A palynological investigation of vatica L. (dipterocarpaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia

Pollen morphology of 24 species of Vatica L. had been investigated using light and scanning electron microscopes. Vatica is a stenopalynous genus, the pollens are radially symmetrical, isopolar, subprolate to suboblate sometimes prolate rarely oblate, all tricolpate. Exine ornamentation varies from thin to medium reticulate. On the basis of pollen shape two groups of Vatica have been recognized. Within the genus pollen diversity is valuable for identification and delimiting species

The genus Teijsmanniodendron Koord. (Lamiaceae)

A revision of the genus Teijsmanniodendron Koord.(Lamiaceae) is presented with a summary of its taxonomic history, keys, full descriptions, distribution maps, conservation assessments, ecological information and ethno-botanical notes. In this treatment, 23 species are recognised, one new combination is made: Teijsmanniodendron havilandii (Ridl.) G. Rusea, 14 names are placed into synonymy for the first time, one species is neotypified, five are lectotypified and six new species are described: T. bullatum G. Rusea, T. latiffii G. Rusea, T. obscurinerve G.Rusea, T. punctatum G. Rusea, T. renageorgeae G. Rusea and T. zainudinii G. Rusea. One species name is validated, T.scaberrimum Kosterm. ex G. Rusea and one species is excluded from the genus: T. petelotii Moldenke

Interpretive structural modelling: Hierarchical relationship model of appreciating diversity competency for educational leaders

The dynamics of diversity and cultural competency are elements that run parallel with globalization. Appreciating diversity is part of global leadership competency. However, this assumption may not hold in a context in which multiculturalism diversity and competency are not an integral element for leadership competency for public sector educational leaders. Public organization should assimilate and practice appreciating diversity in the organizational leadership competency. Thus, the central aim of this study is to investigate and examine the appreciating diversity competency for educational leaders. The paper analyzed the appreciating competencies by using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) based on experts’ consensus. The cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis ascertained and classified each competency based on their driving and dependent power. The hierarchical model developed through ISM yielded seven appreciating competencies divided into two dimensions for educational leaders. The model proposed could be adopted by stakeholders to upgrade the competency of educational leaders to practice and apply appreciating diversity. The ISM model could be adopted for the training and development of future educational leaders in preparation to administer and lead multicultural and multigenerational organizational communities

The effect of digital and physical filters on image quality for quantitative Tc-99m single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Pengukuran kuantitatif dilakukan menggunakan data SPECT untuk mengukur saiz dan menganggar jumlah aktiviti radionuklid di dalam sesuatu organ atau lesi. Foton terserak pada imej merupakan masalah utama untuk memperolehi pengukuran kuantitatif yang tepat. Tujuan kajian ini dilakukan adalah untuk mengkaji kesan penuras fizikal terhadap kualiti imej di dalam pengimejan kuantitatif SPECT. An absolute quantitation can be made on SPECT data to accurately measure the volume and estimate total radionuclide activity in the organ or lesion. The major problem to produce an accurate quantitation is the contamination of SPECT images by scattered photons. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of physical filters on image quality in quantitative SPECT imaging

Instrument for Testing Innovation on the Sustainable Growth of Manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria

This paper is based on a pilot study which was conducted to test innovation on the sustainable growth of SMEs by focusing on the methodological viewpoints. The objective of the pilot study was to assess the viability, length of time, cost, and adverse effects of innovation on the sustainable growth of SMEs in Nigeria so as to enhance the design of the questionnaire before its full implementation. A review of the research instrument was performed by four multi-disciplinary academics who specialised in management, accounting, and strategic management, respectively. The aim was to ensure consistency in the questionnaire so that respondents would have no trouble completing them. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) Version 23 was used to assist in the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) which tests for reliability and the Cronbach alpha values were used to examine the content and face validity of the instrument. All the constructs and items used in the model were adapted from previous literature. The sample size used for the study comprised 100 respondents recruited from the SMEs operating in Nigeria. The findings showed that all the constructs in the model carried a high Cronbach alpha value of above 0.7. Therefore, all items used in the instrument were retained. This study is expected to contribute to the literature on methodological multivariate studies, the quantitative approach research on innovation, and the sustainable growth of SMEs

Leaf micro-morphological characteristics of selected Vatica species (Dipterocarpaceae) from Kubah National Park, Sarawak

