The investigation of femtocell Home eNodeB (HeNB) propagation path loss model / Nurul Nadiah Khaseran and Amirudin Ibrahim

In order to overcome the problem of indoor mobile signal coverage as well as dealing with the signal reception from macro cells, femtocell is introduced. It is installed in a short service range by the subscribers, called as Home evolved Node B (HeNB) [1] There are four carrier frequencies used for Long Term Evolution (LTE), 850MHz, 1800 MHz, 2300MHz, and 2600 MHz. With the changes of criteria of the surrounding such as frequencies, distance, height and surrounding materials, the smaller the path loss value in indoor environment, the better the signal reception will be. Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) used TR36.814 with 2 GHz carrier frequency with different lengths and obstructions, however this frequency is not offered for LTE in Malaysia and some studies need to be done in order to find the one with the best signal reception. This resulted on how the number of wall layers play roles in an indoor environment. 850MHz was found out to be the best frequency out of the four LTE frequencies in Malaysia for different types of indoor environment

Accounting Students’ Motivation for Getting Professionally Qualified

To move Malaysia to a developing nation, 60,000 professionally qualified accountants are needed by 2030. However, as of April 2017, only 33,000 accountants have registered as members of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA). The purpose of this research is to analyse students’ behaviour on the motivational factors to obtain professional accounting qualifications. This study gathered the response of 187 students as samples from the only public university in Malaysia that offers ACCA professional accounting certificate. The results show that most students are motivated by intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, while there is no relationship between third parties’ influence and demographic factors with the decision to pursue a professional accounting qualification. Keywords: Professional qualified; intrinsic motivation; extrinsic motivation; accounting students eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i15.245

Factors associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease grades detected by ultrasound at a screening center in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a very common liver disease in the world, particularly in Western and developed countries. It is rapidly growing in the Asia- Pacific region. Objectives: This study was designed to determine the association between risk factors and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease grades among Malaysian adults. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study design was prospectively carried out in this study. Consecutive 628 respondents who attended for a medical checkup at urban health center had been recruited for the study. All respondents had the physical examination, blood tests, clinical assessments, and abdominal ultrasound. A structured self-administered questionnaire has been also used in this study in this survey. Results: From a total of 628 “health screened” subjects, 235 subjects (37.4%) were diagnosed to have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Female gender and Chinese race were predominant in our study population. Of those with NAFLD, more than half subjects (63.4) had a moderate grade of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The mean age of the study population was 54.54 ±6.69 years. Differences of the mean body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were found to be significant among non-alcoholic fatty liver disease grades (P< 0.001). Similarly, mean triglycerides (TG) and high-densiy lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels had significant differences among non-alcoholic fatty liver disease grades (P< 0.001 and P= 0.016, respectively). Conclusion: the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is common among urban Malaysian adult population. Anthropometric measurements were closely correlated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease grades

Histological analysis of anti-cancer drug loaded, targeted Mn:ZnS quantum dots in metastatic lesions of 4T1 challenged mice

5-Fluororaucil (5-FU) as anti-cancer drug was reported to induce thymidine synthase (TS) overexpression and cancer cell resistance. To improve its therapeutic efficacy and selective targeting, here we developed a targeted delivery system mediated by the active ligand-folate receptor chemistry to deliver the 5-FU drug selectively into the tumor microenvironment. The preparation was achieved by exploring chitosan (CS)-biopolymer based system with folic acid (FA)-conjugation. The 5-FU@FACS-Mn:ZnS quantum dots (QDs) based on the histological assessment conducted in the 4T1 challenged mice showed an improved tumor remission in the liver, spleen and lungs. The 5-FU@FACS-Mn:ZnS composite induced anti-proliferative properties in these organs as compared to the free 5-FU drug. Unlike the 5-FU@FACS-Mn:ZnS treated groups which showed some specific morphological changes such as cell shrinkage without obvious presence of adipocytes, the excised section of the tumor in the untreated control group and the free 5-FU drug treated group showed necrotic and degenerated cells; these cells are multifocally distributed in the tumor mass with evidence of widely distributed adipocytes within the tumor mass. These findings suggest that the 5-FU@FACS-Mn:ZnS composite has a superior role during the induction of apoptosis in the 4T1 cells as compared to the free 5-FU drug treated groups. The results of the study therefore suggest that the impregnation of 5-FU anti-cancer drug within the FACS-Mn:ZnS system significantly improves its selective targeting efficacy, in addition to improving the anti-proliferative properties and attenuate possible tumor resistances to the 5-FU drug

