ICT utilization and the information economy: the case of Malaysia

Malaysia is taking steps to transform the economy from being production-based to being knowledge driven (K-economy). In line with this objective, information and communication technologies (ICT) have been identified as the strategic enabling tools that will support the growth of the Malaysian economy as well as enhance the living standard of the population. Hence, in the past decade various initiatives have been taken by the government to promote the use and development of ICT. However, there are many issues and challenges that need to be addressed by the country before a successful transformation to a K-economy can be made. One of the issues is ICT utilization for the development of an information society and economy in the country. The paper assesses the current state of ICT utilization in Malaysia based on secondary data. The result indicates that the level of ICT utilization in the country is still low compared to selected countries and there exist wide disparities among states in Malaysia in terms of accessibility to ICT

Analysis of WiMAX Positioning Using Received-Signal-Strength Method

This paper presents an analysis of WiMAX positioning by using received-signal-strength (RSS) method. A simulator was developed using MATLAB to demonstrate the ability of RSS method for WiMAX positioning. With this simulator, the user can specify their own data or parameters in analyzing and obtaining the target object location. In this study, the analysis was done in three different scenarios that simulate various conditions for WiMAX positioning. Result shows that channel or propagation models are crucial part in the process of analyzing the communication system where it will affect the performance of positioning detection. Selection of perfect model that resemble the real environment will led to better wireless positioning system. By the performance evaluation, the user can plan better simulation system and can create more accurate algorithms for radio positionin

Modelling and simulation of 1.2 MWp tenaga suria brunei photovoltaic power plant

The energy demand in Brunei Darussalam will increase in near future. The renewable energy is one of the alternative energy sources that could satisfy the increasing energy demands. Brunei Darussalam depends heavily on fossil fuel to generate its electricity needs. Fossil fuels are depleted and the main source of pollution. Photovoltaic (PV) systems generate electricity directly from the sunlight without any emission of global warming gases, and the fuel is free. In order to optimize the performance of PV systems their operation should be well understood. In this paper, we present the modelling of a real 1.2 MWp photovoltaic system. The PV power plant is tied to the grid. The PV array, the DC/DC converter and the DC/AC inverter are modelled and implemented in Matlab/Simulink. The controller of the gridconnected inverter is modelled to achieve constant voltage, constant frequency and to be synchronized with the grid. The system is simulated under Brunei weather conditions and the results are acceptable

Technical and economic feasibility study of solar powered air conditioners in Brunei Darussalam

On daily basis, a huge amount of fossil fuel is being burnt which results in a substantial amount of greenhouse gasses being released into the atmosphere. Air conditioners are becoming more common and are a major strain on energy demands especially in tropical climate countries like Brunei Darussalam. The photovoltaic electricity is a clean and sustainable. In this paper, we present a techno-economic feasibility study for solar powered air conditioning system in Brunei Darussalam. Four alternatives are investigated, 1) the PV system supplies 50% of the loads, 2) the PV system supplies 75% of the loads, 3) the PV system supplies 100% of the loads, and finally 4) the PV system supplies 125% of the loads. Where in the last two case the excess electricity is sold to the grid. With 0.3$ feed-in tariff. The best alternative is the grid-connected PV system with 125% capacity factor which was chosen due to its short payback time period as well as high profit rate over the lifetime of the project

Paradoxical effect of baclofen on social behavior in the fragile X syndrome mouse model

Introduction: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a common monogenetic cause of intellectual disability, autism spectrum features, and a broad range of other psychiatric and medical problems. FXS is caused by the lack of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), a translational regulator of specific mRNAs at the postsynaptic compartment. The absence of FMRP leads to aberrant synaptic plasticity, which is believed to be caused by an imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory network functioning of the synapse. Evidence from studies in mice demonstrates that GABA, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and its receptors, is involved in the pathogenesis of FXS. Moreover, several FXS phenotypes, including social behavior deficits, could be corrected in Fmr1 KO mice after acute treatment with GABAB agonists. Methods: As FXS would probably require a lifelong treatment, we investigated the effect of chronic treatment with the GABAB agonist baclofen on social behavior in Fmr1 KO mice on two behavioral paradigms for social behavior: the automated tube test and the three-chamber sociability test. Results: Unexpectedly, chronic baclofen treatment resulted in worsening of the FXS phenotypes in these behavior tests. Strikingly, baclofen treatment also affected wild-type animals in both behavioral tests, inducing a phenotype similar to that of untreated Fmr1 KO mice. Conclusion: Altogether, the disappointing results of recent clinical trials with the R-baclofen enantiomer arbaclofen and our current results indicate that baclofen should be reconsidered and further evaluated before its application in targeted treatment for FXS

