Optimization model for assigning students to the residential halls in UUM

This research is about students enrolled to the residential halls at University Utara Malaysia (UUM). Each of the students are assigned to each residential hall by Students Accommodation Centre (SAC). In this study, we are focusing on 15 residential halls that UUM provided to all students. This research using quantitative methods for collecting of information through the questionnaires to choose which residential hall that students preferred to stay at UUM. This study involved 50 UUM students as the respondents. By applying mathematical programming, we are helping the administrators with the assignment process. As a result, we have established the accurate decision by using A Mathematical Programming Language (AMPL) software. The simple AMPL programming was used to solve the practical application by using some mathematical model to find an optimum solution. Moreover, this research aims to complete the residential hall placement of the students by the assignment problem by using mathematical programming method. The findings of the study will be used to increase knowledge on the issue of the appropriate residential hall placement for students

A preliminary study on MYO1H single nucleotide polymorphism (rs10850110) in mandibular prognathism in Malay population

Evidence suggests that several genes; including Myo1H, play an important role in the etiology of Class III malocclusion. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in marker rs10850110 (locus 12q24.11) within Myo1H gene has been associated with the incidence of mandibular prognathism (MP). MYO1H is a class 1 myosin which has been implicated in various motile processes including cytoskeleton reorganization. Therefore, genetic alteration in genes responsible for muscle function will also affect the skeletal growth. This study aimed to detect the presence of Myo1H (rs10850110) SNP and to determine its genotype and allele distribution in MP patient in the local population. The sample comprises of 31 patients; 14 patients from class I malocclusion (control samples) and 17 patients from class III malocclusion (MP). Cephalometric measurements were performed prior to saliva samples collection. The DNA was amplified using the specific primers for the marker rs10850110 and the genotyping was done by sequencing. Chi-square test was used to determine the over-representation of marker allele (p<0.05). Presence of Myo1H SNP (rs10850110) was detected in local population analysed and the distribution of its genotype and allele could be observed. There were significant differences between allele (p=0.000) and genotype (p=0.000) frequency within and between control (Class I) and Class III malocclusion. Our findings are in agreement with previous studies suggesting positive influence of Myo1H (rs10850110) SNP in the incidence of MP. Further studies should be developed in order to understand the exact role and mechanism of Myo1H in different classes of malocclusions. Clinical article (J Int Dent Med Res 2018; 11(2): pp. 607-613

The influence of adiabatic heat and combined blast load and fire loading on the response of mild steel plates

This paper study the influence of adiabatic heat and fire loading on the behaviour of unstiffened mild steel plates subjected to close-in blast loads using finite element (FE) analysis. A quarter-symmetry 3D FE model consists of the steel plate, clamps and bolts was developed using Abaqus/CAE. Classical plasticity model was used as the material model in the steel plate and bolts. The clamps were assumed as an elastic material. Temperature-material properties relationship according to Eurocode 3 and Masui model was assigned to the steel plate. Conwep function was used to simulate the blast loads. The influence of strain rates was considered in the steel plate using the Cowper-Symonds equation. The FE model of the unstiffened plates was verified and validated against experimental data from literature, where a good agreement was achieved. The results suggest the adiabatic heat in the steel plates does not significantly influence the behaviour of the steel plates in both temperature-material properties models. The study then investigated the effect of combined blast loads and fire loading on the response of steel plates. The fire loading was applied by increasing the temperature in the steel from 200 °C to 1000 °C. Excessive deformation and thinning of the plate at the central area of the plate was observed. The thinning at the central area is pronounce than the thinning of the plate at the boundary between the clamp and the steel plate. Hence, the FE analysis suggests that the failure might occur at the central area of the plate, which could suggest a tearing type of failure. This type of failure is common in plates subjected to close-in blast loads. Therefore, this study has shown that the effect of adiabatic heat is insignificant, and the combined blast-fire loading might cause a similar type of failure as in plates subjected to blast loads only

Comparative screening methods for the detection of biosurfactant-producing capability of Antarctic hydrocarbon-degrading Pseudomonas sp.

