Clustering of rainfall data using k-means algorithm

Clustering algorithms in data mining is the method for extracting useful information for a given data. It can precisely analyze the volume of data produced by modern applications. The main goal of clustering is to categorize data into clusters according to similarities, traits and behavior. This study aims to describe regional cluster pattern of rainfall based on maximum daily rainfall in Johor, Malaysia. K-Means algorithm is used to obtain optimal rainfall clusters. This clustering is expected to serve as an analysis tool for a decision making to assist hydrologist in the water research problem

Is The Covid-19 Vaccine Halal? Revisiting The Role of National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) and JAKIM

The urge to be vaccinated has increased rapidly during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Resorting vaccine products is seen as the only way to break the chain of COVID-19 spread and eventually stop the pandemic. To this dire need, many consumers face the dilemma to be vaccinated or to opt-out of the vaccination program when the safety issues of vaccine products are widely circulated. The Muslim consumers, particularly, experiences double worry on the issue of safety and halal status of the vaccine product. Due to the emergency call to have the vaccine in the market as soon as possible, the innovation and production were carried out in an expedited manner, and the necessity to have the vaccine be certified as halal was bypass. When the news on the vaccine product uses non-halal ingredients reaches the Muslim community in Malaysia, they were taken aback and demanded immediate answers from the authorities. Thus, in addressing this issue, this study intends to critically analyse the role of NPRA and JAKIM in ensuring the safety and halal status of a product with the aim of suggesting a review of the existing role. This article adopts a qualitative research methodology where interviews will be the supporting method to a library-based and doctrinal study

Antibacterial activity of methanolic crude extracts from selected plant against Bacillus cereus

Bacillus cereus is a well-known food-poisoning bacterium. In this study, six methanolic crude extracts, from Azadirachta indica, Choromolaena odorata, Justicia gendarussa, Mangifera odorata, Strobilanthes crispus and Tinospora crispa, were investigated for their antibacterial activities against B. cereus. For this purpose, different concentrations of the methanol solvent crude extract from selected plants were used (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, and 20 mg/ml) and the diameter of B. cereus growth inhibition zone was measured at every 24 hours for 5 days. The antibacterial assay for all the crude extracts showed the inhibition of B. cereus growth by concentrations ranging from 2 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml, with a significant correlation between the extract concentrations and degrees of antibacterial activity. Rapid formation of inhibition zones within 24 hours of incubation was obtained, before a slight reduction in the inhibition of the diameter of zone was observed after 120 hours of incubation. The Minimal Inhibition Concentration (MIC) value for J. gendarussa, M. odorata and S. crispus crude extracts were at 2 mg/ml, while A. indica, C. odorata and T. crispa were at 6 mg/ml, 8mg/ml and 10 mg/ml, respectively. However, the Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) for all the crude extracts were at much higher concentration with the crude extract of J. gendarussa, M. odorata and S. crispus obtained the MBC values at 6mg/ml, whereas A. indica, C. odorata and T. crispa were at 10 mg/ml

DFT/TD-DFT study on development and optimization of 1- anilino-3- phenyliminourea as a colorimetric chemosensor for Hg2+ recognition in aqueous medium

Mercury is a toxic metal that can be found everywhere - it is used in many products of our daily life and mercury contamination usually cannot be detected by any of the five human senses. Continuous exposure to mercury has severe implications neurologically, gastrointestinally and with respect to renal organ systems. This study was conducted to develop a portable and easy-to-use chemosensor with 1- anilino- 3-phenyliminourea (AP) for detecting Hg2+ ions in aqueous system. The sensitivity of AP in acting as a chemosensor was optimized based on solvent/co-solvent ratio and pH. The result showed that AP has a highly sensitivity against Hg2+ in DMSO/citrate buffer (8/2, v/v, pH = 4.0). The LOD of AP against Hg2+ ions was calculated at 69.02 mM. The stoichiometric ratio of AP-Hg2+ was 1:1 as determined by the Job’s plot analysis. COSMO-RS results show that DMSO and AP formed stronger hydrogen bonds due to the peaks of both appearing at greater positive and negative sigma profile values in the H-bond acceptor and H-bond donor regions, respectively. Molecular electrostatic potential, Fukui function and electronic transition were successfully performed using the DFT method to characterize and support the experimental data in predicting the interaction that occurs between AP and Hg2+ ions. The calculated HOMO-LUMO energy gaps of AP and Ap-Hg2+ were 3.72 eV and 1.95 eV, respectively. The result aligned with the UV-vis analysis where a redshift occurred after formation of the complex. Using naked eye observation, the developed test strip using the AP chemosensor also demonstrated a colour change in recognizing Hg2+ ions in aqueous media

