Development of transgenic tobacco plants carrying the cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 1 gene of oil palm / Nur Afiqah Abdul Aziz

Lignin is a phenolic heteropolymer in secondary cell walls that plays a main role in the development of plants and defence against any pathogens. The biosynthesis of monolignols, which represents the important component of lignin involves large amount enzymes. The Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase (CAD) is a key enzyme in biosynthesis of lignin that catalyses the final step in the biosynthesis of monolignols. Based on previous sequence analysis, EgCAD1 is a bona fide CAD gene involves in lignin biosynthesis in oil palm. However, it is not supported by any scientific evidences. Functional study of the gene is required to prove the statement. Therefore, this study was performed to develop transgenic plants carrying the EgCAD1 gene from oil palm in order to provide materials for future functional study of the gene. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method was applied in this research to transform the tobacco leaf discs. Shoots were regenerated from the Agrobacterium-infected leaf discs. Subsequently, the shoots were subcultured on rooting medium to induce root formation. Multiple lines of transgenic tobacco plants were produced through this study. The transgenic plants developed in this study will permit one to identify the functions of EgCAD1 gene in future

Motivasi dan tahap penglibatan belia Felda dalam kesukarelawanan di Felda Bukit Rokan, Negeri Sembilan

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan hubungan antara motivasi dan tahap penglibatan belia dalam aktiviti sukarela di Felda Bukit Rokan, Negeri Sembilan. Objektif khusus kajian ini adalah untuk i) memperihalkan sosio demografi responden; ii) mengenal pasti dimensi dan tahap motivasi responden dalam aktiviti sukarela; iii) mengenal pasti jenis dan tahap penglibatan responden dalam aktiviti sukarela; dan iv) menentukan hubungan antara motivasi dan tahap penglibatan responden dalam aktiviti sukarela. Seramai 136 responden yang terdiri daripada 54.4 peratus lelaki dan 45.6 peratus perempuan terlibat dalam kajian ini. Responden dipilih melalui kaedah persampelan bertujuan. Data diperolehi dengan menggunakan borang soal selidik yang ditadbir sendiri oleh responden. Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) telah digunakan untuk mengukur motivasi sukarelawan, manakala tahap penglibatan diukur menggunakan alat ukuran yang dibina sendiri oleh penyelidik. Kedua-dua alat ukuran mempunyai nilai pekali kebolehpercayaan Cronbach’s alpha 0.939 dan 0.696. Analisis statistik yang digunakan adalah korelasi Pearson. Hasil kajian menunjukkan motif utama penglibatan responden dalam aktiviti sukarela adalah motif pemahaman, diikuti oleh motif nilai dan motif sosial. Manakala, jenis aktiviti utama yang disertai oleh belia adalah aktiviti sukarela berbentuk sukan, diikuti oleh aktiviti berbentuk khidmat sosial dan masyarakat serta aktiviti keagamaan. Selain itu, kajian turut mendapati tahap motivasi responden adalah tinggi, manakala tahap penglibatan dalam aktiviti kerja sukarela adalah sederhana. Keputusan analisis korelasi Pearson menunjukkan hubungan positif secara signifikan antara kesemua dimensi motivasi dengan tahap penglibatan responden dalam aktiviti sukarela (r = .547 hingga .649, p<.01). Kesimpulannya, motivasi sukarelawan iaitu motif untuk terlibat dalam aktiviti sukarela mempunyai hubungan dengan tahap penglibatan dalam aktiviti sukarela dalam kalangan belia di Felda. Justeru, untuk meningkatkan tahap penglibatan belia dalam aktiviti sukarela, faktor motivasi memainkan peranan yang penting, selain daripada menambahbaik penganjuran aktiviti-aktiviti sukarela di kawasan Felda

Exploring relationships between experience economy and satisfaction of visitors in rural tourism destination / Mazlina Mahdzar …[et al.]

