Pengetahuan, Amalan Pengurusan dan Aplikasi Pemakanan dalam Kalangan Pengusaha Prasekolah

Penyertaan kanak-kanak dalam program pendidikan prasekolah semakin hari semakin meningkat. Oleh itu, tanggungjawab ibu bapa menyediakan makanan dan nutrien yang mencukupi dan bersesuaian telah beralih kepada pengusaha prasekolah. Dengan bertambahnya tanggungjawab ini maka adalah perlu untuk menilai amalan pemakanan kanak-kanak dalam kalangan pengusaha prasekolah. Kajian ini dijalankan bertujuan untuk mengkaji pengetahuan, amalan pengurusan dan aplikasi pemakanan dalam kalangan pengusaha prasekolah. Kajian ini juga menentukan hubungan latar belakang pengusaha dan sumber pengetahuan terhadap pengetahuan pemakanan. Seratus lapan puluh satu orang pengusaha prasekolah di negeri Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur terlibat dalam kajian ini. Sampel kajian dipilih menggunakan kaedah rawak mudah. Tiga alat kajian telah dibentuk dan digunakan di dalam kajian ini. Alat kajian tersebut adalah Soal Selidik Pengetahuan Pemakanan, Soal Selidik Amalan Pengurusan Pemakanan dan Senarai Semak Pemerhatian. Kebolehpercayaan alat kaj ian ini adalah .66 dan .65 masing-masing. Kesahan kandungan soal selidik telah dianalisis oleh panel yang terdiri daripada dua orang pakar. Aplikasi amalan pemakanan dicerap oleh sepuluh orang pemerhati terlatih. Inter rater reliability bagi senarai semak pemerhatian adalah .86 untuk bahagian satu dan .65 untuk bahagian dua. Majoriti sampel dalam kajian ini berusia 30 tahun ke atas, mempunyai Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia dan pemah menghadiri kursus pemakanan. Min skor pengetahuan pemakanan adalah 66.4%. Dapatan menunjukkan terdapat salah konsep berkaitan makanan seimbang dan porsi makanan yang sesuai. Dapatan juga menunjukkan terdapat hubungan di antara kursus pemakanan dengan pengetahuan pemakanan [ X2 (1, 181)=5.602, p<.05 ]. Terdapat juga hubungan yang signifikan antara buku (r=. 179, p<.05), kolej / universiti (r=.179, p<.05), kursus (r=. 158, p<.05) dan ceramah (r=. 154, p<.05) dengan pengetahuan pemakanan. Kajian juga mendapati pengusaha prasekolah mempunyai amalan pengurusan pemakanan yang positif. Walau bagaimanapun mereka juga mempunyai amalan pengurusan pemakanan negatif terhadap aspek perancangan menu dan persekitaran sosial dan emosi semasa makan. Pemerhatian ke atas suasana makan mendapati kebanyakan guru tidak makan bersama kanak-kanak dan interaksi antara mereka juga kurang berlaku

Selamatkan Planet Kita: Mereka Bentuk Semula Pakaian Terpakai Untuk Pelbagai Kegunaan

Tujuan kertas kerja ini adalah untuk memberikan maklumat serta kesedaran kepada masyarakat umum berkenaan isu-isu berkenaan kepentingan kitar semula produk tekstil dan pakaian. Ini adalah kerana industri fesyen antara yang paling banyak menghasilkan lebihan bahan buangan yang menyebabkan pencemaran alam sekitar. Sisa buangan hasil bahan-bahan tekstil kini semakin menjadi perkara biasa dalam industri fesyen. Perkara ini berlaku apabila perubahan fesyen berlaku dengan begitu cepat dan pantas. Ini disebabkan industri fesyen kini mengeluarkan banyak pilihan rekaan pakaian dengan menawarkan harga yang rendah. Oleh itu, pengguna mempunyai banyak pilihan stail pakaian untuk dilupuskan dan dikitar semula

Different element/Ca ratios in the otolith of cultured sea bass in Malaysia and relationship to salinity

The otoliths of cultured sea bass (Lates calcarifer) were sampled from 24 locations in Malaysian coastal waters in order to analyse the ratio values of Sr/Ca, Mg/Ca, Ba/Ca and Zn/Ca. Then the ratio values were discriminated to reconstruct a reliable marker for the migration of wild sea bass. Cultured sea bass was collected from cages and ponds along Malaysian coastal areas from March 2007 to May 2009 with ambient water salinity from oligohaline (0.1 psu) to euhaline (30-35 psu). The study found that the ratios of Mg/Ca and Zn/Ca in cultured sea bass otoliths were not influenced by the variation in water salinity. However, contradictory pattern value ratios of Ba/Ca in sea bass otoliths were found for the thalassic series. The oligohaline waters were shown to have the highest Ba/Ca ratio with the exception of Sr/Ca ratios in saline waters. This indicates that the concentration of the Sr element is slightly dominant in the otolith whereas the content of Ba was significant with salinity values. The Partition Coefficient (DMe) value also supports the proposition that the Ba element is a good tracer for salinity fluctuations in the otolith as shown by the sea bass migration track along the salinity gradient according to thalassic series

