Morphological traits alteration of mutant common turf grass (Cynodon dactylon) induced by gamma ray irradiation

The experiment was conducted to study Cynodon dactylon morphological improvement and breeding by induced mutation using gamma ray irradiation at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Malaysian Institute of Nuclear Technology Research (MINT) center. C. dactylon is a widely used turf in Malaysia especially for golf course and football field. However, its coarse leaf texture and long internodes are undesirable for good quality golf field. In this purpose mutagenesis by gamma ray irradiation was employed using 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 Gy to treat 30 single node stolons per treatment. Dosages of 90 Gy were determined as LD50 for the radio sensitivity test. Survival rate of C. dactylon stolon was greatly reduced when irradiated with higher dosages. This experiment was repeated using LD50 on 1500 single node stolons. Twenty two (22) morphological mutants were identified and evaluated. Most mutants were semi-dwarf type with reduced internode length and leaf blade length. The altered morphological traits were stable after third cutting back (M1V3) shown by their morphological performance. Mutation breeding is effective in improving C. dactylon when easily recognized cultivars are needed

Mathematical Modelling for Predicting the Performance of Photovoltaic Modul

The demand for photovoltaic (PV) system is growing rapidly driven by technological development and awareness of green environment. A photovoltaic system converts the energy of light into electricity without emission of harmful by-product. A complete PV system consists of a solar panel (which combination of few solar cells), Pulse Width Modular (PWM) and a battery. Eight photovoltaic parameters are used to characterized the quality and efficiency of a PV module i.e (i) short circuit current (ISC), (ii) open circuit voltage (VOC), (iii) Theoretical Power (PT), (iv) maximum power (PMAX), (v) voltage at PMAX (VMPP) , (vi) current at PMAX (IMPP), (vii) fill factor (FF) and (viii) efficiency (). The PV parameters of laboratory scale solar cell could be determined based on current-voltage (I-V) and power-voltage (P-V) curves which could be plotted using a combination of solar simulator and a potentiostat instruments. Two additional PV parameters i.e (i) reverse saturation current of diode (IRC) and (ii) photocurrent (IPV) have been studied intensively as input of mathematical models to simulate and determine the quality and efficiency of solar cells. However, reproduceable results and robust mathematical models are yet to be established. A mathematical model employing the IRC, IPV and diode ideality factor (a) – which received lack of focus by previous researchers; is proposed. We have validated the mathematical model by comparing the calculation I-V and P-V curves results with the specifications established by the manufacturer. We have conducted three studies based on different specification of silicon based solar module i.e (i) 300W, (ii) 265W and (iii) 250W to obtain temperature distributions and average solar irradiance at selected locations. Through a comparative analysis, the theoretical calculation results and the manufacturers’ specifications are in good agreement

Mathematical modelling for predicting the performance of photovoltaic module

The demand for photovoltaic (PV) system is growing rapidly driven by technological development and awareness of green environment. A photovoltaic system converts the energy of light into electricity without emission of harmful by-product. A complete PV system consists of a solar panel (which combination of few solar cells), Pulse Width Modular (PWM) and a battery. Eight photovoltaic parameters are used to characterized the quality and efficiency of a PV module i.e (i) short circuit current (ISC), (ii) open circuit voltage (VOC), (iii) Theoretical Power (PT), (iv) maximum power (PMAX), (v) voltage at PMAX (VMPP) , (vi) current at PMAX (IMPP), (vii) fill factor (FF) and (viii) efficiency (). The PV parameters of laboratory scale solar cell could be determined based on current-voltage (I-V) and power voltage (P-V) curves which could be plotted using a combination of solar simulator and a potentiostat instruments. Two additional PV parameters i.e (i) reverse saturation current of diode (IRC) and (ii) photocurrent (IPV) have been studied intensively as input of mathematical models to simulate and determine the quality and efficiency of solar cells. However, reproduceable results and robust mathematical models are yet to be established. A mathematical model employing the IRC, IPV and diode ideality factor (a) – which received lack of focus by previous researchers; is proposed. We have validated the mathematical model by comparing the calculation I-V and P-V curves results with the specifications established by the manufacturer. We have conducted three studies based on different specification of silicon based solar module i.e (i) 300W, (ii) 265W and (iii) 250W to obtain temperature distributions and average solar irradiance at selected locations. Through a comparative analysis, the theoretical calculation results and the manufacturers’ specifications are in good agreemen

