samples from different floral sources(Gelam,Tualang,Nenas and Acacia)for their ability to inhibit the growth of fungi and yeast strains(Candida albicans,Aspergillus niger,Epidermophyton floccosum,Microsporum gypseum,Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes).Methods:The broth microdilution method was used to assess the antifungal activity of honey against yeasts at different concentrations ranging from 0.01%to 70%(v/v).Minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)of the honeys were determined by visual inspection and spectrophotometric assay.Minimum fungicidal concentration test was performed by further sub-culturing from the plates which showed no visible growth in the MIC assay onto Sabroud dextrose agar.Results:All tested Malaysian honeys except Gelam showed antifungal activity against all species analysed,with the MIC ranging from 25%(v/v)to 50%(v/v)while MIC of Manuka honey ranged between 21%to 53%(v/v).Candida albicans was more susceptible to honey than other species tested.Conclusions:Locally produced honeys exhibited antifungal activity which is less than or equal to that of Manuka honey.Our data showed evidence in support of the therapeutic uses of Malaysian honeys.
文摘Good morning,ladies and gentlemen,On behalf of the Asian Strategy&Leadership Institute or ASLI, I would like to thank the organizer for inviting me to speak. ASLI is the top think-tank in Malaysia,and we have been connecting the industry and the government since our inception 25years ago.
文摘Dengue fever remains a significant public health challenge in Malaysia,with its incidence continuing to rise despite existing control measures.Dengue,a disease caused by the dengue virus and transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes,places a substantial burden on healthcare systems and economic productivity.Despite efforts by the Malaysian government,including the release of Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in dengue hotspot areas since 2017,the problem persists.In 2023,Malaysia reported 123133 dengue cases,an 86.3%increase compared to 2022[1].This highlights the urgent need for more effective interventions,including the potential integration of dengue vaccines into routine immunization programs.Currently,two dengue vaccines have been licensed:Dengvaxia(CYD-TDV)by Sanofi Pasteur and Qdenga(TAK-003)by Takeda.Dengvaxia,the first licensed dengue vaccine,has significant limitations,as it increases the risk of hospitalization in dengue-naïve individuals due to antibody-dependent enhancement[2,3].As a result,it is only licensed for individuals with prior dengue infections,necessitating pre-vaccination screening.These constraints make it unsuitable for inclusion in Malaysia’s routine immunization programs.