The effect of acute gamma radiation onto growth media for mother culture of a Volvariella mushroom

Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) is a semicrystalline polymer made from amylopectin, agarose, and amylose, used in laboratories for Agar plate culturing for a multitude of fungal strains. The existing pretreatment method for the elimination of pathogenic bacteria, namely steam sterilization, has shown several drawbacks, including high cost, uneven heating due to temperature differentials and an inability to treat specimens volumetrically. These drawbacks are mitigated by gamma irradiation, being carried out in order to improve hygienic quality and germination control, retarding sprouting, also enhancing physical attributes of the food product. Present study investigates the growth and survival of pretreated potato dextrose agar (PDA) substrate with gamma irradiations, for doses ranging from 0 kGy (unirradiated) up to 20 kGy, particularly for Volvariella mushroom cultivation. The relative elemental composition of PDA substrate has been obtained through use of Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX), identifying carbohydrate (53.35%), oxygen (45.29%) and 1.36% of mineral trace elements. Gamma irradiation doses to the PDA substrate of 0.5 kGy, 1 kGy and 1.5 kGy have been found to be associated with respective growth rates of 0.93 ± 0.03, 0.94 ± 0.02 and 0.89 ± 0.02 cm/day, the PDA becoming more amorphous and acidic with reduced viscosity at higher doses. The findings of this study could pave the way for a low-cost yet highly effective system for irradiation in mushroom, as well as offering a viable alternative to current conventional sterilizations, well suited to applications in food security

Embracing new agriculture commodity through integration of Java Tea as high Value Herbal crops in solar PV farms

Integration of agriculture and renewable energy resources (RER) is currently a hot topic discussed worldwide based on the need for green energy and sustainable economy. The decreasing trend of global market value for the traditional agricultural commodity such as Rubber and Palm Oil really affected the Gross National Income (GNI) and thus, the government of Malaysia outlined a number of strategic thrusts to boost economic growth. Herbal products have been given sufficient rooms for extension as the first approved Entry Point Projects (EPP1) driver of sustainability. Orthosiphon Stamineus also known as Java Tea is among the five commercialize High-Value Herbal crops (HVHc) and chosen to be deployed under PV arrays based on its sustainability and potential market value. The financial analysis is based on 3-months harvesting cycle with reference to the harvesting coefficience pc and realistic cash flow. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is valued at 15.74% that benchmarks positive net return for herbal producers. The cash functions based on Return-on-Investment (ROI) can be achieved after 10 months cycle of production with Net Present Value (NPV) of RM8,863.59. This initiative flows in line with the Cleaner Production (CP) concept of efficient usage of natural resources to minimize waste and pollution. The concept of agro-technology integration is presented with strong financial return for the unused space under PV arrays configured for large scale PV farms.Highlights> Java Tea herb as High Value Herbal Crops are highlighted for PV integration.> The work proves the sustainability of herbal plantation under Solar PV array.> Herbal products becomes driver of sustainable and cleaner production.> The work initiates the concept of agro-technology integration with strong financial return

Proteomic profiling and glycomic analysis of the yeast cell wall in strains with Aflatoxin B 1

The use of microorganisms for Aflatoxin B1 elimination has been studied as a new alternative tool and it is known that cell wall carried out a critical role. For that reason, cell wall and soluble intracellular fraction of eight yeasts with AFB1 detoxification capability were analysed. The quantitative and qualitative comparative label-free proteomic allowed the identification of diverse common constituent proteins, which revealed that putative cell wall proteins entailed less than 10% of the total proteome. It was possible to characterize different enzymes linked to cell wall polysaccharides biosynthesis as well as other proteins related with the cell wall organization and regulation. Additionally, the concentration of the principal polysaccharides was determined which permitted us to observe that β-glucans concentration was higher than mannans in most of the samples. In order to better understand the biosorption role of the cell wall against the AFB1, an antimycotic (Caspofungin) was used to damage the cell wall structure. This assay allowed the observation of an effect on the normal growth of those yeasts with damaged cell walls that were exposed to AFB1. This effect was not observed in yeast with intact cell walls, which may reveal a pro�tective role of this structure against mycotoxin