Stick insect of Taman Negara Johor, Gunung Ledang according to the altitudes

Stick insects (Phasmida) are important herbivores in tropical ecosystem. To date, only few studies that had been conducted on phasmids diversity in Malaysia. We conducted a study on the diversity of phasmids in Gunung Ledang National Park, Johor, Malaysia. Our objective is to determine whether there is a variation in phasmids diversity at different elevation levels. Besides that, this study was aimed to provide an inventory of phasmids in Gunung Ledang for different altitudes. Samplings were denoted by four locations based on altitude i.e. Location L1 (altitude 1000 – 1200m), L2 (700 – 900m), L3 (200 – 350m) and L4 (100 – 120m). Samplings were done by active samplings for every location using torch light between 2000 to 2230 hours during a dark moon phase. This was based on twelve sampling occasions conducted from November 2012 until October 2013. A total of 765 individuals of phasmids comprising 46 species in 22 genera under 5 families (Phasmatidae, 4 spesies in 3 genera; Heteronemiidae, 35 spesies in 15 genera; Aschiphasmatidae, 4 spesies in 1 genus; Bacillidae, 2 spesies in 2 genera; Phyllidae, 1 spesies, 1 genus) has been recorded for Johore National Park, Mount Ledang. The Margalef’s Species Richness index (R’) based on altitude shows the highest at L4 (R’= 4.857) and lowest at L1 (R’ = 3.765). Analysis of Shannon Wiener Diversity Index (H’) following the altitude was highest in altitude L2 (H’ = 2.547) and L3 shows the lowest value (H’ = 1.6). The Evenness Index, E’ = 0.6072 was highest at L4 and lowest at L3 (E’ = 0.1981). Species Accumulation Curve was not reaching the asymptotes; hence, further samplings are needed in order to obtain better results to represent species richness of phasmids for these areas

Color Thresholding Techniques Performance for Night Vision Surveillance Using Thermal Imaging

Visible surveillance is commonly an active research worldwide. The need of surveillance allows thermal imaging to participate in this study activity. The drawback of visible surveillance for night monitoring is overcome by the technology of the thermal imaging. To achieve the goal of the surveillance system , the works on detection must be very efficient to do the detection Throughout this research , we developed an algorithm involving thresholding technique for subject detection using thermal image to find the for night surveillance system

Relationship Between Service Quality and Behavioral Intentions: the Mediating Effect of Customer Satisfaction

This study was undertaken to measure the relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions. A survey method was employed to collect data from customers who received treatments at army medical organizations in Malaysia. The outcomes of Smart-PLS path model analysis confirmed that relationship between service qualities features (tangible, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy) with customer satisfaction were positively and significantly correlated with behavioral intentions. This result demonstrates that effect of tangible, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy on behavioral intentions was mediated by customer satisfaction.DOI: 10.15408/etk.v16i2.553

Detection Technique of Squamous Epithelial Cells in Sputum Slide Images Using Image Processing Analysis

A good quality sputum is important to detect diseases. The presence of squamous epithelial cells (SEC) in sputum slide images is important to determine the quality of sputum. The presence of overlapping SEC in sputum slide images causes the process become complicated and tedious. Therefore this paper discusses on technique of detection and summation for Squamous Epithelial Cell (SEC) in sputum slide image. We addressed the detection problem by combining K-means and color thresholding algorithm. The design of aided system is evaluated using 200 images and the proposed technique is capable to detect and count each SEC from overlapping SEC image. Total of 200 images were clustered to 10 groups, labelled as Group Cell 1 to group Cell 10 that correspond to the number of cells in the image. Therefore, each group will contain 20 images. The accuracy of the algorithm to detect SEC was also measured, and results show that in 91% which provides a correct SEC detection and summation

IMPROVING FERTILITY OF ACID SULFATE SOIL USING VARIOUS LIME SOURCES FOR RICE GROWN IN MALAYSIA

The main problems of acid sulfate soils are high acidity and Al and/or Fe toxicity to the soil. This problem causes rice root inhibition, hence retard plant nutrient uptake for its growth. Improving these conditions is important; hence, liming seems to be a common practice to ameliorate this soil, especially for rice cultivation. A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of applying ground magnesium limestone (GML), hydrated lime and liquid lime on the growth of rice under glasshouse conditions. MR 219 rice variety was used in this experiment. It was found that the application of 4 t ha-1 of GML had produced the highest rice yield of 8.2 t ha-1 under glasshouse condition. The result showed that as panicle length increase, spikelet per panicle also increases. Relative rice yield is negatively correlated with the soil pH, and this indicates that as soil acidity increase (observed with pH between 2 to 3), the rice yield decreases and vice versa. At harvest, due to liming practices, the soil pH exceeded 6 for all the treatment. It was also observed that as soil exchangeable Ca increase, soil pH also increases. Among the treatment, soil treated with 2 t ha-1 of hydrated lime gave the highest exchangeable Ca in the soil of 11.86 cmolc kg-1 soil with Ca concentration of 0.12% in the root. It was observed that liming increases soil pH and exchangeable cations in the soil. Therefore, liming is essential to ameliorate the acid sulfate soils for rice cultivation

