Export and Import Cointegration in Forestry Domain: The Case of Malaysia

This study was undertaken to explore the relationship between the export and import in the category of Forestry domain for Malaysia which includes sub domain (1)industrial roundwood; (2)wood pulp; (3)wood fuel; (4) paper and paper board; (5) sawn wood; (6) recovered paper and (7)wood base panel. Johansen (1991) cointegration method was employed and the period of the study covers monthly data from 1961 to 2007. The results clearly show that the export and import of forestry domain is highly cointegrated. Bi-directional granger causality could be detected based on VECM method. Imports seems to positively and significantly affect exports, both in the long run and short run, vice versa.Johansen cointegration test; forestry trade; VECM

Perception of Muslim Consumers Towards Halal Branding in Advertising

The study is an eye opener into areas of Islamic Marketing that are becoming more substantial and have not been addressed. In advertisements, Halal is considered a brand that holds significant value for Muslim consumers. Furthermore, Halal branding especially in advertising has emerged as a new type of marketing advertisement. Such emergence has caused businesses to reconsider their advertising approach to attract new and retain old consumers. The study is aimed at providing an enhanced understanding on the role of advertising and branding towards Halal consumption. The role is further studied upon through extensive literature review and empirical data collection involving Muslim consumers. Analysis of data collected implied that existing insights on religious consumption is lopsided compared to the blooming Halal market particularly the perception of Muslim consumers towards Halal branding. Findings thus not only affect Muslim consumers, marketers, the government but also impact the society

Mixed Ligand Complexes of quinoline-2-carboxylic acid and 4,4/-dimethyl-2,2/-bipyridyl with V(IV),Cr(III), Rh(III), Cd(II) and Pt(IV)

A new mixed ligand complexes were prepared by reaction of quinoline -2-carboxylic acid (L1) and 4,4?dimethyl-2,2?-bipyridyl (L2) with V(IV),Cr(III), Rh(III), Cd(II) and Pt(IV) ions. These complexes were isolated and characterized by (FT-IR) and (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, flame atomic absorption technique, thermogravimetric analysis, in addition to magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements. Most complexes were mononuclear and with octahedral geometry, except Cd (II) with tetrahedral geometry, and V (IV) with square pyramidal geometry. A theoretical treatment of the ligands and the prepared complexes in gas phase was done using two programs Hyperchem.8 and Gaussian program (GaussView Currently Available Versions (5.0.9) along with Gaussian 09 which is the latest in the Gaussian series of programs)

Reclassifying forest type to a new forest class based on vegetation and lithology characteristics using geographic information system at southern Johore, Malaysia

Recently forest resources management with regard to precision forestry concept has been highlighted by forest managers, in order to fulfill the demand on quality and reliable information about forest area. According to the Malaysian National Forestry Act 1984, forest is classified into several types by general classification which is based on vegetation types broadly into dipterocarp forest, peat swamp forest and mangrove forest. In applying precision forestry approach, details classification and information are required to render more accurate about managed forest. Therefore, this study was carried out to reclassify forest type to a new forest class based on vegetation and lithology characteristic using GIS technique. Ten new classes were successfully generated and mapped by fusing layer of forest vegetation types and lithology layer in Southern Johore, namely Dipterocarp-Igneous, Dipterocarp-Sediment, Dipterocarp-Alluvial, Peat-Igneous, Peat-Sediment, Peat-Alluvial, Mangrove-Igneous, Mangrove-Sediment, Mangrove-Alluvial and Limestone forest. In this study, Syzygium spp. (19.83 %) was found in abundance in two new forest classes; Dipterocarp-Igneous and Dipterocarp-Sediment forest in Hulu Sedili Permanent Forest Reserve (PFR). Beside that, Elateriospermum tapos (9.92 %) and family of Lauraceae (7.22 %) were found to be the most dominant species in the Dipterocarp-Sediment forest, while Macaranga spp. (11.21 %) and Elateriospermum tapos (11.02 %) found dominant in Dipterocarp-Igneous forest. From the sample plot, Dipterocarpaceae family constituted only 3.09 % whereas the non-Dipterocarpaceae family was 96.91 %. Hence, this study indicated that there is variation in species dominancy at different lithology of the same forest vegetation site

Digitizing radiology films using flat-bed scanner and produce a multimedia digital teaching file in musculoskeletal radiology

Digital images have been long established in radiology department. Despite this, most radiology teaching films has been film-based. The drawback of this conventional system is that it consumed space, only one user can use at any one time and expensive. Analogue radiology films were digitized using flatbed scanner with transparency adaptor and digital camera. Digital-based teaching files using personal computer (PC) should be encouraged as this will reduce space for storing, can be distributed without much cost, inexpensive, many users can use at the same time and others can use even though at different place using the internet. The teaching file was prepared using HyperText Mark-up Language (HTML) as this can be used using any web browser. It is now available in University Sains Malaysia, Kelantan Campus Branch (USMKCK) intranet

