A palynological investigation of vatica L. (dipterocarpaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia

Pollen morphology of 24 species of Vatica L. had been investigated using light and scanning electron microscopes. Vatica is a stenopalynous genus, the pollens are radially symmetrical, isopolar, subprolate to suboblate sometimes prolate rarely oblate, all tricolpate. Exine ornamentation varies from thin to medium reticulate. On the basis of pollen shape two groups of Vatica have been recognized. Within the genus pollen diversity is valuable for identification and delimiting species

The genus Teijsmanniodendron Koord. (Lamiaceae)

A revision of the genus Teijsmanniodendron Koord.(Lamiaceae) is presented with a summary of its taxonomic history, keys, full descriptions, distribution maps, conservation assessments, ecological information and ethno-botanical notes. In this treatment, 23 species are recognised, one new combination is made: Teijsmanniodendron havilandii (Ridl.) G. Rusea, 14 names are placed into synonymy for the first time, one species is neotypified, five are lectotypified and six new species are described: T. bullatum G. Rusea, T. latiffii G. Rusea, T. obscurinerve G.Rusea, T. punctatum G. Rusea, T. renageorgeae G. Rusea and T. zainudinii G. Rusea. One species name is validated, T.scaberrimum Kosterm. ex G. Rusea and one species is excluded from the genus: T. petelotii Moldenke

Interpretive structural modelling: Hierarchical relationship model of appreciating diversity competency for educational leaders

The dynamics of diversity and cultural competency are elements that run parallel with globalization. Appreciating diversity is part of global leadership competency. However, this assumption may not hold in a context in which multiculturalism diversity and competency are not an integral element for leadership competency for public sector educational leaders. Public organization should assimilate and practice appreciating diversity in the organizational leadership competency. Thus, the central aim of this study is to investigate and examine the appreciating diversity competency for educational leaders. The paper analyzed the appreciating competencies by using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) based on experts’ consensus. The cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis ascertained and classified each competency based on their driving and dependent power. The hierarchical model developed through ISM yielded seven appreciating competencies divided into two dimensions for educational leaders. The model proposed could be adopted by stakeholders to upgrade the competency of educational leaders to practice and apply appreciating diversity. The ISM model could be adopted for the training and development of future educational leaders in preparation to administer and lead multicultural and multigenerational organizational communities

Leaf micro-morphological characteristics of selected Vatica species (Dipterocarpaceae) from Kubah National Park, Sarawak

Genus Vatica L. is one of the largest groups in the family Dipterocarpaceae with 71 species have been botanically described, distributed from India, Sri Lanka to Myanmar, Indochina, Sumatra, Borneo and the Philippines. Borneo with 35 species has the largest representative. In Sarawak, 32 species have been recorded, occurring especially in mixed and upper dipterocarp forests and also non-saline habitats from sea level up to about 1,800 m altitude. Kubah National Park is among the richest site for genus Vatica in Sarawak with 11 species recorded. The Vatica species are distinguished from other genera of Dipterocarpaceae by the absence of looped intra-marginal nerves on leaf, winged fruits encloses less than half of the nut, glabrous anthers and stout style. However, in term of inter species within its genus, Vatica is the most difficult dipterocarp to be identified, which explains why this common genus so poorly known. This study was conducted to examine leaves characteristics particularly its micro morphology to differentiate some selected Vatica species from Kubah National Park. Leaves samples were observed via Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM). The characteristics and indumentums were compared between each species and noted. Results show that leaf micro morphology characteristics are significantly useful to differentiate the species level and intra-specific level

Pollen and seed morphology of rhinacanthus nees and hypoestes Sol. ex R. Br. (Acanthaceae) of Yemen

Pollens and seeds of Hypoestes and Rhinacanthus collected from different field localities in Taiz and Soqotra Island, Yemen were investigated by using light and scanning electron microscopes. Pollen grains of Hypoestes were prolate in equatorial view, lobate trigonal to lobate circular in polar view whereas those of Rhinacanthus were subspheroidal and rounded trigonal in polar view. The aperture was tricolporate and exine ornamentation was coarsely reticulate for all species in the two genera. Scanning electron microscopy and morphological observations showed that mature dry seeds of Hypoestes and Rhinacanthus have various sizes and shapes, the surface ornamentations observed were reticulate to cristate, an addition to the tuberculum and papillae. The three Hypoestes species differ in the seed structure which are useful for identification and their high structural diversity provides an important taxonomic value for species differentiation

