Strengthening Spiritual Practices among Community: Dhikr Activities in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Tarekat tasawuf has been established in Negeri Sembilan since 1900 and began to strengthen its existence in spiritual activities such as the implementation of zikr tarekat tasawuf activities among the local community. This article will highlight the impact of implementing the zikr activities tarekat tasawuf, which is implemented periodically on the spiritual strengthening of the community in Negeri Sembilan. A qualitative approach is used involving library studies, review of relevant documents, and interviews with the Registrar of Tarekat, Tasawuf Division of the Negeri Sembilan Mufti Department, and the Syeikh of the tarekat involved. Basically, there are 13 Sufi practice centers around Negeri Sembilan that conduct regular zikr activities that impact the community. The existence of tarekat practice centers in Negeri Sembilan has been plotted to see the distribution and centralization of tarekat centers. In addition, the form of zikr practiced in the zikr ceremony is also explained through a simple framework built. The results also showed that the Seremban district is the highest area with a tarekat practice center. Indirectly, the zikr activities, tarekat tasawuf, have provided space for the local community to engage in more systematic spiritual activities. The efforts implemented by the Sufi tarekat practice center in Negeri Sembilan are expected to be used as an example by other states in Malaysia so that the community is more interested in the Sufi tarekat zikr ceremony

A replacement of plant protein sources as an alternative of fish meal ingredient for African catfish, Clarias gariepinus: A review

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. This industry supplies half of the fisheries products consumed annually, and future global demand can only be supplied by increasing aquaculture production, which, in turn, requires more aquafeed. Alternative ingredients must be increasingly used to supply significant proportions of protein and energy in aquafeeds, creating both challenges and opportunities for researchers and industry. Nowadays, there are too many researches on fish disease, growth and health but less in a fish feed especially a replacement of protein from plant sources in the fish feed. One of the alternative ways to optimise the growth and health condition of the fish is provide them a good protein from plant as a replacement in fish meal with the natural source protein instead of giving a good rearing condition and caring of the fish. The present article was constructed to highlight a replacement of plant protein sources as an alternative of fish meal for fish feed in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus that has been done by researchers. However, the application of replacement from plant protein sources in fish meal is now gradually gaining importance in commercial aquaculture practices and opened the door for the researchers to expend of this application, thus more detailed studies on molecular basis should be looked as to get the quality and enough nutrient fish feed for good production of aquaculture industry

Polyherbal formulation conjugated to gold nanoparticles induced ferroptosis in drug-resistant breast cancer stem cells through ferritin degradation

Aim: Due to their minimal side effects, the anti-cancer properties of the polyherbal formulation are being investigated. However, due to their low absorption potential, the administration of polyherbal formulations is restricted. Loading the polyherbal formulation into gold nanoparticles enhances the bioavailability of the polyherbal formulation (PHF) accompanied by reducing the concentration of doxorubicin (dox). Ferroptosis is one of the novel pathways that specifically target cancer stem cells due to high ferritin levels. Hence, in the present study, we conjugated polyherbal formulation with gold nanoparticles and studied its effect on inducing ferroptosis in drug-resistant breast cancer cell lines.Materials and methods: PHF and dox conjugated to gold nanoparticles were characterized using FTIR, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, DLS, particle size analyzer, and XRD. The drug entrapment and efficiency studies were performed to assess the biodegradable potential of the synthesized gold nanoparticles. Paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer stem cells were generated, and an MTT assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity potential of AuNP-PHF and AuNP-dox. Scratch assay and clonogenic assay were performed to assess the migration and proliferation of the cells after treatment with chosen drug combinations. The ability of PHF and dox conjugated to gold nanoparticles to induce ferritinophagy was evaluated by RT-PCR. Finally, image analysis was performed to check apoptosis and cellular ROS using inverted fluorescent microscope. The ability to induce cell cycle arrest was assessed by cell cycle analysis using flow cytometer.Results and conclusion: PHF and dox conjugated to gold nanoparticles showed high stability and showed to induce ferritin degradation in drug resistant breast cancer stem cells through ferritin degradation. AuNP-PHF in combination with low dose of AuNP-Dox nanoconjugate could be used as an effective cancer therapeutic agent, by targeting the autophagy necroptosis axis

Enhancing quality of experience (QoE) in IM-Tahfiz framework for predictive acceptance influence of user screening test