Behavioral Analysis on IPv4 Malware in both IPv4 and IPv6 Network Environment

Malware is become an epidemic in computer net-work nowadays. Malware attacks are a significant threat to networks. A conducted survey shows malware attacks may result a huge financial impact. This scenario has become worse when users are migrating to a new environment which is Internet Protocol Version 6. In this paper, a real Nimda worm was released on to further understand the worm beha-vior in real network traffic. A controlled environment of both IPv4 and IPv6 network were deployed as a testbed for this study. The result between these two scenarios will be analyzed and discussed further in term of the worm behavior. The ex-periment result shows that even IPv4 malware still can infect the IPv6 network environment without any modification. New detection techniques need to be proposed to remedy this prob-lem swiftly

Soft Tissue Reconstruction following Hemipelvectomy: Eight-Year Experience and Literature Review

Background and Objectives. Hemipelvectomy is a major surgical procedure that associates with significant morbidity, functional impairment, and psychological and body image problem. Reconstruction of the defect is a challenged since a large amount of composite tissues are needed. We would like to share our eight-year experience with massive pelvic resection and reconstruction. Methods. A retrospective analysis of all cases of hemipelvectomy was conducted in our institution over eight-year period with particular attention given to the reconstruction choices and associated complications. Results. Thirteen patients were included with median age of 39 years (range 13–78) of which all had advanced tumour with stage IIb (54%) and Stage III (46%). External hemipelvectomy was performed in all cases, and resultant defects were reconstructed with variety type of flaps. These include fillet thigh flaps, regional pedicle flaps of different designs, and free flap. Conclusions. Massive pelvic tumour is rarely encountered in our population but can be seen across all age groups and usually due to late presentation. The defects should be reconstructed using local or regional flaps, incorporating the muscle component to enhance flap perfusion. The tissue should be harvested from the amputated limb, as it can limit the donor site morbidity

VISUAL BRANDING MELALUI DESAIN LOGO DAN PEMBUATAN CORPORATE IDENTITY PADA LES PIANO & KEYBOARD STUDIO TSK

Bermain piano dan keyboard dapat melatih daya ingat dan konsentrasi terutama untuk anak usia dini. Tidak sedikit orang tua yang memiliki anak usia dini mendaftarkan dan melatih putra dan putrinya untuk kursus atau les privat piano dan keyboard. Les Piano & Keyboard Studio TSK adalah sebuah usaha kursus piano dan keyboard dengan model layanan privat, dimana pemilik sekaligus pelatihnya akan mendatangi langsung konsumen yang ingin belajar piano dan keyboard. Logo dinilai sangat penting agar konsumen dalam hal ini murid-murid yang ingin belajar piano dan keyboard merasakan pengalaman khusus ketika menggunakan layanan jasa yang telah diberikan. Berdasarkan situasi Mitra, tim pengabdian pengabdian memiliki rencana untuk membuat logo usaha yang akan diterapkan pada sebuah corporate identity pada Les Piano & Keyboard Studio TSK agar usaha ini memiliki citra dan karakter usaha yang kuat, serta memberikan pengalaman khusus kepada konsumen yang telah menggunakan jasa les privat. Dengan adanya solusi yang kami tawarkan, kedepannya mitra akan memiliki sebuah logo usaha, identitas usaha dan sangat dimungkinkan proses pelatihan les dilakukan di lokasi mitra karena sudah terakomodir dengan banner dan spanduk yang membuat masyarakat umum tau akan lokasi tempat les piano dan keyboard

Mechanical Properties and Morphological Characterization of PLA/Chitosan/Epoxidized Natural Rubber Composites

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/chitosan (CS) natural polymer/epoxidised natural rubber (ENR) composites were successfully prepared through a solution casting method. The morphological characteristics of fabricated composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. The microstructure of PLA/ENR was significantly altered with the addition of CS. SEM analysis of composites fractured surfaces revealed smooth and homogeneous texture and good dispersion of CS. However for 15 wt% CS composites, the phase segregation and poor adhesion between the polymers were observed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed some levels of attractive interaction between CS, PLA, and ENR in the composites. The mechanical properties of composites in terms of tensile strength and tensile modulus were significantly improved with the addition of CS into the matrix while the percent elongation at break decreased. The tensile strength increased up to 5 wt% CS loading for both PLA/CS and PLA/ENR/CS and thereafter decreased while Young’s modulus increased up to 10 wt%. However, when the CS content was increased to 15 wt%, the tensile strength and tensile modulus were slightly decreased. These improvements were attributed to good dispersion of CS at the optimum filler levels and attractive interaction between the composites components.</jats:p

Influence of citronella and chlorpyrifos on Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) infesting rabbit carcasses

Influence of citronella and chlorpyrifos on oviposition and duration for completing life cycles for Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya rufifacies infesting decomposing rabbit carcasses was studied. Male rabbit carcasses (n = 12) were equally divided into control, citronella-and chlorpyrifos–treated groups, and left to decompose for 14 consecutive days. C. megacephala was the first necrophagous fly oviposited in all control and citronella-treated carcasses followed by C. rufifacies. Although initial oviposition of C. megacephala was delayed (4-6 hours) in citronella-treated carcasses (P < 0.05), prolongation in completing its life cycle was not observed. Neither delayed initial oviposition nor prolonged life cycle for C. rufifacies in citronella-treated carcasses was observed. Oviposition was delayed for chlorpyrifos-treated carcasses (0.42 g/L), and eclosion of eggs remained unsuccessful. The findings deserve consideration because these chemicals are easily accessible and can be used by cunning criminals to confuse forensic entomologists while estimating minimum postmortem interval