Life table and demographic parameters of the metallic blue ladybeetle, Curinus coeruleus mulsant, fed with the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama

Life table parameters were calculated for the blue metallic ladybeetle, Curinus coeruleus Mulsant, fed with the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, at temperatures of 26 - 28° and 75 - 85% RH and natural photoperiod in the insectary of Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia. The development of immature stages took 19.1± 0.3 days; mated adult females lived for 34.2 ± 4.7 (range 24-39) days and produced a mean of 80.3 ± 13.6 progeny female-1 during oviposition period of 21.3 ± 1.4 days, with a sex ratio of 1:1.8 (:). The net reproductive rate (R0) was 59.1 and the capacity for increase (rc) was 0.113. The finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.29 female-1 day-1 while the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) was 0.116 female-1 day-1. Each female contributed 60.2 individuals to the population in a mean generation time (T) of 35.3 days. , Ibrahim, Y.B., Ibrahim, R. and Osman M.S

Preference of the metallic blue ladybeetle Curinus coeruleus Mulsant for different nymphal instars of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Homoptera: Psyllidae)

The preference of the metallic blue ladybeetle, Curinus coeruleus Mulsant for Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama was investigated in the insectary. The aim was to determine whether there was any preference by C. coeruleus at different stages for different instars of the psyllid D. citri. The 1st and 2nd instar larvae exhibited preference for smaller-sized prey, while the 3rd and 4th instar larvae and adult mostly preferred the 4th and 5th instar nymphs. The highest preference value recorded for each stage of the predator, 1st to 4th instar larvae and adult, were 0.49, 0.29, 0.33, 0.33 and 0.34, respectively on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 4th and 4th instar nymphs. The probability of capture indicated significant differences among prey instars captured by each stage of predator. The 1st and 2nd instar larvae captured significantly more 1st and 2nd instar nymphs than the other instar nymphs. In contrast, 3rd and 4th instar larvae and adult predator captured significantly more 4th and 5th instar nymphs. Hence, the results suggest that C. coeruleus exhibited body size preference for D. citri nymphs comparable to or slightly smaller than predator's size (stages). This preference was due to the probability of success in capturing the prey

Obesity and weight reduction: a review on the latest weight reduction strategies

Obesity prevalence in Malaysian adults aged 18 and above has more than tripled over the past 20 years with 4.5% in 1996 to 17.7% in 2015. The alarming trend of the obesity epidemic in Malaysia requires immediate revision of public health policies. Thus this review was conducted to determine the effectiveness of latest weight reduction strategies. Methods: Literature search was conducted as guided by PICO Framework and using online databases PubMed on 22 June 2018. A total of 2,203 articles were found and screened. A total of 26 articles were reviewed. Results: Most weight loss achieved is through surgical intervention with weight reduction of 20.8 kg compared to 8.5 kg reduction in control group (95% CI, p < 0.001). Non-invasive procedures that produced greatest weight reduction include diet modification strategy consisting of isocaloric diet with large breakfast (700 kcal) which produced weight reduction of 8.7 ± 1.4 kg compared to large dinner (700 kcal) 3.6 ± 1.5 kg (95% CI, p < 0.0001, and special diet of adding 3g/day cumin supplementation into normal diet which produced weight reduction of 6.2 kg compared to 4.19 kg reduction in control group (95% CI, p < 0.05. Conclusion: In this review, most weight loss is achieved through surgical intervention. All patients should receive lifestyle therapy and additional consideration should be given for pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery when indicated

Pembelajaran terarah kendiri melalui pendekatan pembelajaran berasaskan masalah: pola kajian berkenaan beberapa artikel terpilih

Pembelajaran terarah kendiri merupakan antara elemen penting dalam implementasi pendekatan pembelajaran berasaskan masalah. Sehubungan itu, sebanyak tujuh artikel dipilih berdasarkan beberapa kriteria tertentu melalui pengkalan data ISI Web Of Science. Artikel-artikel tersebut dianalisis dalam menjawab tiga persoalan kajian iaitu (i) Apakah pemilihan sampel bagi kesemua kajian? (ii) Apakah pemilihan reka bentuk kajian yang digunakan dalam kesemua kajian?(iii) Apakah persamaan dan perbezaan intipati dan dapatan bagi kesemua kajian?Melalui analisis yang dijalankan didapati sebahagian besar kajian menggunakan reka bentuk kajian kes dan reka bentuk kajian eksperimen. Selain itu, pemilihan sampel bagi kebanyakan kajian tertumpu kepada pelajar jurusan perubatan serta fokus atau isu yang diketengahkan adalah dalam melihat faktor dan kesan implementasi pendekatan pembelajaran berasaskan masalah terhadap pembelajaran terarah kendiri

Blended problem based learning (BPBL): opportunities and challenges to be implemented in Malaysian context

One of the key objectives in the National Education Blueprint is to produce students with higher order thinking skills. The concern is raised based on the poor performances of Malaysian students in the international assessments of Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). One of the factors that might contribute to the decline in achievement is the teaching approach applied in Malaysian schools. A revolution in current teaching approach is thus needed. Problem based learning (PBL) is one of the teaching approach being widely implemented and is proven to be beneficial in stimulating students? higher order thinking skills through solving real-world problems. Similarly, the integration of technology during teaching and learning process such as online learning has also been proven to improve students? higher order thinking skill. Based on these foundations, the blended problem based learning (BPBL) that integrates face-to-face PBL and online learning platforms, is believed seems to be an effective teaching approach that can improve PBL and thus enhancing students? higher order thinking skill. This is due to BPBL offers the benefit of both face-to-face PBL and online learning. However, the studies in this area are still insufficient particularly in Malaysian schools? context. Thus, this paper is aimed at discussing on the opportunities and challenges faced in the implementation of BPBL in Malaysian context

