Investigating the mechanotransduction by two-photon fluorescence microscopy measurement of intracellular free energy of binding

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2008.Includes bibliographical references (p. 99-108).Force, due either to haemodynamic shear stress or relayed directly to the cell through adhesion complexes, is transmitted and translated into biological signals. This process is known as mechanotransduction. Extensive studies have been carried out on the signaling pathways involved in mechanotransduction. However, the mechanism(s) of mechanotransduction has yet to be fully understood. This thesis focuses on the measurement of the intracellular binding constant between focal adhesion proteins of interest, GFP-Paxillin and FAT-mCherry, using two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy and the utility of it as a measure of protein conformational change. The hypothesis tested is that force-induced changes in protein conformation alter inter-protein binding affinity. A comprehensive toolkit that utilizes fluorescence microscopy techniques, Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) and its corollary, Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM), as well as Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS), was developed. A procedure by which low photon counts cell data from FLIM could be included in global analysis fits and be corrected for was developed. This results in the recovery of maximum information from cellular data. Successful intracellular FCS measurements were combined with FLIM global analysis data to calculate the free energy of binding between GFP-Paxillin and FAT-mCherry. Results demonstrate that inter-cell heterogeneity exists and likely gives rise to differences in measured AIG. The application of these measurement techniques to cells experiencing 10% step strain shows that inter-protein binding is tighter upon stretch application. The source of this change is not clear, though Tyr phosphorylation has been ruled out by biochemical disruption of kinase activity.by Nur Aida Abdul Rahim.Ph.D

The role of Melaka Historical City Council (MHCC) in influencing international tourist motivation to visit Melaka for Melaka’s cultural tourism / Nurul Aida Abdul Rahim

In 2008, Melaka was awarded as one of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. With this award, it enables Malacca to use the award as leverage to boost its cultural tourism industry. Although Malacca is an important heritage site in Malaysia, but there is no much research being done to study the tourist’s behaviour in Melaka. The main objective of this research project is to conduct an exploratory study on the relationship between tourist motivation and their destination choice, consumption behavior and source of information. Through this research project, the underlying tourist’s behaviours such as motivation, destination choice, consumption behaviour, and sources of information would be studied and analysed. This study was conducted at the Old Fort A’-Famosa, Stadhuys Building Banda Hilir and Spice Garden Sungai Melaka with 50 respondents of foreign tourists. From the study findings, there is a significant relationship between each variable. The international tourists stated that relaxation and exploring as their main motivation to visit Melaka. For destination choice dimension, foreign tourists considered visiting heritage site as a necessity compared to local tourists. In consumption behavior, the less they spend the higher motivation to visit Melaka. Meanwhile, most of the foreign tourists will stay more than two nights in Malacca. Finally, the most vital source of information for the potential tourists is words of mouths from the previous tourists to Melaka. At the end of chapter five, some recommendations is proposed to help the relevant stakeholders to enhance the cultural tourism industry in Melaka. Based on this finding on local and foreign tourist’s behavior, government agency, local authority and tour operators can work simultaneously to develop and propel the cultural tourism in Melaka to the international stag

Anomalous right pulmonary artery from the aorta

Anomalous origin of the right pulmonary artery is a rare form of congenital heart disease. It usually presents in early infancy with heart failure and rapid development of pulmonary hypertension. There are about 131 cases reported in the literature and we report one such case.peer-reviewe

Challenges in Sustainable Supply Chain Management of Live Animal Trading: A Case Study of Live Animal Industry in Malaysia

There are various challenges of the live animal industry, not just in Malaysia but also to many parts of the world. This study focuses on the supply chain management of live animal trading in Malaysia. This study aims to investigate the challenges specifically in supply chain management areas in the live animal trading. A total of 20 semi-structured interviews have been carried out with a few companies involved in the industry and a few officers from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS). The premises of the companies also have been observed a day earlier before the interview. The data gathered from the observation as well as from the interview and literature review were analysed using TOWS analysis. The findings show that the industry is facing multiple challenges based on their strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities that being offered and the threats that they faced, which are vital for their business continuity.  This study also highlights the essential problems to focus on and formulate strategies to achieve competitive advantages and sustainable supply chain management, especially to the practitioners in the live animal trading industry

Factors that Influence Customers’ Intention to Visit Green Hotels in Malaysia

In recent years, the hospitality Industry has overcome numerous challenges to initiate green practices. Greater interest in customers green behaviours has led the hotel industry to practice more environmentally friendly activities. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors that influence customers in visiting green hotels in Malaysia. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) has been embedded to investigate the factors. Data was collected via questionnaires through online by invitation through email and offline from travellers in selected airports. IBM SPSS Statistics software was used to analyse the data. The results discovered that attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and environmental concern significantly influence customers in visiting green hotels. Meanwhile, attitudes mediate subjective norms and perceived behavioural control and finally attitudes, and perceived behavioural control possess a positive relationship with the environmental concern of visitors in visiting green hotels. Findings from this research can help the Malaysian government and hoteliers to integrate the research framework in their current business model and imposed more effective strategies on a green environment in developing green hotels

