Simbol Budaya Masyarakat Sabah Dalam Karya Seni Arca “warisan” Oleh Chee Sing Teck

Seni arca adalah karya seni yang mempunyai fungsi sebagai objek budaya dengan mengetengahkan aktiviti kehidupan masyarakat setempat. Pelbagai media dan teknik diolah bagi membentuk seni arca yang bersifat tiga dimensi. Ia diolah oleh pengarca dengan mempunyai mesej yang tersurat dan tersirat tentang budaya masyarakat setempat. Kajian ini akan membuktikan arca “Warisan” mempunyai mesej yang tersirat atau makna budaya masyarakat setempat di Sabah. Teori ikonografi digunakan dalam kajian ini bagi mengeluarkan ikon budaya pada reka bentuk dan makna arca yang dihasilkan oleh Chee Sing Teck. Tiga peringkat proses menginterpretasi arca “Warisan” dalam pengunaan teori ikonografi ini. Peringkat pertama adalah peringkat asas yang mengkaji olahan unsur dan prinsip rekaan. Peringkat kedua adalah peringkat sekunder yang mengkaji mengkaji dari olahan unsur dan prinsip rekaan tadi bergabung mewujudkan ikon atau motif atau imej tembikar, aksesori pakaian tradisi dan motif pada corak pakaian masyarakat tradisi di Sabah. Akhir sekali, peringkat ketiga adalah peringkat interinsik iaitu gabungan kajian di peringkat pertama dan kajian di peringkat kedua membentuk makna dalaman yang membawa mesej tentang aktiviti dalam kehidupan masyarakat di Sabah. Kajian ikonografi terhadap arca “Warisan” yang dihasilkan oleh Chee Sing Teck telah mengesan bahawa arca ini mempunyaisimbol budaya tentang masyarakat tradisi di Sabah

Growth and mortality model of Chacunda gizzard shad Anodontostoma chacunda (Bleeker, 1852) in Tarakan waters, North Kalimantan, Indonesia

Salim G, Indarjo A, Mujiyanto M, Sugianti Y, Anggoro S, Ransangan J, Nawir D, Meiryani, Hartinah S, Nurjanah, Jose AES, Dewi R, Balqis Z, Arief MCW, Putri MRA, Rahman A. 2024. Growth and mortality model of Chacunda gizzard shad Anodontostoma chacunda (Bleeker, 1852) in Tarakan waters, North Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 770-780. The Chacunda gizzard shad Anodontostoma chacunda (Bleeker, 1852) possesses numerous spines and is economically valued, with prices ranging from USD 0.64- 0.96/kg. This study aimed to analyze the growth and mortality models of the A. chacunda from the waters of Tarakan Island. The research was conducted over four months, from July to October 2022, using a quantitative descriptive method. Sampling was performed using purposive sampling, with 20 sessions over four months, each yielding 40-50 individuals. The results showed a total sample of 789 fish, with 463 males and 326 females, yielding a males-to-females ratio of 1.42:1. The allometric model revealed negative allometry with a body shape from the condition index indicating leanness. The Von Bertalanffy model shows that the asymptotic length of males is higher than that of females with the growth rate of females being higher than that of males. In reaching the asymptotic length, the males is faster by reaching the age of 47 days compared to the females reaching the age of 37 days. The numerical data of total mortality, fishing mortality and natural mortality of females is higher compared to males, but for exploitation rate in males and females has the same value is 0.91. The current exploitation rate of A. chacunda was higher than the optimum exploitation rate (E=0.5), showed that over-exploited A. chacunda requires sustainable management