A to Z: Current Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Over the past century, the remarkable advances in health care have changed the outlook on Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). The “grim prognosis” has become a story of the past, and today, the life expectancy of the SCI survivors has been comparable to that of general population, and the health care providers are working harder to improve quality of life of SCI patients, whilst various ongoing research are promising for a better healing potentials. At this moment, resources, management strategies and policies are important factors that must be properly managed to further improve the SCI outcomes. As a newcomer, the telerehabilitation system promises to resolve issues on unmet medical needs, financial and manpower constraints, rehabilitation interventions and independence of activities of daily living

Development of an operational excellence framework for organisational performance improvement in the Sudanese aviation industry

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the critical success factors (CSFs) for the successful implementation of operational excellence (OE) by the organisations in the Sudanese aviation industry. Besides that, this study intended to determine the resulted impacts in the improved organisational performance and competitive advantage and quantify the benefits. Design/methodology/approach: The CSFs of OE were provided and dissected to reveal their integrated components and importance levels. The factors include leadership, people management, continuous improvement, operational strategy, and asset optimisation. The impacts (outcomes) were further categorised into four categories, namely financial results, quality of products or services, efficiency, and satisfaction. The outcome groups were presented, while the weight of each outcome was highlighted. Findings: With the OE’s conceptual framework, the CSFs to achieve OE were identified. From the five main factors, the expert panel members suggested that the leadership factor was the most important factor to achieve OE in the Sudanese aviation industry. Ranking the five CSFs and 40 subfactors provided a better understanding of the Sudan situation, specifically the effective implementation of OE philosophy. Research limitations/implications: The findings of the subfactors reported in this study were not enough. As a result, future studies must focus on the detailed descriptions of subfactors related to each of the critical factors. Practical implications: The efficiency in the organisations is generated and enhanced when they become efficient in reducing time wastage, raw materials, and unnecessary processing, and energy used in transportation, storing, and operating plant. Besides, the state of effectiveness is achieved when the organisation achieves its long-term goals through increased customer satisfaction and proves its reason for being. OE is critical as it assures both the efficiency and effectiveness of organisations. Originality/value: Past research have relatively over-emphasised the unilateral “result-driven” perspective of OE that corresponds with the limited concern for enablers, critical forms, and focus of OE. Thus, this paper intended to address this issue

A review on illegals and the stateless in Sabah

Illegal immigrants refer to the migration of people into a country in ways that violates its immigration laws. A stateless person is a person who is not considered as a national by any state under the operation of its law. Interestingly, many who are stateless have never even crossed an international border. The term illegal is very loosely used in places like Sabah where it is interchanged with statelessness. As of 13 November 2018, it was estimated that there are about 12 million stateless people in the world. This review seeks to understand the current demographic situation in Sabah along with the public health repercussions of this demographic change and also to look into the success stories from around the world along with the recommendations from United Nation in solving this matter. Methods: The method used is reviewing of literature of previous studies conducted on statelessness and illegals. Local as well as international studies were reviewed. The data base used was ProQuest. Results: This review identified that one third of Sabah’s population consists of non-locals and in the past 27 years, about half a million illegal immigrants have been deported from Sabah. These numbers pose major public health repercussions from the economic, crime and health point of view. The way forward involves incorporating the United Nation Action plan with the local requirements and settings. Despite challenges, Sabah is trying its best to curb this issue and the Public health repercussions through various initiatives. We have also identified that more public health actions can be taken to reduce the negative effects. Conclusion: Dealing with the stateless and illegals is a delicate matter and there is no one way to solve it. Every country and every state are unique therefore the methods used must be tailor made. This is not something that can be solved within a short period of time and therefore persistence and perseverance is very much needed to tackle this global issue

Digital storytelling for 21st century learning: a study on pre-service teachers’ perception / Siti Fairuz Dalim … [et al.]

Digital Storytelling is one of the new pedagogical tools that calls upon students’ creativity and helps them to “learn by doing”. It is one of the important steps towards creating the 21st century learning environment as it promotes the integration of student-centered and technology-enriched learning environment for learners. Despite the many benefits that this learning tool has to offer, many educators are still reluctant to integrate this kind of technology in their classes which resulted in low implementation of this technology among the educators. Therefore, this study is intended to determine pre-service teachers’ experience and perceptions towards digital storytelling for 21st century skills in learning environment. A set of questionnaire has been distributed to 150 trainee teachers from the Faculty of Education in one of public universities in Malaysia. The result of this study reveals that preservice teachers’ have moderately experienced the use of digital storytelling in their learning (M=2.98; SD=1.332). The finding also showed that the pre-service teachers responded positively towards the use of digital storytelling in the classroom (M=3.94; SD=0.713). The correlation analysis further showed that, the pre-service teachers’ experience with digital storytelling has significantly given impact on their perception towards the implementation of this tool in teaching and learning process. Considering the many advantages of the digital storytelling towards the enhancement of 21st century skills among the younger generations, therefore more aggression steps need to be done to strengthen the teaching preparation programme in higher educational institutions. This is very important to ensure that the future teachers produced are well-equipped with all the teaching skills and technologies to educate the next millennial generations