Genus Vatica L. is one of the largest groups in the family Dipterocarpaceae with 71 species have been botanically described, distributed from India, Sri Lanka to Myanmar, Indochina, Sumatra, Borneo and the Philippines. Borneo with 35 species has the largest representative. In Sarawak, 32 species have been recorded, occurring especially in mixed and upper dipterocarp forests and also non-saline habitats from sea level up to about 1,800 m altitude. Kubah National Park is among the richest site for genus Vatica in Sarawak with 11 species recorded. The Vatica species are distinguished from other genera of Dipterocarpaceae by the absence of looped intra-marginal nerves on leaf, winged fruits encloses less than half of the nut, glabrous anthers and stout style. However, in term of inter species within its genus, Vatica is the most difficult dipterocarp to be identified, which explains why this common genus so poorly known. This study was conducted to examine leaves characteristics particularly its micro morphology to differentiate some selected Vatica species from Kubah National Park. Leaves samples were observed via Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM). The characteristics and indumentums were compared between each species and noted. Results show that leaf micro morphology characteristics are significantly useful to differentiate the species level and intra-specific level

Effects of asymmetric intake valve lift configuration towards in-cylinder air flow behavior

Air motion in a cylinder of a spark ignition engine affects the air-fuel mixing behavior, combustion quality and the production of the exhaust gas emission. With upcoming stringent market regulations for petrol engines, it is necessary to enhance air-fuel mixing for proper combustion. Air-fuel mixing in an engine combustion chamber is studied by assessing the induced air flow swirl motion. Swirl is a rotational motion of a bulk mass within cylinder. Swirl is generated by shaping and contouring the intake manifold, valve ports and even the piston face. Swirl enhances air-fuel mixing and helps to spread flame-front during combustion. The objective of this paper is to analyze the impact of the asymmetric intake valve lift configurations towards in-cylinder air flow swirl behavior. The study is done on 4 cylinders, 1.3L engine. The engine has 2 intake valves in every cylinder. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used as a tool to assess the swirl motion in the case study models. At the end of this paper, the characteristics of the swirl flow motion on every case study models is studied by measuring the swirl ratio value inside the combustion chamber. Also, the pattern of the swirling flow inside the combustion chamber is studied by analyzing the velocity vector and turbulent kinetic energy plots

Pollen and seed morphology of rhinacanthus nees and hypoestes Sol. ex R. Br. (Acanthaceae) of Yemen

Pollens and seeds of Hypoestes and Rhinacanthus collected from different field localities in Taiz and Soqotra Island, Yemen were investigated by using light and scanning electron microscopes. Pollen grains of Hypoestes were prolate in equatorial view, lobate trigonal to lobate circular in polar view whereas those of Rhinacanthus were subspheroidal and rounded trigonal in polar view. The aperture was tricolporate and exine ornamentation was coarsely reticulate for all species in the two genera. Scanning electron microscopy and morphological observations showed that mature dry seeds of Hypoestes and Rhinacanthus have various sizes and shapes, the surface ornamentations observed were reticulate to cristate, an addition to the tuberculum and papillae. The three Hypoestes species differ in the seed structure which are useful for identification and their high structural diversity provides an important taxonomic value for species differentiation

Investigation of Personalised Post-Reconstruction Positron Range Correction in 68Ga Positron Emission Tomography Imaging

Positron range limits the spatial resolution of Positron Emission Tomography, reducing image quality and accuracy. This thesis investigated factors affecting the magnitude of positron range, developed a personalised approach to range correction, and demonstrated the approach using simulated, phantom and patient data. The Geant4 Application for Emission Tomography software was utilised to model positron range when emitted by radionuclides, namely 18F and 68Ga, in water, bone and lung. The impact of range blurring in lungs was found to be ten times larger than in bone and four times larger than in water or soft tissue, regardless of the positron energy. Range effects occurring with different isotopes (18F and 68Ga) were evaluated across measurement and reconstructed spatial resolutions. It was found that range correction was not necessary when using 18F for voxel sizes larger than 4 mm. In contrast, range correction was required for images generated using 68Ga, particularly within or adjacent to the lung. An iterative, post-reconstruction range correction method was developed which relied only on the measured data. The correction method was validated in both simulation and phantom studies. Image quality and quantification accuracy of corrected images was shown to be superior when imaging with 68Ga. Importantly, the range correction suppressed and controlled image noise at high iteration numbers. Finally, in a patient study, image noise in regions of uniform uptake was significantly increased by ~2% (p<0.05), yet mean standardised uptake values remained unchanged after correction, showing the same uptake for normal radionuclide distributions. The lesion contrast and maximum uptake values were improved by 20% and 45%, respectively with statistical significance (p<0.05). Although these promising results show that the proposed method of range correction can be generalised to reconstructed images regardless of measurement system, acquisition parameters and radionuclides used, further research is warranted to improve the method, particularly with respect to removing or reducing the artefacts which were shown to impacted reader preference