Investigation of Supplier Selection Criteria that Leads to Buyer-Supplier Long Term Relationship for Semiconductor Industry

Selecting the right supplier has been the greatest challenge in supply chain management (SCM) in many industries. Large spool of suppliers in industry and diversity of purchasing scope causes a wide variety of supplier selection criteria. The right strategy in fixing the criteria for supplier selection is crucial, to ensure smooth supply chain operation. It is believed that in SCM, a good relationship with suppliers will further benefit the operations of both buyers and suppliers. This research attempts to investigate the supplier selection criteria that leads to buyer-supplier long term relationship, especially for the semiconductor industry in Penang, Malaysia. In this study, the focus is to identify the critical supplier selection criteria such as supplier quality, performance delivery, supply service, cost and estimate their influence towards buyer’s satisfaction which later on, narrate a path for a buyer-supplier long term relationship. Two hundred eighty-eight respondents with a minimum one year of working experience in handling suppliers in the semiconductor industry in Penang, Malaysia, participated in this research. Smart PLS was used to conduct hypotheses testing while confirming the validity and reliability of the data collected from the survey. The finding of this research shows that supplier quality, performance delivery, and supply service criteria are significant for the buyer-supplier long term relationship. The outcome of this research will help semiconductor companies to have a set of best criteria for supplier selection. Later, it could help them establish long term relationship with the supplier to benefit their supply chain operations, and at the same time ensuring the growth, survival and sustainability of their supplier business

Challenges in sustainable supply chain management of live animal trading: a case study of live animal industry in Malaysia

There are various challenges of the live animal industry, not just in Malaysia but also to many parts of the world. This study focuses on the supply chain management of live animal trading in Malaysia. This study aims to investigate the challenges specifically in supply chain management areas in the live animal trading. A total of 20 semi-structured interviews have been carried out with a few companies involved in the industry and a few officers from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS). The premises of the companies also have been observed a day earlier before the interview. The data gathered from the observation as well as from the interview and literature review were analysed using TOWS analysis. The findings show that the industry is facing multiple challenges based on their strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities that being offered and the threats that they faced, which are vital for their business continuity. This study also highlights the essential problems to focus on and formulate strategies to achieve competitive advantages and sustainable supply chain management, especially to the practitioners in the live animal trading industry

Shipper’s perceptions of aviation Logistics Service Quality (LSQ) of air freight provider

This research investigates logistics service quality of the air freight provider from a shipper's perspective in Malaysia. The multiple empirical case studies are used to collect data from the shipper's perspective. Findings suggest there are five main factors that represent air freight service quality of the air freight provider. They are ground handler attitude, fast delivery, communication and information sharing, product reliability and price. These findings contribute to the current theory of Logistics Service Quality (LSQ) with specifically enhance our understanding of air freight service quality. These findings contribute to the current theory of air freight service quality where it is still underdeveloped. This research studies LSQ from shippers perspective only. Findings from this study has developed better our current understanding of logistics service, particularly in air freight sector. Thus, this study is pioneer that offers a study on LSQ in air freight perspective and explore the elements of air freight service quality. Findings from this study not only enhance current knowledge on air freight LSQ but also assist the government to help air freight provider to support themselves as a preparation to become the major player of Aeropolis city in Malaysia

Sustainable leadership practices among school leaders and their relationship with school climate

Sustainable leadership practices ensure that the mission and vision of a school continue despite changes and challenges. Such a practice can build the capacity of the organization based on the environment, especially in shaping a better school climate. Past studies have found a significant link between school leadership practices and the school climate. However, there has been little discussion about the phenomenal relationship the in rural national secondary school (SMK) context. Hence, this study aimed to identify the level of sustainable leadership practices of principals and their relationship with the school climate in rural SMK in Malaysia. A total of 450 teachers were selected to participate in the study using proportionate random sampling and questionnaires were adopted as the research method. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the research population located in rural areas, data were collected through the mail. The findings showed that the level of sustainable leadership practices of the principals was high (M=4.18, SD=0.52), along with a high level of the school climate (M=4.14, SD=0.51). Sustainable leadership practices were also positively associated with school climate (r=0.607, p<0.05). These findings can be used by the Ministry of Education Malaysia to enhance sustainable leadership practices in the national education leaders professional qualifications designed specifically for future school leaders in Malaysia. In this regard, it is hoped that these findings will enrich the literature on sustainable leadership practices and the school climate