This study explores the visitors' experience on rural tourism destination in Tadom Hill Resorts, Selangor. The satisfactions were classified into Four Experience Economy which comprises of education experience, entertainment experience, esthetics experience, and escapism experience. The Four Experience Economy has become the foundation to the research frameworks. The study was conducted in Banting, Selangor, a destination that is known for its own charm on rural destinations. A total of 383 questionnaires were collected from the visitors that visits Tadom Hill Resorts and visitors that had experience from Tadom Hill Resorts visits. Correlation analysis are performed to test the relationship between the variables. Based on the results, there is a positive relationship between the four realms of experience economy and visitors' satisfaction. The findings of this study prove that it is crucial to assist the tourism operations of Tadom Hill Resorts to provide the best facilities for visitors' satisfaction from aspects of educational experiences, entertainment experiences, esthetics experience, and escapism experience

Computer vision syndrome and blue light filtering lens wear in architecture community

INTRODUCTION: Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a multifaceted condition, displaying range of ocular and visual symptoms. To curb CVS, blue light filtering lens (BLFL) wear is promoted in reducing chronic radiation exposure from digital devices, reported to damaging the eyes. Nonetheless, the efficacy of BLFL is equivocal. This study aims to explore the influence of BLFL on CVS among architecture personnel – a susceptible community due to their work. METHODS: Student and professional architects provided info on computer exposure, awareness on CVS, ergonomic practices, and BLFL wear through a cross-sectional survey. CVS is identified when CVS-Q questionnaire score is ≥6. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors influencing the condition. RESULTS: Of 209 respondents, 43.5% were identified with CVS. The student and professional architects suffered from CVS similarly in prevalence (45.2%, n=42 vs. 42.2%, n=49) and severity suggested by the CVS-Q score (Median= 13.5 [interquartile range= 8.0─19.7] vs. 13.0 [8.50─15.0]). Sixty-eight percent with CVS indicated wearing BLFL, yet no significant effect was found with the non-wearing group (P=0.491). CVS is more likely to worsen by longer computer use (Odds ratio=3.80; 95% CI, 2.28─6.32; P 4 hours. Only 19.6% of them taking frequent breaks while working. CVS was also influenced by the lack of awareness on visual hygiene 20-20-20 rule (P=0.017). DISCUSSION: The notion of BLFL wear in reducing CVS requires cautious interpretation. Instead, taking frequent breaks could curb CVS as longer duration of computer use aggravated the condition. The 20-20-20 rule is a recommended visual hygiene practice to prevent CVS. It entails taking a 20-second break for every 20 minutes of computer use by looking at far (20 feet). As student and professional architects suffered from CVS similarly, imparting awareness on CVS and visual hygiene practices in architecture education is crucial to prevent the condition when working

Analysis of homocysteine metabolism enzyme gene polymorphisms in non-syndromic congenital heart disease patients among Malaysians

Congenital heart disease (CHD) mainly is caused by the incomplete development of the heart during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. Chromosomal and genetic abnormalities in the child and high levels of homocysteine in the blood are some of the risk factors related to CHD. Several studies in various populations have been done to determine the candidate genes in the predisposition to CHD with contradictory results, but there have been no studies that had been found in Malaysian CHD patients on homocysteine gene polymorphisms. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the allelic and genotypic analysis of the polymorphisms in candidate genes of the homocysteine enzymes; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR), Cystathionine-b-synthase (CBS), Methionine Synthase (MTR) and Methionine Synthase Reductase (MTRR) genes. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, buccal or blood samples were collected from 150 Malaysian non-syndromic CHD patients and 150 samples from healthy subjects as controls with no matching of age, genders and race between cases and controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples using commercially available kits and the genotyping analysis for C677T MTHFR, A1298C MTHFR, A66G MTRR, A2756G MTR and 844ins68 CBS gene polymorphisms were analyzed using PCR-RFLP analysis. There was a significant difference observed in MTHFR A1298C gene polymorphism between cases and controls (P=0.008). However, there was no significant difference was observed for MTHFR C677T, MTRR A66G, MTR A2756G and CBS 844ins68 gene polymorphism. The association of MTHFR A1298C with the development of CHD in this study emphasis the role of MTHFR gene in the pathogenesis of non-syndromic CHD in Malaysian subjects

Factor influences celebrity in politics / Izzatur Nadhirah Abdul Aziz…[et al.]

Celebrity means a famous person especially in entertainment or sport. This study is made to see whether celebrity makes an impact and influence people into choosing which political parties. The questionnaires were made via Google Docs and spread through social medias. The study involved 400 respondents selected through a purpose sampling method involving 4 different stage of ages in Malaysia. A cross sectional survey and structured questionnaires were used for data collection. All variables were measured through scales previously used by other researchers. No software was used in the analysis. Results shows that people between the age of _____ tends to believe that educated celebrities do influence people easily (M = __) then popularity (M = __)

King Mango Enterprise : "Mango Crisps" / Nur Hanani Masirun...[et.al]