Four preliminary screening methods for biosurfactant synthesis - drop collapse assay, oil displacement activity, microplate assay and emulsification index (E24) were compared and evaluated for their reliability and ease of use. All screening methods showed positive indications for the synthesis of biological surface-active agents. Nevertheless, partial collapse of the supernatant and low emulsification index (E24) of Pseudomonassp. might signify a low production of biosurfactants. Based on our observation, both drop collapse and oil displacement assay is the fastest, easiest and most reliable analytical routine to be suggested to screen for biosurfactant producing strains. In the extent for a high throughput screening (HTS), drop collapse assay is the best method for an accurate screening of biosurfactant producers

Production of lipopeptide biosurfactant by a hydrocarbon-degrading antarctic Rhodococcus

Rhodococci are renowned for their great metabolic repertoire partly because of their numerous putative pathways for large number of specialized metabolites such as biosurfactant. Screening and genome-based assessment for the capacity to produce surface-active molecules was conducted on Rhodococcus sp. ADL36, a diesel-degrading Antarctic bacterium. The strain showed a positive bacterial adhesion to hydrocarbon (BATH) assay, drop collapse test, oil displacement activity, microplate assay, maximal emulsification index at 45% and ability to reduce water surface tension to < 30 mN/m. The evaluation of the cell-free supernatant demonstrated its high stability across the temperature, pH and salinity gradient although no correlation was found between the surface and emulsification activity. Based on the positive relationship between the assessment of macromolecules content and infrared analysis, the extracted biosurfactant synthesized was classified as a lipopeptide. Prediction of the secondary metabolites in the non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) clusters suggested the likelihood of the surface-active lipopeptide production in the strain’s genomic data. This is the third report of surface-active lipopeptide producers from this phylotype and the first from the polar region. The lipopeptide synthesized by ADL36 has the prospect to be an Antarctic remediation tool while furnishing a distinctive natural product for biotechnological application and research

Evaluation of beak and feather disease virus, avian polyomavirus and avian papillomavirus of captives psittacine birds in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia

Aims: Psittacine birds such as parrots, macaws, cockatoos, lovebirds and parakeets, are widely reared as household pets or at aviary due to their attractive features. However, the status of virus-causing diseases of psittacine species in Malaysia is fairly under-documented. Therefore, this study was aimed to detect the presence of three common avian viruses that infect psittacine birds, i.e. beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), avian polyomavirus and avian papillomavirus. Methodology and results: Faecal samples from twelve asymptomatic captive psittacine birds of different species were collected from an undisclosed animal garden in Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. Briefly, the sample was homogenised and resuspended with SM buffer with the ratio 1:1 (weight of sample/g: volume of SM buffer/mL) before centrifugation at 1,000 × g for 20 min. The supernatant was collected and filtered before subjected to genomic DNA extraction using a commercialised kit. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to screen the V1, VP1 and L1 genes of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), avian polyomavirus and avian papillomavirus, respectively. Findings revealed that the samples were negative for BFDV and avian polyomavirus. However, positive results of 1.5 kbp PCR amplicon were detected for avian papillomavirus in four out of the 12 samples (33.33%), which was from the white-crested cockatoo, African grey parrot, yellow-collared macaw and Senegal parrot. Sequence analysis of the L1 gene from the Senegal parrot Poicephalus senegalus revealed 93% identity to a reference Psittacus erithacus timneh avian papillomavirus. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: This study added to the limited prevalence data of three important avian viruses which infect captive psittacines in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia. Avian papillomavirus, but not BFDV and avian polyomavirus, was detected in the collected captive psittacine birds. Therefore, a routine screening can be performed to monitor the health status of birds despite their asymptomatic manifestation, in order to prevent possible virus transmission

Analysis Of MYO1H single nucleotide polymorphism in class III malocclusion with mandibular prognathism: A preliminary study