Tahfiz teaching has become progressively more conventional and is growing as an essential educational course. This significance is in line with the prospect above that is placed on the ability of tahfiz schools to produce Quran memorising students who can thrive and improve the nation’s Islamic education. Due to this endeavour, the tahfiz learning management process must satisfy the user QoE related to the increasing student intake issues. These issues impact this education process due to insufficient tahfiz resources, infrastructure, and facilities. This paper proposes the Integrated Management Tahfiz (IM-Tahfiz) Framework’s suitability for selected education satisfaction at the empirical level. The primary purpose of this framework is about the Quality of Experience (QoE) based on user satisfaction for the screening test of stakeholder decision in selecting tahfiz centre to educate students. This framework design was implemented in three phases; data selection, where instruments and experiment setup gather resources from the mobile to the server to finalize data; user QoE setup, where the users’ data is obtained by using the Mean Opinion Score (MOS) to determine this matter’s solution regarding the suitability of tahfiz students to tahfiz centers; and execution phase, where both phases combine to finalize the data output. The final result illustrates the initial research question (RQ) was the factor that had effects on the problem of the tahfiz center that can be solved accordingly

Design and development of a small-scale 12S-14P outer rotor HEFSM

Simulation, prototype experimental, and mathematical modelling is an essential process to provide sufficient evidence before a full-scale development or mass production. Hence, this study focuses on validating a small scale of 12S-14P outer-rotor hybrid excitation flux switching motor (OR-HEFSM) through simulation, experimental, and mathematical modelling. The JMAG-Designer software as finite element solver is used to design and analyse the designed geometry structure. Throughout simulation process, the rotor design with direct drive structure as illustrated in Appendix A is chosen based on optimisation process. Thus, the generated back EMF, torque, and power through simulation at a speed of 1,200 r/min is 6.58 V, 16.4 Nm, and 12.4 kW, correspondingly. The designed model has been fabricated using actual prototype analysis (APA) approach, which is involves five stages, namely 3-D design, material selection, fabrication, assembly, and experimental test. The computer-aided software of SolidWorks is used to implement the first stage of APA while the prototype structure is fabricated using a computer numerical control (CNC) machine. The prototype has been tested experimentally using a measurement tool such as Fluke Analyser and oscilloscope. The back EMF showed a good agreement between simulation and preliminary experimental results with percentage differences approximately 5.1% at a speed of, 1,200 r/min. In contrast with the prediction results based on mathematical modelling using sizing equation, the calculated back EMF, torque, and power is 7.58%, 8.6%, and 8.4% higher than simulation results, respectively. Even so, the results had proven that the concept of three-phase working principle for small-scale 12S-14P OR-HEFSM with direct drive structure remained the same for simulation, experiment, and prediction

Palm date meal as a non-traditional ingredient for feeding aquatic animals: A review

Protein ingredients in aquafeed are one of the most important factors responsible for the development and sustainability of aquaculture. Currently, because of high costs and fluctuating production, some animal and plant protein sources are unable to satiate the increasing demand from the fish feed manufacturers. Aquatic animals’ nutritional requirements have been accorded particular focus with less costly feedstuff in aqua feed given extra weightage. There has been increasing attention in recent years on finding methods to recycle the animal and plant by-products for feed preparation. Due to its vital amino acid content as well as high protein composition, palm date meal (PDM) which is a renewable and sustainable resource is expected to be a viable raw material option for replacing protein ingredients (e.g., fish meal and soybean meal) or as a supplement in fish feed. PDM is an agro-industry by-product which left from dates as waste in several countries. This article reviewed the current research including the source, derivatives, and the potential of PDM as a possible alternative to the conventional plant and animal protein sources. Also, the added value of using PDM waste in aquafeed to reduce the feed cost, enhance this e growth rate of fish, improve the health and well-being of fish, and subsequently sustain the aquaculture industry. Therefore, this review paper will illuminate the possibility of PDM as a promising feed source and also the present knowledge and future perspectives about the application of PDM in aquaculture

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ALKYL-THIOLS MONOLAYER ON GLASS SUBSTRATES BY MICROCONTACT PRINTING

ABSTRACT Surface modification is a fascinating method to tailor the surface of material properties such as hydrophilicity, roughness, surface charge and many more. The modification is not only limited to solid materials, but could be possibly extended to particular liquid surfaces. In this paper, surface modification of glass slides with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of (3-Mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) was conducted by using a simple method of microcontact printing. Characterizations of the self-assembled monolayer were realized by 3 techniques; (1) Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to determine the height of self-assembled monolayer and obtain the topography image, (2) X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to further confirm the thiol groups were grafted on the surface and (3) Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy (CFM) to visualize the reaction between thiol terminal groups and fluorescent probe. From the experiment conducted, the result showed that the MPTMS was successfully stamped on glass substrates. AFM scanning images displayed the 0.8±0.2nm height of MPTMS, which matching the size of the MPTS molecules (0.7±0.05nm). XPS spectra indicated the appearance of the doublet structure in the S2p region (S2p3/2 and S2p1/2 levels of the S energy levels) with two peaks in binding energy of 162.8 and 163.8eV respectively. CFM imaging indicated the fluorescent patterns on glass substrates

Preparation and characterization of calcium hydroxyphosphate (hydroxyapatite) from tilapia fish bones and scales via calcination method

