The effects of fish gender on susceptibility to acute Streptococcus agalactiae infection in Javanese medaka Oryzias javanicus

This study describes the susceptibility of different fish gender following acute Streptococcus agalactiae infection by using Javanese medaka Oryzias javanicus as test fish. The fish were grouped into four groups, which were: (1) all-male; (2) all-female; (3) mixed-gender (1 male: 1 female ratio); and (4) control non-infected (1 male: 1 female ratio). The fish in group 1, 2 and 3 were intraperitoneally exposed to 5.4 × 108 CFU/mL of S. agalactiae, while for group 4, the fish were exposed using sterile broth. The main clinical signs and histopathological changes of infected Javanese medaka were commonly observed in S. agalactiae infected fishes. However, no difference on clinical signs and histopathological changes of fish in group 1, 2 and 3 were noticed. The Javanese medaka mortality in group 1, 2 and 3 were observed from 4 h post infection (hpi) to 6 hpi, with the cumulative mortality from 3% to 30%. Then, the mortality increased at 12 hpi, with the range from 53% to 80%. However, 100% of the infected fish dead at 24 hpi. No clinical sign, histopathological change and fish mortality recorded in group 4. Generally, the clinical signs, mortality patterns, cumulative mortality and histopathological changes of Javanese medaka infected by S. agalactiae did not show any difference between the all-male, all-female and mixed-gender groups. This indicates that the susceptibility of fish to S. agalactiae infection is not influenced by their gender

Performance Analysis of a Monopole Antenna with Fluorescent Tubes at 4.9GHz Application.

This paper presents of analysis the performance monopole antenna with fluorescent tubes. The antenna was designed at the operating frequency which is 4.9 GHz. The commercially fluorescent tubes consist of a glass tube filled with mixture mercury vapor and argon gas. After get sufficient voltage the gas inside the fluorescent tube will ionize to plasma and formed plasma column. The plasma frequency is equal to 5.634e11 Hz. The plasma is highly conducting and acts as a reflector. When all of the tubes surrounding the antenna are electrified, the radiation is trapped inside when the plasma frequency is greater than radio frequency. An accomplishment of the design has been carried out using CST microwave studio software. The developed antenna has potential in military application. To conclude, antenna’s performance was analyzed in terms of return loss, radiation pattern and gain. Keywords : Plasma, monopole antenna, return loss, radiation pattern, gain

Kritik al-Quran oleh Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd melalui terapan hermeneutics humanistic

Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd dikenali sebagai seorang tokoh yang lantang mengkritik al-Quran pada abad ini. Beliau mempunyai metode yang tersendiri ketika mentafsir al-Quran iaitu mengaplikasi hermeneutik dengan menerapkan elemen humanistic. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis elemen humanistic yang dibawa oleh Abu Zayd dalam empat aspek iaitu definisi al-Quran, konsep bahawa wahyu, proses penurunan wahyu dan metode pentafsiran. Empat aspek tersebut dibandingkan secara berterusan dengan al-Quran dan al-Sunnah. Untuk mencapai validity data, artikel yang bersifat kualitatif ini menggunakan metode analisis kandungan yang terdiri daripada karyakarya Abu Zayd sebagai sumber pengumpulan data. Manakala analisis data menggunakan kaedah diskriptif dan perbandingan berterusan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan, elemen humanistic yang telah diterapkan kepada al-Quran telah mencetuskan implikasi terhadap al- Quran, konsep wahyu, tafsiran relatif dan liberalisasi hukum syariah

A Hybrid Spiral-Genetic Algorithm for Global Optimization

Genetic algorithm (GA) is a well-known population-based optimization algorithm. GA utilizes a random approach in its strategy which inspired from a biological process of a chromosome alteration. Chromosomes which consists of several genes are randomly self-altered their own structure and also randomly combined their structure with other chromosomes. The unique biological process has inspired many researchers to develop an optimization algorithm. Yet, the algorithm still popular and is adopted as a tool to solve many complex problems. On the other hand, Spiral Dynamic Algorithm (SDA) is a relatively new population-based algorithm inspired by a natural spiral phenomenon. It utilizes a deterministic approach in its strategy. Movement of a search point from one location to another in a form of a spiral trajectory and relies on pre-defined parameters. However, both algorithms suffer a pre-matured convergence and tend to trap into a local optima solution. This paper presents an improved algorithm called a Hybrid Spiral-Genetic Algorithm. The algorithm is developed based on a combination of the wellknown GA and the SDA. The spiral equation of the SDA is adopted into the GA to enhance both exploration and exploitation of the original GA. The algorithm is tested with several benchmark functions of a single-objective algorithm and compared with the original SDA and GA. The result of the test shows that the proposed algorithm outperformed its predecessor algorithms significantly