In vivo tumor targeting and anti-tumor effects of 5-fluororacil loaded, folic acid targeted quantum dot system

In this study, we modulated the anti-cancer efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) using a carrier system with enhanced targeting efficacy towards folate receptors (FRs) expressing malignant tissues. The 5-FU drug was loaded onto Mn-ZnS quantum dots (QDs) encapsulated with chitosan (CS) biopolymer and conjugated with folic acid (FA) based on a simple wet chemical method. The formation of 5-FU drug loaded composite was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Furthermore, the in vivo biodistribution and tumor targeting specificity of the 5-FU@FACS-Mn:ZnS in the tumor-bearing mice was conducted based on the Zn2+ tissue bioaccumulation using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy. In addition to the characterization, the in vitro release profile of 5-FU from the conjugates investigated under diffusion controlled method demonstrated a controlled release behaviour as compared against the release behaviour of free 5-FU drug. The as-synthesized 5-FU@FACS-Mn:ZnS nanoparticle (NP) systemically induced higher level of apoptosis in breast cancer cells in vitro as compared to cells treated with free 5-FU drug following both cell cycle and annexin assays, respectively. Also, the in vivo toxicity assessment of the 5-FU@FACS-Mn:ZnS NPs as compared to the control did not cause any significant increase in the activities of the liver and kidney function biomarkers, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels. However, based on the FA-FRs chemistry, the 5-FU@FACS-Mn:ZnS NPs specifically accumulated in the tumor of the tumor-bearing mice and thus contributed to the smaller tumor size and less event of metastasis was observed in the lungs when compared to the tumor-bearing mice groups treated with the free 5-FU drug. In summary, the results demonstrated that the 5-FU@FACS-Mn:ZnS QDs exhibits selective anti-tumor effect in MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells in vitro and 4TI breast cancer cells in vivo, providing a blueprint for improving the 5-FU efficacy and tumor targeting specificity with limited systemic toxicity

Learners satisfaction of e-learning among public university students : a case study in Kota Bharu / Nurul Bariyah Ibrahim... [et al].

E-learning is the learning styles that using internet to provide education information to the users according the development of technology. It also can access by using any electronic media. Nowadays, many students are often dissatisfied with the e-learning experience because the process of e-learning is less efficient than face to face learning. Therefore, a survey was conducted to identify the relationship between (learner computer anxiety, course flexibility and perceived usefulness) and perceived e-learners satisfaction and to determine the significant influence of (learner computer anxiety, course flexibility and perceived usefulness) on perceived e-learners satisfaction. A cross-sectional study with two-stage cluster sampling was applied in this study. A validated online questionnaire was distributed to 263 students from selected clusters. There are several method of data analyses was applied for this research such as Pearson’s Correlation and Multiple Linear Regression. This study shows there is a positive weak linear relationship between course flexibility and perceived e-learner satisfaction. While, computer anxiety and perceived usefulness have positive moderate linear relationship towards perceived e-learner satisfaction. Factors influenced the perceived e-learners satisfaction were computer anxiety and perceived usefulness with perceived usefulness was the most influenced factor. In conclusion, since the perceived usefulness is affecting the most of the perceived e-learners satisfaction, the university management can improved e-learning system with user friendly basis to attract the e-learners to use the system for reading, downloading learning material and interacting to participate in discussion, chatting and emailing. This can improve their academic performance and allowing them to learn effectively

Effect of acid type and concentration on the yield, purity, and esterification degree of pectin extracted from durian rinds

This current research aimed to investigate the effect of acid type and concentration on the yield, anhydrouronic acid content (AUA), and esterification degree (DE) of durian rind pectin by using three types of mineral acids (hydrochloric, sulphuric, and nitric acids) and three types of organic acids (citric, tartaric, and acetic acids) at five different concentration (0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 M). The pectin yield (0.93–10.23%), AUA (41.64–80.58%), and DE (0.43–25.69%) were pronouncedly affected by the acid type and concentration during extraction. The results were affected by the strong-weak and protic nature of the acids. The pectin yield and DE decreased at higher acid concentrations (0.1, 1.0 M), with mineral acids giving a more significant effect. Additionally, mineral acids were more effective in extracting pectin with greater purity (AUA > 65%). In contrast, organic acids-extracted pectins had AUA < 65%, indicating poor purity. All pectins extracted were lowmethoxyl pectin (LMP) with DE < 50%. Based on the results, mineral acids appeared to be more suitable for durian rind pectin extraction than organic acids due to their good yield and purity of LMP. The FTIR spectra showed that durian rind pectins were rich in homogalacturonan content. 0.001 M H2SO4 could be a promising extractant for commercial LMP production (DE = 20.11%) from durian rind, considering its satisfying yield (9.13%) and purity (AUA = 66.72%), in which the LMP could be a potential thickener and stabilizer for lowcalorie foods and beverages