Calcium hydroxyphosphate (hydroxyapatite) is a calcium phosphate that is widely used in biomedical application. Hydroxyapatite is an excellent component for bone substitutes for their chemical and structural similarity to natural bone component. In this research, hydroxyapatite was synthesized from tilapia fish bones and scales using calcination method with 3 different temperatures namely 1000 °C, 900 °C and 800 °C. The obtained hydroxyapatite powder was characterized using several techniques such as Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy Attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), proximate analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that temperature 1000 °C has the highest weight loss with 21.825 g compared to the temperature 800 °C and 900 °C. From FTIR-ATR analysis, the presence of characteristic peaks for hydroxyl group, phosphate groups and water molecule indicated that the powder were hydroxyapatite. SEM results showed that increasing temperature had led to more dense structure. The hydroxyapatite powder were further analysed for their proximate analysis. The results proved that the highest contents of ash, fat, moisture and crude protein were observed at 1000 °C as compared to 900 °C and 800 °C. Based on this study, it revealed that produced pure hydroxyapatite from natural resources could be a potential candidate for food industry as protein enhancer

Effects of a high-dose 24-h infusion of tranexamic acid on death and thromboembolic events in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (HALT-IT): an international randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Tranexamic acid reduces surgical bleeding and reduces death due to bleeding in patients with trauma. Meta-analyses of small trials show that tranexamic acid might decrease deaths from gastrointestinal bleeding. We aimed to assess the effects of tranexamic acid in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods: We did an international, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 164 hospitals in 15 countries. Patients were enrolled if the responsible clinician was uncertain whether to use tranexamic acid, were aged above the minimum age considered an adult in their country (either aged 16 years and older or aged 18 years and older), and had significant (defined as at risk of bleeding to death) upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients were randomly assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Patients received either a loading dose of 1 g tranexamic acid, which was added to 100 mL infusion bag of 0·9% sodium chloride and infused by slow intravenous injection over 10 min, followed by a maintenance dose of 3 g tranexamic acid added to 1 L of any isotonic intravenous solution and infused at 125 mg/h for 24 h, or placebo (sodium chloride 0·9%). Patients, caregivers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. The primary outcome was death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation; analysis excluded patients who received neither dose of the allocated treatment and those for whom outcome data on death were unavailable. This trial was registered with Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN11225767, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01658124. Findings: Between July 4, 2013, and June 21, 2019, we randomly allocated 12 009 patients to receive tranexamic acid (5994, 49·9%) or matching placebo (6015, 50·1%), of whom 11 952 (99·5%) received the first dose of the allocated treatment. Death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation occurred in 222 (4%) of 5956 patients in the tranexamic acid group and in 226 (4%) of 5981 patients in the placebo group (risk ratio [RR] 0·99, 95% CI 0·82–1·18). Arterial thromboembolic events (myocardial infarction or stroke) were similar in the tranexamic acid group and placebo group (42 [0·7%] of 5952 vs 46 [0·8%] of 5977; 0·92; 0·60 to 1·39). Venous thromboembolic events (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) were higher in tranexamic acid group than in the placebo group (48 [0·8%] of 5952 vs 26 [0·4%] of 5977; RR 1·85; 95% CI 1·15 to 2·98). Interpretation: We found that tranexamic acid did not reduce death from gastrointestinal bleeding. On the basis of our results, tranexamic acid should not be used for the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding outside the context of a randomised trial

The Concept Of Zikir Al-Muqayyad According To The Sunna Perspective: A Study Of The Case In The Majlis Zikir Of The State Of Nine Tasawuf Thariqa, Malaysia

This study focuses on the practice of zikir in the mode of standing and seating on zikir ceremony of sufi’s tarekat in Negeri Sembilan. The problem began when the allegations arose the practice of dhikr in zikir ceremony is not parallel with the Quran and al-Sunah. Therefore, this study evaluates the method of practicing zikir al-muqayyad practiced in the zikir ceremony in sufi’s centre Negeri Sembilan according to the al-Sunah. Zikir ceremonies in sufi’s centre Negeri Sembilan as the focus of the study on the capacity between inter-states that actively hold zikir ceremonies on a regular basis. This study uses a qualitative methodology that is descriptive analysis through observation methods and interviews with sheikh tarekat in Negeri Sembilan which is used as supporting data. The analytical mechanism for field data uses hadith as the main evidence, supported by the evidence of the Qur'an as well as the debate of scholars to see the parallelism of the practice of zikir al-muqayyad guided by the al-Sunnah. The findings show that there are two methods of zikir al-muqayyad that are practiced, namely setting a certain number and reciting dhikr according to the setting of time. This method of dhikr aims to discipline tarekat practitioners to increase zikr and it is a method that complies with the sunnah of the Prophet SAW and has also been practiced by the Salaf generation