The society’s preferred Infaq payment method: The analytic hierarchy process

ABSTRACT This research was conducted to examine the choice of infaq payment methods that are preferred by the community or infaq donors in Sabah. Infaq is a gift in the form of money or property spent for goodness and virtue solely to obtain the pleasure of Allah S.W.T. Infaq has several advantages that benefit all parties, including society, financial institutions, and investors. Infaq is not focused on any class, building or land, and does not require a lot of property or money. Thus, infaq has become an alternative for individuals who do not have fixed assets but have flexible assets such as cash for the purpose of donating. Therefore, everyone can do charity in the form of infaq as long as they do it voluntarily only because of the blessings of Allah S.W.T. However, public awareness and understanding of infaq is still low. Therefore, to conduct this research, a quantitative approach was used to collect data and information on infaq payment methods. This study was conducted based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to measure the preference of infaq donors in the choice of infaq payment method. There are several implications and limitations faced by researchers while conducting research such as time constraints in conducting surveys, obtaining cooperative respondents, and limitations of legitimate references and sources

Kesan pendekatan isu sosiosaintifik dan pemikiran reka bentuk dalam STEM terhadap pemikiran kreatif keusahawanan murid sekolah menengah

Pendekatan Isu Sosiosaintifik (PIS) melibatkan murid mengkaji dan menghubungkan sains, kehidupan seharian dan masyarakat dalam komuniti. Manakala Pemikiran Reka Bentuk (PRB) menggalakkan murid untuk memahami keperluan masyarakat setempat mengenai masalah kehidupan sebenar, dan kemudian mengaplikasi pengetahuan untuk mencetuskan idea bagi mendapatkan penyelesaian. Pengintegrasian PIS dan PRB dalam PdPc STEM jarang didokumenkan dalam literatur. Maka, kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengkaji kesan pengintegrasian PIS dan PRB dalam PdPc STEM terhadap pemikiran kreatif keusahawanan dalam kalangan murid sekolah menengah luar bandar. Satu modul pengajaran dan pembelajaran dibina sebagai panduan kepada guru dalam melaksanakan kaedah PISPRB dalam meningkatkan pemikiran kreatif keusahawanan dalam kalangan murid Tingkatan Empat. Kajian kuantitatif berbentuk kuasi eksperimental dilaksanakan ke atas 267 murid Tingkatan Empat di sekolah menengah luar bandar di Tawau, Sabah. Sebanyak tiga kumpulan dibahagikan secara rawak iaitu i) Kaedah Pengintegrasian Pendekatan Isu Sosiosaintifik dan Pemikiran Reka Bentuk (PISPRB, n=89), ii) Kaedah Pemikiran Reka Bentuk (PRB, n=90) dan iii) Kaedah Tradisional (TRD, n=88). Instrumen Ujian Pemikiran Kreatif Keusahawanan (UPKK) dibangunkan dan digunakan bagi mengukur tahap pemikiran kreatif keusahawanan sebelum dan selepas pelaksanaan intervensi. Data analisis dilaksanakan menggunakan MANCOVA, ANCOVA, dan Saiz Kesan. Hasil analisis MANCOVA telah menunjukkan terdapat kesan yang signifikan secara statistik merentasi ketiga-tiga kumpulan kaedah pembelajaran bagi pemikiran kreatif keusahawanan. Sementara itu, hasil analisis ANCOVA telah menunjukkan terdapat kesan yang signifikan secara statistik kaedah PISPRB berbanding kaedah PRB dan TRD terhadap pemikiran kreatif keusahawanan, konstruk penyiasatan, idea baharu, reka bentuk, cipta dan komersial. Dapatan kajian ini membuktikan bahawa modul PISPRB memberikan impak positif terhadap pemupukan pemikiran kreatif keusahawanan

Exploring Microbial Diversity in Green Honey from Pulau Banggi Sabah: A Preliminary Study