The Identification of Arabic Teaching Models in Aliy Ma'had l Tahdid Anwau’ Ta’lim al-Lugah al-'Arabiyah fi al-Ma’had al-‘Aliy

The study of teaching Arabic models in Aliy Ma’had was necessary to be conducted. It could make contribution in designing Arabic teaching. The purpose of this research was to analyze the models of Arabic teaching. This research was field research which the researcher obtained and collected data from the research location.  Two types of data were used in this research namely primary data and secondary data. Primary data was obtained from sheikh of Ma'had, 3 chiefs of Ma'had, 10 teachers, and 30 students. Secondary data was obtained from alumni, documents, and online news that was related to the topic. In collecting data, observation, interview, documentation, and FGD were used. Miles and Huberman model was used in this research. The results showed that the teaching Arabic in Aliy Ma’had consisted of four models. First, teaching Arabic with a conventional model: teaching that took place in official classes. Second, teaching Arabic with an extracurricular model: teaching that takes place outside the classroom and is supported by conventional teaching to improve both Arabic language skills. Third, teaching Arabic with the halaqiyah model: students learnt classical Islamic sciences by sitting on the floor in front of the teacher, which took place in the mosque after every evening and dawn prayers. Fourth, teaching Arabic with visiting teacher’s house where students studied further to strengthen scientific and spiritual connections. This research suggested the teacher and the institution in improving this topic to contribute Arabic teaching development in Aliy Ma’had

Morphological traits alteration of mutant common turf grass (Cynodon dactylon) induced by gamma ray irradiation

The experiment was conducted to study Cynodon dactylon morphological improvement and breeding by induced mutation using gamma ray irradiation at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Malaysian Institute of Nuclear Technology Research (MINT) center. C. dactylon is a widely used turf in Malaysia especially for golf course and football field. However, its coarse leaf texture and long internodes are undesirable for good quality golf field. In this purpose mutagenesis by gamma ray irradiation was employed using 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 Gy to treat 30 single node stolons per treatment. Dosages of 90 Gy were determined as LD50 for the radio sensitivity test. Survival rate of C. dactylon stolon was greatly reduced when irradiated with higher dosages. This experiment was repeated using LD50 on 1500 single node stolons. Twenty-two (22) morphological mutants were identified and evaluated. Most mutants were semi-dwarf type with reduced internode length and leaf blade length. The altered morphological traits were stable after third cutting back (M1V3) shown by their morphological performance. Mutation breeding is effective in improving C. dactylon when easily recognized cultivars are needed

Genetic Identification of Critically Endangered Orangutans in Captivity

A large numerals of the orangutans’ genetic status in captivity is unknown to its exact, thus complicates the translocation process to their true natural habitat. A study was carried out to identify 37 captive orangutans in Peninsular Malaysia at the species and subspecies level using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) displacement loop (D-loop) region DNA sequences. Orangutan genetic samples were provided by the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island (BMOUI), Zoo Negara, Zoo Taiping and the A’ Famosa. Total genomic DNA was extracted from both fecal and blood samples. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using specific primers for the orang utan. Data analyses were carried out using distance and character based approaches, namely the neighbor joining (NJ), maximum parsimony (MP), and Bayesian techniques. About 8 individuals were identified as Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus, 20 as P. p. morio, 5 as P. p. wurmbii, and 4 as P. abelii. All samples were successfully identified with high probabilities. The results obtained in this study contributes to improve the understanding of captive orangutans’ genetic identification, and indirectly, a guide to the authorities in developing plans for the management in captivity and conservation of primates in Malaysia using molecular dat

Association between Self-control and Aggression: An Analysis among Low Socioeconomic Status Individuals in East Coast of Malaysia