Implementation of self-directed learning in enhancing skills dedicated to the community college teaching staff

Self-directed learning is a type used in the teaching force that requires high knowledge during the teaching and learning process. Self-learning requires educators to constantly improve their skills to prepare before teaching and learning. The purpose of this study is to learn self-study in Community College students. This study utilized a survey method which employed 169 Community College lecturers in Johor using questionnaire form. Overall, the results show a high percentage of strategies for drunkenness and self-directed learning. Therefore, this study found that there are several strategies for self-directed learning implemented by Johor Community College. These strategies have the advantage and potential in enhancing the existing skills of the teaching staff. Next, the highest implementation is carried out in open discussion. Open discussion can generate new ideas in the teaching force. Therefore, this information can assist lecturers in learning self-directed learning for their students

Effect of cavity thickness on copper alloy corrosion resistance

This investigation inspects on the effect of cavity’s thickness during metal casting process on the corrosion resistance of copper alloy product. As the thickness increases, the cooling rate becomes higher due to higher latent heat available in the thicker and larger cavity volume. As such the quantity of Dendritic Arm Spacing, DAS and its Secondary, SDAS per unit area becomes higher. This eventually results in better properties such as the higher hardness and good corrosion resistance because its correlation with DAS and SDAS distribution in the microstructure. The copper alloy used in this project is Nickel Aluminium Bronze (NAB) alloy which consists of elements such as the copper, aluminium, iron, nickel and manganese. Sand casting process has been used and the NAB alloys have been fabricated according to the ASTM B148 UNS 95,800 standards with the usage of 1.1% degassing agent. A range of product cavity’s thickness have been fabricated for gating system and proper machining processes have been carried out to prepare the specimens for the immersion test. The specimens were immersed in sea water for a period of 17 weeks and changes in the specimen mass and pH and TDS values of the sea water used was measured. The data analysis revealed that the specimens were not corroded yet for the period of 17 weeks as there are not much changes in the specimen mass. The pH and TDS values are showing changes but these changes are very small comparatively

Cartilaginous properties of nucleus pulposus cells seeded on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based scaffolds

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine has the potential of improving the quality of life for many people. One particular area that presents an exciting challenge is the regeneration of intervertebral discs (IVD). To achieve this, it is necessary to identify suitable cells, biomaterial scaffolds and biologically active signalling factors for in vitro and in vivo IVD generation. This present study aimed to evaluate the cartilaginous properties of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells seeded on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) with or without fibrin scaffolds by measuring sulphated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content and collagen type II (COL-II) gene expression. The analyses were performed at week 1, 2, and 3 in vitro. The sGAG content was higher in the PLGA/Fibrin than in the PLGA only group. The expression of COL-II was only detected at week-2 culture in PLGA/Fibrin group. This study indicates that PLGA-based scaffolds may have the potential for intervertebral discs tissue engineering

Implementation of self-directed learning in enhancing skills dedicated to the community college teaching staff

Self-directed learning is a type used in the teaching force that requires high knowledge during the teaching and learning process. Self-learning requires educators to constantly improve their skills to prepare before teaching and learning. The purpose of this study is to learn self-study in Community College students. This study utilized a survey method which employed 169 Community College lecturers in Johor using questionnaire form. Overall, the results show a high percentage of strategies for drunkenness and self-directed learning. Therefore, this study found that there are several strategies for self-directed learning implemented by Johor Community College. These strategies have the advantage and potential in enhancing the existing skills of the teaching staff. Next, the highest implementation is carried out in open discussion. Open discussion can generate new ideas in the teaching force. Therefore, this information can assist lecturers in learning self-directed learning for their students

Effects of micronutrient on growth and micronutrient content of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.)

Requirement of micronutrients for yield maximization of BARI Hybrid Maize 5 was studied under field condition. The highest grain yield of maize of 10.1 t/ha was obtained with the application of Zn along with recommended NPKS. The Zn application alone produces about 50% yield benefits compared to control. The concentration of macronutrients (N, P, K and S) in maize grain and straw remained unaffected while concentration of micronutrients (Zn, B, Cu, Mn and Fe) increased significantly due to their application. The result clearly indicated the necessity of applying 3 kg Zn/ha along with recommended doses of NPKS for yield maximization of BARI Hybrid Maize 5 in Old Brahmaputra Floodplain soil