Effect of pre-treatment on physical properties and sensory attributes of gelatin extracted from sutchi catfish (Pangasius sutchi) Skin / Normah Ismail and Wan Najma Farhaten Wan A Latiff

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of pre-treatment on the fishy flavour and odour removal of gelatine extracted from the skin of sutchi catfish (Pangasius sutchi). Pre-treatment of the skin involved soaking at 4°C in distilled water (GC), lime followed by tamarind (GLT) or salt followed by activated carbon (GSC) prior to extraction in warm distilled water (50°C) for 12 hours. Yield, physical properties and sensory were determined. Results showed that GLT produced highest yield (19.72%) compared to GSC (15.01%) and GC (15.81%). Although, GLT exhibited lowest gel strength (282.29g), viscoelasticity (14.1ºC) and setting point (10.46ºC) compared to other pre-treatments, fishy flavour and odour of the gelatine were almost absent with the score of 1.68 and 1.74, respectively. These values were below those of reference which are 1.87 (fishy flavour) and 2.71 (fishy odour) denoting from ‘absent to weak’. Since fishy flavour and odour were almost absent, soaking sutchi catfish skin in lime followed by tamarind could be a good method for achieving the desired sensory attributes of the freshwater fish by the reduction of the gelatine off flavour

Morphometric profile of tendocalcaneus of South Africans of European ancestry using a cadaveric approach

Background: Tendocalcaneus is a strong tendon that is vital for bipedalism in humans. Despite its tremendous strength, the tendocalcaneus is prone to damage and degeneration causing mobility problems and pain. Morphometric dimension of the tendocalcaneus is of benefit to the surgical repair and reconstruction of the damaged tendon. Cadaveric approach provides a realistic method for determining tendocalcaneus morphometry and as at present only two cadaveric studies on Indian population is available. Thus this study presents data on tendocalcaneus morphometry in South Africans of European ancestry using a cadaveric approach. Materials and methods: A total of 66 lower limbs (32 left and 34 right legs) sourced from 49 male and female cadavers were used. After careful dissection of the posterior aspect of leg, the medial and lateral length, distal width, distal circumference and proximal width of the tendocalcaneus were measured. Results: The data showed a high degree of reproducibility indicating that the measurements obtained using cadaveric approach were precise and accurate. There was no difference in measurements between the sides. Measurements in the males were generally higher than in the females. Strong associations were observed between the paired measurements of the medial and lateral tendon length and between the distal width and distal circumference. Conclusions: The data obtained will be useful in predicting tendocalcaneus size during the surgical reconstruction of the tendocalcaneus

A comparative study of dermatoglyphic markers in schizophrenia patients and normal controls

Background: Schizophrenia is a complex mental illness with multiple etiological factors. Prenatal insult to the developing foetus has been implicated as a major risk factor for the genesis of schizophrenia, according to the neuro-developmental model. As the brain and skin are ectodermal derivatives, insult to developing brain is reflected in several dermatoglyphic markers.Methods: Total finger ridge count (TFRC), Total A-B ridge count (TABRC) and ATD Angle of 100 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were compared with 100 age and sex matched healthy controls.Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in the values recorded and compared between healthy controls and schizophrenia patients.Conclusions: This study shows the correlation between abnormalities in dermatoglyphic patterns and development of schizophrenia

The effect of digital and physical filters on image quality for quantitative Tc-99m single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Pengukuran kuantitatif dilakukan menggunakan data SPECT untuk mengukur saiz dan menganggar jumlah aktiviti radionuklid di dalam sesuatu organ atau lesi. Foton terserak pada imej merupakan masalah utama untuk memperolehi pengukuran kuantitatif yang tepat. Tujuan kajian ini dilakukan adalah untuk mengkaji kesan penuras fizikal terhadap kualiti imej di dalam pengimejan kuantitatif SPECT. An absolute quantitation can be made on SPECT data to accurately measure the volume and estimate total radionuclide activity in the organ or lesion. The major problem to produce an accurate quantitation is the contamination of SPECT images by scattered photons. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of physical filters on image quality in quantitative SPECT imaging