Lysosomal dysfunction induced cytosolic vacuolation and increased intracellular amyloid-beta 42 (Aβ42) in human brain endothelial cells (HBEC-5i)

Lysosome is a primary degradative organelle and is crucial in cellular homeostasis. A reduction in its function due to ageing has been associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a common neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the deposition of neurotoxic amyloid plaque in the brain and cerebral vessel walls. The breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of AD. However, the impact of lysosomal dysfunction on brain endothelial cells, the key component of the BBB, in the disease progression is yet to be fully understood. In this study, human brain endothelial cells (HBEC-5i) were exposed to a lysosomotropic compound, chloroquine (CQ) for 24 h. Cell viability was assessed with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)− 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to determine the inhibitory concentration (IC) at IC10 (17.5 µM), IC25 (70.5 µM), and IC50 (125 µM). The morphological changes observed include vacuoles arrested in the cytosols and cell shrinkage that were more prominent at IC25 and IC50. Lysosomal dysfunction was evaluated by measuring the lysosomal-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1) and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC3-II) using the capillary-based immunoassay. LC3-II was significantly increased at IC25 and IC50 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). The concentration of intracellular and extracellular Aβ42 was quantitated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which demonstrated a significant increase (p < 0.05) in intracellular Aβ42 at IC25. This study showed that perturbation of lysosomal function impairs autophagy that leads to intracellular increment of Aβ, indicating the important roles of lysosomes in endothelial cells homeostasis and disease progression

The authentication and grading of edible bird's nest by metabolite, nutritional, and mineral profiling

Edible bird’s nest (EBN) produced by Aerodramus fuciphagus has a high demand for nutritional and medicinal application throughout the world. The present study was to evaluate the authentication of a man-made house EBN, which are half cup and stripe-shaped by FTIR. Next, both samples were compared according to their metabolite, nutritional, and mineral composition. The results indicated that the FTIR spectra of both EBN samples were identical and similar to the reference, suggesting the authenticity of the EBN used. The metabolites that contribute to the possible medicinal properties of EBN were found by using GC-MS. The results of the proximate analysis, followed by the standard AOAC method, inferred that both EBN shapes to be rich in crude protein and carbohydrate contents. However, the proximate composition between the half cup and stripe-shaped EBN showed significant differences. Major mineral elements detected were calcium and sodium, and magnesium contents were significantly different between both EBN. Additionally, the half cup and stripe-shaped EBN had a low level of heavy metal content than the maximum regulatory limit as set by the Malaysian Food Act 1983. This study concludes that the nutritional composition varied between the samples and thus suggests that nutrient content should be considered as criteria for the grading requirement of commercialized EBN

Characterization and extraction influence protein profiling of edible bird’s nest

The edible bird nest (EBN) from Aerodramus fuciphagus has been consumed as a Chinese traditional food for health and medicinal purposes due to its elevated nutritional value. The present study focused on the influence of characterization and extraction methods on protein profiling, which could be a guideline for grading the EBN. The proposed extraction method is similar to the common food preparation methods of consumers and thus can accurately establish the bioactive protein available upon human consumption. The characterization includes physicochemical analysis (physical, morphology, elemental composition, and microbial content) and chemical analysis (crude protein and amino acid). The morphology of half-cup EBN was found to be uniformly shaped and rich in calcium as compared to rough surface of stripe-shaped EBN, and there was no significant microbial growth in both types of EBN. The crude protein and amino acid content in half-cup EBN were significantly higher than stripe-shaped EBN. The full stew (FS) and stew (SE) extraction methods produced a maximal yield of soluble protein. Sialic acid content in SE extract (8.47%, w/w) and FS extract (7.91%, w/w) were recorded. About seven parent proteins (39.15 to 181.68 kDa) were identified by LC-MS/MS Q-TOF, namely 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein, lysyl oxidase-3, Mucin-5AC-like, acidic mammalian chitinase-like, 45 kDa calcium-binding protein, nucleobindin-2, and ovoinhibitor-like. In conclusion, the characteristics and extraction methods influence the availability of bioactive protein and peptides, demonstrating the potential usage of EBN in improving its biological activities and nutritional properties