Introduction: Evidence suggests that several genes; including MYO1H, play an important role in the etiology of Class III malocclusion. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in marker rs10850110 (locus 12q24.11) within MYO1H gene has been associated with the incidence of mandibular prognathism (MP). MYO is a class 1 myosin that is responsible for the synthesis of Matrilin-1; an important protein involved in the formation of cartilage's extracellular matrix, hence is implicated in the formation of mandibular condyle cartilage. This study aimed to detect the presence of MYO1H (rs10850110) SNP and to determine its genotype and allele distribution in MP patient in the local population. Materials and Methods: The sample comprises of 31 patients; 14 patients from class I malocclusion (control samples) and 17 patients from class III malocclusion (MP). Cephalometric measurements were performed prior to saliva samples collection. The DNA was amplified using the specific primers for the marker rs10850110 and the genotyping was done by sequencing. Chi-square test was used to determine the over-representation of marker allele (p<0.05). Results: Presence of MYO1H SNP (rs10850110) was detected in local population analysed and the distribution of its genotype and allele could be observed. There were significant differences between allele (p=0.000) and genotype (p=0.000) frequency within control (Class I) and Class III malocclusion. Conclusion(s): Our findings are in agreement with previous studies suggesting positive influence of MYO1H (rs10850110) SNP in the incidence of MP. Further studies should be developed in order to understand the exact role and mechanism of MYO1H in different classes of malocclusions. KEYWORDS: malocclusion, mandibular prognathism, gene polymorphism, Myo1

Analysis Of MYO1H single nucleotide polymorphism in class III malocclusion with mandibular prognathism: A preliminary study

Introduction: Evidence suggests that several genes; including MYO1H, play an important role in the etiology of Class III malocclusion. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in marker rs10850110 (locus 12q24.11) within MYO1H gene has been associated with the incidence of mandibular prognathism (MP). MYO is a class 1 myosin that is responsible for the synthesis of Matrilin-1; an important protein involved in the formation of cartilage's extracellular matrix, hence is implicated in the formation of mandibular condyle cartilage. This study aimed to detect the presence of MYO1H (rs10850110) SNP and to determine its genotype and allele distribution in MP patient in the local population. Materials and Methods: The sample comprises of 31 patients; 14 patients from class I malocclusion (control samples) and 17 patients from class III malocclusion (MP). Cephalometric measurements were performed prior to saliva samples collection. The DNA was amplified using the specific primers for the marker rs10850110 and the genotyping was done by sequencing. Chi-square test was used to determine the over-representation of marker allele (p<0.05). Results: Presence of MYO1H SNP (rs10850110) was detected in local population analysed and the distribution of its genotype and allele could be observed. There were significant differences between allele (p=0.000) and genotype (p=0.000) frequency within control (Class I) and Class III malocclusion. Conclusion(s): Our findings are in agreement with previous studies suggesting positive influence of MYO1H (rs10850110) SNP in the incidence of MP. Further studies should be developed in order to understand the exact role and mechanism of MYO1H in different classes of malocclusions

The Tourism Industry Before and After the Pandemic Covid-19

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the Covid-19 pandemic's impact on different sectors, which in this case is the tourism industry Method: This study collects data from previous research from 2020 – 2022 and the recent statistical data gathered from the authorities' website sources to evaluate recent research on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on tourism sectors. Result: The global economic effects have forced significant adjustments in how firms may respond to and adapt to consumers' changing purchasing behaviors. That defines the tourism sector's decrease in the whole pandemic era before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Contribution: With this research, we hope it can help the community understand this matter better and that people will also know about this matter and how to overcome it

The tensile performance of r-PET bottle string: effects of different string sizes and cutting axes

Recently, plastic waste has become one of the global issues which contributes to severe environmental pollution and threatens marine life as it takes a longer time to decompose. This study was aimed to protect the environment by recycling waste materials to reduce solid wastes. Recycled polyethylene terephthalate string was used in the study to identify tensile properties. The main aim of this research was to identify the tensile strength properties by investigating different string sizes for the r-PET bottle (4 mm, 5 mm, and 6 mm) at different cutting axes (horizontal and vertical). According to ASTM D882-02, the tensile strength test was conducted with a load cell of 50 N and crosshead speed of 50 mm/min at room temperature. To reduce the possibility of nuisance factors that will affect the result, five repetitive tests were carried out and Minitab R.18 software was used to analyse the obtained data. Results revealed that the 4 mm string in both cutting axes demonstrated the highest strength of tensile performance and modulus elasticity