Effect of intercostal stretch on pulmonary function parameters among healthy males

The use of manual stretching procedures has become more prevalent in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy to improve pulmonary functions. However, limited evidence exists regarding evaluation of their effectiveness. The study aimed to determine the impact of Intercostal (IC) stretch in improving the dynamic pulmonary function parameters (Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC % and respiratory rate among healthy adults. Thirty healthy male subjects were recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were assigned to the experimental group and the control group through random sampling method. In the experimental group, subjects underwent IC stretch for ten breaths on the inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle with breathing control exercises in semi recumbent position, while in the control group, breathing control exercises alone were performed in the semi recumbent position. The results of the study showed, FEV1/FVC % in the experimental group significantly improved with P=0.017 (p<0.05) than the control group, which means IC stretch increased lung volume and lead to improved lung function. This study suggested the IC stretching with breathing control may be more effective in improving dynamic lung parameters especially FEV1/FVC % than breathing control alone

Firm Culture and Innovativeness Among Logistics Companies in Malaysia

The logistics industry environment is continuously changes with intense competition and demanding customers. Hence, appropriate firm culture that initiates firm innovativeness is required. At present, innovativeness research on logistics companies is still limited. Yet, empirical research showed firm innovativeness provide companies capabilities to achieve lower cost while rendering higher quality services that meet all requirements of potential customers, introduce new products, services, business, environmental issues and maximum utilization of information technology. Although there is general impression on low level of innovativeness in SMEs around the world, this research aims to demonstrate that there is potential higher degree of innovativeness within Malaysia’s logistics sector. Hence, this study objective is to gauge firm culture relationship with firm innovativeness. The study used simple random sampling technique where 226 companies were selected from total population of 500 logistic companies registered under Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders via survey. Findings revealed firm innovativeness among logistic companies is at high level and firm culture has a significant positive correlation with firm innovativeness. In fact, firm culture specifically adhocracy and market orientation culture significantly and positively influence on logistic firm innovativeness in Malaysia. This study brings new insight on innovativeness among Malaysian logistic companies

Towards the Quality Factor of Software Maintenance Process: A Review

Software maintenance (SM) is classified as the common process of modifying a system or software product once it has been delivered to user. Different type of process applied to different type of applications and in certain stages of the processes involve adding new components to the existing system. Software maintenance process is a series of actions taken to overcome changes during the maintenance phase. To ensure the sustainable quality of software product throughout the software life cycle, a good mechanism in software maintenance process should be implemented. Most organization nowadays depend on software products to run their business operations. Thus, it is crucial to ensure the software applications operating in the organization are sustainable while preserving its quality in a long run. The kick-off study starts with identifying the quality factors related to maintainability dimension that affected software maintenance process. A comprehensive literature study is conducted to find related processes within maintainability sub-factors. The identified factors will be evaluated by practitioners who involve in maintaining process. The maintainer personnel help to prioritize the task and eliminate the insignificant activities during maintenance process. This paper focuses on maintainability quality factors and its sub-characteristics impact on software maintenance process

Work-family experience: its relation with self-identity

Many studies have examined the manner in which demands in work and family roles impact work-family experiences. Given that gender-role somewhat shapes an individual’s self-identity, this study suggests that an individual’s experience of favorable or unfavorable work-family experience depends on his or her self-identity. More specifically, this study aims to investigate whether the compatibility between one’s self-identity and the role in which one is engaged in, results in a buffering effect or a detrimental effect of role demand on the work-family balance experience