King Mango Enterprise is a "Halal" food product that produce by Muslim company that mainly focuses on the production of mango crisp in the area of Malacca. This business company was run by a General Manager and another 4 other manager which is Administration, Operation, Marketing, and Financial Manager. Each of this manager have different types of task and play an important role in making this business run well and achieve their target. This mango product can be snack food for all types age. This mango crisps also have preservative product and it was safe to eat. Although mango crisp product was new product, but we are confident that this product can fulfill the costumer interest and taste. The uniqueness of this product and the quality of the raw material that we use in producing this product will surely fresh and easily attract the customer to buy it. Next, Marketing manager also non-stop searching opportunity to expand this mango crisps not only in Malacca but also other region such as Johor, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. As the business expand, so King Mango Enterprise can give the opportunity for the jobless people to fulfill the vacancy as we need more workers. Besides that, we want to increase the quantity of Bumiputera involve in business and become successful entrepreneur. Therefore, we can help and open the opportunity for the rural people in the rural area in making job and help them to increase their level of income. In the other hand, we also can improve the development of the country's economy. Last but not least, we really hope that this product can enter Malaysia's market and next become one of the leading brand of food product in Malaysia

Analysis of selected glutathione S-transferase gene polymorphisms in Malaysian type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without cardiovascular disease

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is believed to be associated with excessive production of reactive oxygen species. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) polymorphisms result in decreased or absent enzyme activity and altered oxidative stress, and have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The present study assessed the effect of GST polymorphisms on the risk of developing T2DM in individuals of Malaysian Malay ethnicity. A total of 287 subjects, consisting of 87 T2DM and 64 CVD/T2DM patients, as well as 136 healthy gender- and age-matched controls were genotyped for selected polymorphisms to evaluate associations with T2DM susceptibility. Genomic DNA was extracted using commercially available kits, and GSTM1, GSTT1, and α-globin sequences were amplified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Biochemical parameters were measured with a Hitachi autoanalyzer. The Fisher exact test, the chi-square statistic, and means ± standard deviations were calculated using the SPSS software. Overall, we observed no significant differences regarding genotype and allele frequencies between each group (P = 0.224 and 0.199, respectively). However, in the combined analysis of genotypes and blood measurements, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, and triglyceride levels, followed by age, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, and history of T2DM significantly differed according to GST polymorphism (P ˂ 0.05). Genetically induced absence of the GSTT1 enzyme is an independent and powerful predictor of premature vascular morbidity and death in individuals with T2DM, and might be triggered by cigarette smoking’s oxidative effects. These polymorphisms could be screened in other ethnicities within Malaysia to determine further possible risk factors

Generation of 1.55 micron pulsed fibre laser using graphene oxide and zinc oxide as a saturable absorber / Nur' Afiqah Abdul Aziz

This research work aims at exploring various new materials for saturable absorber (SA) application in generating Q-switching pulses train operating at 1.5 μm region. These nanomaterials are graphene oxide (GO) and zinc oxide (ZnO). The fibre lasers employ Erbium-doped fibre (EDF) as an amplification medium. Firstly, passive Q-switched Erbium Doped Fibre Lasers (EDFLs) have been successfully demonstrated using the newly developed GO film based SAs based on two different host polymers; Poly (Vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and Poly (Methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The GO material was obtained through chemical oxidation of graphite. By incorporating GO PMMA SA into an EDFL set up, sturdy Q-switched pulses train were generated to operate in a wavelength of 1531.6 nm as the pump power being tuned within vary of 11.8 to 83.0 mW. The repetition rate was tunable within 21.5 kHz to 68.7 kHz. The maximum pulse energy of 145 nJ and the minimum pulse duration of 6.12 μs were obtained at the pump power of 83.0 mW. The research proceeds with the GO PVA SA, where the Q-switched was realized with the repetition rate tunable from 32.45 kHz to 81.7 kHz. At the maximum pump, the highest single pulse energy and repetition rate of 109.30 nJ and 81.7 kHz were achieved. These results show that GO PMMA film operate excellent than PVA film in terms of operating pump power range and pulse energy. Later, two Q-switched EDFLs were also proposed and demonstrated using a ZnO based SA. It is worthy to note that the EDFL produces a stable Q-switched pulses train with a higher pulses energy when the polymer material was replaced from PMMA to PVA. The ZnO PVA film-based Q-switched laser operated at 1560.4 nm within the 980nm pump power range from 11.8 mW to 77.9 mW. At 77.9 mW pump power, the laser showed the repetition rate, pulse energy, and pulse duration of 61.43 kHz, 154.6 nJ, and 7.00 μs, respectively. These results show that both GO and ZnO materials have new potential for application in pulsed laser generation