Fashion and clothing instrument for Malaysian fashion lecturers: an analysis of the instructors’ competency scale

A latest fashion and clothing instrument that has high validity and reliability can serve as a predictor in measuring the competency of lecturers in the field of fashion. Indirectly, with this instrument, it is expected to improve the competency content that still needs to be explored and refined. Apart from that, this kind of exploration opens up new opportunities to enrich theories and models in the fashion and clothing field. This study aims to validate the knowledge competency scale of fashion and clothing among lecturers. The questionnaires consisted of 45 items, ranging from multiple choice questions to matching questions, right and wrong questions, and fill-in-blank questions. The validation of the constructs was carried out in two phases, firstly, using the Rasch Measurement Model (RMM), and secondly using the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Results from the RMM analysis showed that there were 18 misfit items that needed to be removed. Additionally, through the CFA (convergent and discriminant validity), the instrument recorded a consistent internal validity scales of good, acceptable, and fit to the model. All four sub-constructs were also recorded as having high validity, since the overall model showed a good and acceptable fit. In the regard, the scale was deemed successful in fulfilling the psychometric standard and the instrument was adequately stable and could be used at any given time for samples that possessed the same or almost the same criteria

Assessment Activity of 210Po and 210Pb in the Edible Tissues of Cultured Seabass (Lates calcarifer)at Peninsular Malaysia

Analysis levels of 210Po and 210Pb were determined in the edible tissue of sea bass (Lates calcarifer) from 14 cages in the west and east coast Peninsular of Malaysia. The concentrations level in fish were found varies from 1.35 ± 0.22 to 6.20 ± 0.99 Bq/kg dry weight210Po and 3.30 ± 2.69 to 51.71 ± 19.26 Bq/kg dry weight 210Pb. The level of this radionuclide was much related to the anthropogenic activities at the sampling locations neighbouring area, differences in metabolisms of fish and food intake pattern for each cage. Then the calculated daily intake value due to fish consumption was to be 7.69 mBq/d/person210Po and 35.90 mBq/d/person210Pb, which lower than those reported in others countries. In addition, the collective doses of210Po and210Pb were estimated to be 0.001mSv/year and 0.009 mSv/year, respectively. This suggests that the dose received by Malaysian due to consumption of fish is rather small, and did not deteriorate human’s health and safe for consumption

Cellular transcripts regulated during infections with Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza virus in 3 host systems

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus is able to infect many hosts and the virus replicates in high levels in the respiratory tract inducing severe lung lesions. The pathogenesis of the disease is actually the outcome of the infection as determined by complex host-virus interactions involving the functional kinetics of large numbers of participating genes. Understanding the genes and proteins involved in host cellular responses are therefore, critical for the elucidation of the mechanisms of infection.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Differentially expressed transcripts regulated in a H5N1 infections of whole lung organ of chicken, <it>in-vitro </it>chick embryo lung primary cell culture (CeLu) and a continuous Madin Darby Canine Kidney cell line was undertaken. An improved mRNA differential display technique (Gene Fishing™) using annealing control primers that generates reproducible, authentic and long PCR products that are detectable on agarose gels was used for the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Seven of the genes have been selected for validation using a TaqMan^®based real time quantitative PCR assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty seven known and unique differentially expressed genes from lungs of chickens, CeLu and MDCK cells were isolated. Among the genes isolated and identified include heat shock proteins, Cyclin D2, Prenyl (decaprenyl) diphosphate synthase, IL-8 and many other unknown genes. The quantitative real time RT-PCR assay data showed that the transcription kinetics of the selected genes were clearly altered during infection by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The Gene Fishing™ technique has allowed for the first time, the isolation and identification of sequences of host cellular genes regulated during H5N1 virus infection. In this limited study, the differentially expressed genes in the three host systems were not identical, thus suggesting that their responses to the H5N1 infection may not share similar mechanisms and pathways.</p

Impact of fashion entrepreneurship programme on entrepreneurial interests, intention and competencies

Entrepreneurship education has traditionally focused on formal education, but many initiatives have been taken parallel with the 21st century teaching and learning strategies to engage student experience through learning by doing. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of entrepreneurship education on students’ entrepreneurship interest, intentions and competencies by implementing fashion entrepreneurship program. This study was held at Universiti Putra Malaysia for a period of five months. Samples were selected among undergraduate students who enrolled in Entrepreneurship Courses in First Semester 2016/2017. Screening process comprises interviews and basic sewing test were conducted to select 40 students as the respondents of the program. This program emphasized mentor-mentees system which involved 10 fashion entrepreneurs from the community. Respondents were exposed to entrepreneurship seminars, business and skills trainings, e-marketing workshops, sewing classes as well as evaluation sessions. Qualitative data were gathered through questionnaires adapted from Mc Clellandand Mc Ber & Co (1985) as well as questionnaires by Hisyamudin Hassan (2007). Meanwhile qualitative data were collected through continuous observations and the output of the fashion products. The findings indicated that there is a significant positive correlation between entrepreneurship interests with entrepreneurship intentions. Although the findings showed no significant relationship between fashion entrepreneurship program with entrepreneurship intentions and competencies, respondents’ perceptions towards their interest, intentions and competencies at the end of the program are high. Due to time constraints, it was suggested that future entrepreneurship program should be scheduled more structured and in a timely manner to ensure that student can gain benefit throughout the program and the objective of the program can be achieved

Indirect method for quantification of cell biomass during solid-state fermentation of palm kernel cake based on protein content.

Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) of Aspergillus niger FTCC 5003 on Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) is a practical approach to upgrade PKC into value added product. Present study was conducted on Aspergillus niger FTCC 5003 growth profile and models that are able to describe the growth in SSF using PKC substrate. Due to the difficulties of separating cell biomass quantitatively from the substrate for SSF systems, indirect method for measurement of cell growth during SSF of PKC by Aspergillus niger FTCC 5003 was studied based on the estimation of glucosamine and protein content. Preliminary relationships between glucosamine and protein contents to fungal dry cell weight (Dw) were developed using simulated homogenous SSF data using glass beads as support materials. Both glucosamine and protein contents were well correlated to the fungal dry cell weight in SSF on support materials for protein and glucosamine, respectively. The equations obtained were used for the estimation of cell biomass profile during SSF of PKC from the data of glucosamine and protein as growth indicator study. The estimated fungal dry cell weight based on protein concentration and β-mannanase activity as metabolic activity for microbial growth were well correlated to PKC dry weight which, indicating that both were suitable marker in describing the growth of A. niger FTCC 5003 in this system. In contrast, estimated fungal dry cell weight based on glucosamine concentration was not suitable to describe the growth of A. niger FTCC 5003

Cellular transcripts regulated during infectinos with highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in 3 host systems.

BACKGROUND: Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus is able to infect many hosts and the virus replicates in high levels in the respiratory tract inducing severe lung lesions. The pathogenesis of the disease is actually the outcome of the infection as determined by complex host-virus interactions involving the functional kinetics of large numbers of participating genes. Understanding the genes and proteins involved in host cellular responses are therefore, critical for the elucidation of the mechanisms of infection. METHODS: Differentially expressed transcripts regulated in a H5N1 infections of whole lung organ of chicken, in-vitro chick embryo lung primary cell culture (CeLu) and a continuous Madin Darby Canine Kidney cell line was undertaken. An improved mRNA differential display technique (Gene Fishing™) using annealing control primers that generates reproducible, authentic and long PCR products that are detectable on agarose gels was used for the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Seven of the genes have been selected for validation using a TaqMan® based real time quantitative PCR assay. RESULTS: Thirty seven known and unique differentially expressed genes from lungs of chickens, CeLu and MDCK cells were isolated. Among the genes isolated and identified include heat shock proteins, Cyclin D2, Prenyl (decaprenyl) diphosphate synthase, IL-8 and many other unknown genes. The quantitative real time RT-PCR assay data showed that the transcription kinetics of the selected genes were clearly altered during infection by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus. CONCLUSION: The Gene Fishing™ technique has allowed for the first time, the isolation and identification of sequences of host cellular genes regulated during H5N1 virus infection. In this limited study, the differentially expressed genes in the three host systems were not identical, thus suggesting that their responses to the H5N1 infection may not share similar mechanisms and pathways

Reduced graphene oxide-multiwalled carbon nanotubes hybrid film with low Pt loading as counter electrode for improved photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitised solar cells

In this work, the role of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with hyperbranched surfactant and its hybridisation with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) as counter electrode (CE) were investigated to determine the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs). Sodium 1,4-is(neopentyloxy)-3-(neopentyloxycarbonyl)- 1,4-dioxobutane-2-sulphonate (TC14) surfactant was utilised as dispersing and stabilising agent in electrochemical exfoliation to synthesise graphene oxide (GO) as initial solution for rGO production prior to its further hybridisation and fabrication as thin film. A chemical reduction process utilising hydrazine hydrate was conducted to produce rGO due to the low temperature process and water-based GO solution. Subsequently, hybrid solution was prepared by mixing 1 wt% MWCNTs into the produced rGO solution. TC14-rGO and TC14-rGO_MWCNTs hybrid solution were transferred into fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate to fabricate thin film by spraying deposition method. Finally, the CE films were prepared by coating with thin Pt NPs. Photoanode film was prepared by a two-step process: hydrothermal growth method to synthesise titanium dioxide nanowires (TiO2 NWs) and subsequent squeegee method to apply TiO2 NPs. According to solar simulator measurement, the highest energy conversion efficiency (η) was achieved by using CE-based TC14-rGO_MWCNTs/Pt (1.553%), with the highest short current density of 4.424 mA/cm2. The highest η was due to the high conductivity of CE hybrid film and the morphology of fabricated TiO2 NWs/TiO2 NPs. Consequently, the dye adsorption was high, and the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs was increased. This result also showed that rGO and rGO_MWCNTs hybrid can be used as considerable potential candidate materials to replace Pt gradually