Culture and Food Security of The Mowewe Community During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Food is a critical aspect of community resilience. The Covid-19 pandemic, however, has affected the natural environment, making food supply scarce and ultimately impacting economic and national stability. Despite this, the Mowewe community shares a local culture by which its people get empowered to maintain food security. Therefore, this study aims to discover and describe the local community's culture in Mowewe District in establishing a food security system. The method used was ethnography with a qualitative approach. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, after which the data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive techniques. The findings revealed that the local culture of the Mowewe community was built upon the concept of Mekambare, principles of gotong royong (cooperation), and ecological adaptation. The Mowewe community was of deep concern for the pattern of life balance during the pandemic. They took advantage of natural resources by clearing agricultural land to grow rice, corn, patchouli, and sago and keeping bees in the forest to produce honey for an additional source of income and immunit

A Nationwide Study Comparing Knowledge and Beliefs about HPV among Female Students before and after HPV Vaccination

Study Objective To assess the knowledge and beliefs regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine among girls before and after vaccination in the Malaysian HPV Immunisation Programme. Design A nationwide longitudinal survey. Setting Thirty-two randomly selected schools from 13 states and 3 federal territories in Malaysia from February to March 2013, and October to November 2013. Participants Form One female students (13-year-old). Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Mean knowledge score of HPV infection. Results A total of 2,644 students responded to the pre-vaccination survey, of whom 2,005 (70%) completed the post-vaccination survey. The mean knowledge score was 2.72 (SD ± 2.20) out of a maximum score of 10 in the pre-vaccination survey, which increased significantly to 3.33 (SD ± 1.73) after the 3 doses of HPV vaccine (p = 0.001). Many answered incorrectly that, ‘Only females can get HPV infection’ (91.5% pre-vaccination versus 96.1% post-vaccination), and only a few were aware that, ‘Vaccinating boys helps to protect girls against HPV infection’ (11.7% for pre-vaccination versus 10.2% for post-vaccination). The mean knowledge score was significantly higher post-vaccination among higher-income families and those with parents of a higher occupational status. Regarding beliefs about the HPV vaccine, 89.4% in the pre-vaccination survey held the view that they would not get a HPV infection, and the percentage remained similar in the post-vaccination survey. Perceived severity of HPV infection also remained low in both pre- and post-intervention groups. Only 21.5% reported receiving health information about HPV along with the provision of the HPV vaccine; those who received health information showed higher levels of knowledge. Conclusion Findings revealed a general lack of knowledge and erroneous beliefs about HPV and the HPV vaccine even after receiving vaccination. This suggests that imparting accurate knowledge about HPV along with vaccine administration is essential. Specifically, girls from lower socioeconomic groups should be a target of educational intervention

La necròpoli talaiòtica de S'Illot des Porros

El jaciment és situat dins del terme municipal de Santa Margalida, a la part meridional de la badia d' AIcúdia, damunt d'un petit illot de forma vagament el·lipsoidal, d'uns 70 m per 45 m, situat a uns 50 m de la línia de costa i a uns 500 m a l' oest de la gran necropoli de Son Real (o Punta deIs Fenicis) (Tarradell, 1964), amb la que guarda una relació evident (Uim. 1). La hipotesi que en epoca antiga hagués pogut estar unida aterra ferma (Tarradell, 1964,23) és, segons sembla, versemblant, pero de moment no ha estat verificada. Les restes arqueologiques es concentren a la meitat meridional, ja que la resta de l'illot a penes s'aixeca per damunt del nivell del mar i és batuda per les onades; no sembla probable que mai hi hagi hagut en aquesta zona cap tipus d'ocupació humana

Synthesis of Mixed Ligand Complexes of M(II) Dithiocarbamato Derivative and 2,2'-bipyridyl and Study their Cytotoxic Effect Against HepG2 Cell Line in vitro

Mixed ligand of Co and Ni (II) complexes were prepared from [5-(p-nitrophenyl)-4/-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-dithiocarbamato hydrazide](TRZ.DTC) as primary ligand and 2,2'-bipyridyl (bipy) as a co-ligand with metal salts. These complexes were analytically and spectroscopically characterized in solid state by elemental analyses, flame atomic absorption, magnetic susceptibility and molar conductance measurements, as well as by UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. Infrared, ultra violet spectra reveal a bidentate coordination of the two ligands with metal ions 1:1:1 mole ratio. Room temperature magnetic moments and solid reflectance spectra data indicate paramagnetic complexes with five-coordinate square pyramidal geometry for nickel (II) complex, while six-coordinate octahedral geometry for cobalt (II) complex in solid state. The mixed ligand and its respective complexes were screened for cytotoxicity assay on human HepG2 cell line using cis-Pt drug as a control positive following the cell culture method for 3 days after treatment with the tested compounds using eight different concentrations. The bioassay results showed good inhibition activity of these synthetic compounds especially Ni (II) complex on selected cell lines comparable with standard drug