Low socioeconomic status (Low SES) is often linked to aggressive and violent behaviour. However, there is a lack of studies in Malaysia that ascertain the relationship between Low SES, self-control and aggression. Therefore the aim of this present study was to identify the association between self-control and aggression levels among Low SES individuals. 140 adult Low SES males voluntarily participated in this quantitative study. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit the respondents in this study. The present study was an observational cross sectional study using self-administrated questionnaires carried out in the East Coast of Malaysia. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation test were employed for the purpose of analyses. The result evidenced statistically significant correlation between self-control and aggression levels (r = 0.444, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.57; p < 0.001). The findings of this study would provide some insights on the correlations of self-control and aggression among Low SES individuals from statistical and psychological perspectives

Adaptive Value of Phenological Traits in Stressful Environments: Predictions Based on Seed Production and Laboratory Natural Selection

Phenological traits often show variation within and among natural populations of annual plants. Nevertheless, the adaptive value of post-anthesis traits is seldom tested. In this study, we estimated the adaptive values of pre- and post-anthesis traits in two stressful environments (water stress and interspecific competition), using the selfing annual species Arabidopsis thaliana. By estimating seed production and by performing laboratory natural selection (LNS), we assessed the strength and nature (directional, disruptive and stabilizing) of selection acting on phenological traits in A. thaliana under the two tested stress conditions, each with four intensities. Both the type of stress and its intensity affected the strength and nature of selection, as did genetic constraints among phenological traits. Under water stress, both experimental approaches demonstrated directional selection for a shorter life cycle, although bolting time imposes a genetic constraint on the length of the interval between bolting and anthesis. Under interspecific competition, results from the two experimental approaches showed discrepancies. Estimation of seed production predicted directional selection toward early pre-anthesis traits and long post-anthesis periods. In contrast, the LNS approach suggested neutrality for all phenological traits. This study opens questions on adaptation in complex natural environment where many selective pressures act simultaneously

Global burden of chronic respiratory diseases and risk factors, 1990–2019: an update from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Updated data on chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are vital in their prevention, control, and treatment in the path to achieving the third UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a one-third reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. We provided global, regional, and national estimates of the burden of CRDs and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019. Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we estimated mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), prevalence, and incidence of CRDs, i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumoconiosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis, and other CRDs, from 1990 to 2019 by sex, age, region, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) in 204 countries and territories. Deaths and DALYs from CRDs attributable to each risk factor were estimated according to relative risks, risk exposure, and the theoretical minimum risk exposure level input. Findings: In 2019, CRDs were the third leading cause of death responsible for 4.0 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval 3.6–4.3) with a prevalence of 454.6 million cases (417.4–499.1) globally. While the total deaths and prevalence of CRDs have increased by 28.5% and 39.8%, the age-standardised rates have dropped by 41.7% and 16.9% from 1990 to 2019, respectively. COPD, with 212.3 million (200.4–225.1) prevalent cases, was the primary cause of deaths from CRDs, accounting for 3.3 million (2.9–3.6) deaths. With 262.4 million (224.1–309.5) prevalent cases, asthma had the highest prevalence among CRDs. The age-standardised rates of all burden measures of COPD, asthma, and pneumoconiosis have reduced globally from 1990 to 2019. Nevertheless, the age-standardised rates of incidence and prevalence of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis have increased throughout this period. Low- and low-middle SDI countries had the highest age-standardised death and DALYs rates while the high SDI quintile had the highest prevalence rate of CRDs. The highest deaths and DALYs from CRDs were attributed to smoking globally, followed by air pollution and occupational risks. Non-optimal temperature and high body-mass index were additional risk factors for COPD and asthma, respectively. Interpretation: Albeit the age-standardised prevalence, death, and DALYs rates of CRDs have decreased, they still cause a substantial burden and deaths worldwide. The high death and DALYs rates in low and low-middle SDI countries highlights the urgent need for improved preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures. Global strategies for tobacco control, enhancing air quality, reducing occupational hazards, and fostering clean cooking fuels are crucial steps in reducing the burden of CRDs, especially in low- and lower-middle income countries