The microbiological composition of honey can include microorganisms that are beneficial or harmful to human health. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the microbiological quality of different honey types available in the market. However, there is limited information available on the analysis, isolation, and characterization of honey associated microbes, especially for green honey from Banggi Island. Green honey is sourced from underground areas within the island's forest. This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of raw (freshly collected) and processed green honey by examining the presence of bacteria, yeast, molds, and pathogens. The results revealed that raw green honey had a slightly higher total plate count (770 ± 0.03 cfu/g) compared to processed green honey (640 ± 0.02 cfu/g). Both raw and processed green honey contained Lactobacillus spp. with counts of 350 ± 0.02 cfu/g and 160 ± 0.02 cfu/g, respectively. Bacillus count was higher in raw green honey (110 ± 0.01 cfu/g) compared to processed green honey (5 ± 0.01 cfu/g). Molds were only detected in raw green honey, while osmophilic yeast counts were higher in raw green honey (16000 ± 0.03 cfu/g) compared to processed green honey (120 ± 0.02 cfu/g). Mesophilic bacteria, thermophilic bacteria, coliforms, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were not detected in either raw or processed green honey. Furthermore, green honey was free from pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., and Shigella spp. Bacteria isolated from green honey included Lysinibacillus macrolides, Lysinibacillus boronitolerans, Paenibacillus cineris, Paenibacillus favisporus, and Bacillus oleronius, none of which were pathogenic. This study identified important microorganisms present in green honey, which have the potential to provide beneficial effects without posing any harm to human health

A preliminary observational study on coastal outfalls from selected coastal water of Port Dickson

Research background: The coast of Port Dickson (PD), a popular tourist destination, is known for its recreational purposes. However, even some of the tourist beaches have coastal outfalls. These outfalls, known to discharge both treated and untreated water due to their cost-effectiveness as a sewage disposal method, could potentially disrupt the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem, making this research all the more crucial. Purpose: The objective of this study was to observe and discuss outfalls as potential pollution sources for the coastal environment and ecosystem in four different coastal areas at Pantai Cermin, Tanjung Biru, Teluk Kemang, and Pantai Purnama, in PD. Methodology: All photos were taken on November 5th, 2023, using a smartphone (Huawei Mate 20 Pro) in four different coastal areas of PD. The smartphone was lowered into the opening of the outfall, and photos were taken from different angles. Findings: In total, 14 outfalls were recorded in the four selected coasts. None of the outfalls emitted strong odours except for the outfall near a mangrove area in Pantai Tanjung Biru. Another outfall at the same site was releasing black water directly into the beach. Drainage in Pantai Cermin leading to an outfall was filled with a dark green liquid, which could signify eutrophication. Most of the outfalls were found to have plastic debris within or nearby. Fouling organisms were found attached within and on the structure’s exterior part. They could benefit from the outfall as it provides motion of water, acts as a substrate or habitat, and nutrients are discharged from it. However, the weekly number of visitors to the beach remains unaffected. Significance: Even though this is a preliminary observational study, the present findings provided a significant gap in knowledge towards what was observed and its potential negative impacts on the environment at the coastal waters of PD. In the future, water, sediment, and biological samples should be collected near the selected outfalls to immediately assess pollutants such as plastic, metals, and pathogens. Fouling organisms could be used to assess the same pollutants to determine the potential effect of outfall on the coastal areas of PD. Continuous monitoring should be done to understand the impact of the coastal outfall on the environment

Job stress from nurses’ working conditions in Sabah women and child Hospital

Both excessive and insufficient workloads can cause stress among employees. It has been established that as tasks take longer to complete, employee happiness tends to decrease, which can significantly impact their overall health and mental well-being. The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship between age and working conditions concerning job stress among registered nurses in a government hospital in Sabah. The quantitative survey approach was employed, involving 60 registered nurses with a minimum of 3 years of experience. Purposive sampling was utilized to ensure a sample that would provide comprehensive insights and discoveries into the factors influencing job stress among nurses in this specific setting. The analysis indicated that there was no statistically significant relationship between age, working conditions as demographics, and job stress (p = 0.499). The average stress level reported by respondents was 15.7 ± 2.32379 on a scale where higher scores indicate greater stress. This finding suggests that the observed demographic characteristics, including age and specific working conditions, did not correlate with higher or lower levels of job stress among the nurses surveyed. Based on the survey results, it can be concluded that age and the specific working conditions studied do not appear to significantly influence the experience of job stress among registered nurses at the government hospital in Sabah. This implies that other factors not explored in this study may have a more pronounced impact on job stress levels within this population. Future research could explore additional variables or consider different methodologies to further understand the complexities of job stress among healthcare professionals

Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of Tuhau (Etlingera coccinea) rhizome and leaf

The indigenous people of Borneo have historically utilized the wild ginger Etlingera coccinea, locally known as Tuhau, for its medicinal properties. However, most of its medicinal properties are yet to be investigated. Therefore, this study aims to assess the phytochemical profile and antioxidant capacity of Tuhau leaf and rhizome. Phytochemical screening was conducted to assess the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, proteins and amino acids, tannins, and steroids. Additionally, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. The antioxidant potential of the extracts was evaluated through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3 ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Results revealed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, proteins and amino acids, tannins, and steroids in the leaf extract. Furthermore, the leaf extract exhibited higher total phenolic (61.57 ± 0.29 mg GAE/g dry extract) and flavonoid contents (30.32 ± 0.42 mg CE/g dry extract) compared to the rhizome extract (33.57 ± 0.29 mg GAE/g dry extract and 9.38 ± 0.02 mg CE/g dry extract, respectively). Moreover, the leaf extract demonstrated significantly superior antioxidant activity (71.48 ± 0.53 %, 28.48 ± 0.14 %, and 2.31 ± 0.03 mM Fe2+/g dry extract) compared to the rhizome extract in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, respectively. Consequently, Tuhau leaf exhibited promising potential to be utilized in the food industry

Visualization of the stingless bee research in Southeast Asia region through Bibliometric analysis using Scopus database from 1984 to 2022

The increasing activity of meliponiculture which plays a role as a natural agricultural pollinator as well as the production of stingless bee honey over time has encouraged high-impact research efforts around the world. Stingless bee honey is well known as a "superfood" product and has received significant attention due to its various applications such as the treatment of various diseases both traditionally and clinically. In this context, understanding interesting topics and expanding the network of collaborations is desirable to advance research towards integrated efforts, moreover, the Southeast Asia region (SEA) is one of the major revenue contributors to the global market, especially stingless bees. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the research literature on stingless bee honey in the SEA region by conducting a bibliometric analysis of research papers in the Scopus database. A total of 543 journal articles published between 1984–2022 were obtained. The results have shown that since 2008, the average number of publications has increased by 35 articles per year, resulting in a steady increase in the number of publications accumulated until 2022. Only six countries are listed and almost 60% of total SEA publications are contributed by researchers from Malaysia, followed by Indonesia and Thailand which contribute 21% and 15%, respectively. In addition, among the top 10 most productive affiliates from every country in SEA, seven are universities in Malaysia, while Indonesia and Thailand have only one. The intellectual structure of research on stingless honey has been studied to offer a basic insight into the latest developments in this field of research, which will provide researchers and academics with broad guidelines for conducting further research in related fields

Chemical profile and antioxidant activity of the kombucha beverage derived from white, green, black and red tea

Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage prepared as a result of the symbiotic nature of bacterial cultures and yeast, the so-called SCOBY (Symbiotic Cultures of Bacteria and Yeasts). Kombucha is characterised by rich chemical content and healthy properties. It includes organic acids, minerals and vitamins originating mainly from tea, amino acids, and biologically active compounds—polyphenols in particular. Kombucha is prepared mainly in the form of black tea, but other tea types are increasingly often used as well, which can significantly impact its content and health benefits. This work shows that the type of tea has a significant influence on the parameters associated with the antioxidant potential, pH, as well as the content of acetic acid, alcohol or sugar. Red tea and green tea on the 1st and 14th day of fermentation are a particularly prominent source of antioxidants, especially polyphenols, including flavonoids. Therefore, the choice of other tea types than the traditionally used black tea and the subjection of these tea types to fermentation seems to be beneficial in terms of the healthy properties of kombucha