Population dynamics of yellowtail scad, Atule mate (Cuvier 1833) in Marudu Bay, Sabah, Malaysia

The yellowtail scad, Atule mate, forms important fisheries throughout the Indo-Pacific region. To know about the stock status of A. mate in Malaysia, various population parameters were measured, by utilizing length-frequency data, that included asymptotic length (L∞), growth coefficient (K), mortality rates (Z, F and M), exploitation level (E) and recruitment pattern of this species from Marudu Bay, Sabah, Malaysia. Total length and body weight relationship was estimated as W = 0.007TL3.148 (R2 = 0.937). The asymptotic length (L∞) and growth coefficient (K) were estimated 27.80 cm and 1.50 yr−1, respectively. Total mortality (Z), natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) were found to be 4.53, 2.46 and 2.07 yr−1, respectively. The exploitation level (E) was estimated 0.46. It was showed that the recruitment pattern was continuous with two major peaks per year. Relative yield per recruit predicted a maximum exploitation rate (Emax) which was 0.55. The current E value (0.46) is lower than the optimum exploitation (E = 0.50) as well predicted Emax. Therefore, it could be concluded that stock of A. mate in the investigated area of Marudu Bay, Sabah is under exploited

Ankle fractures: the operative outcome

Ankle fractures are commonly seen in orthopaedic practice. This retrospective study of patients with ankle fractures who underwent surgical treatment in our institution from January 2000 to December 2003 was undertaken to analyze the common causes and patterns of ankle fractures; and the functional outcome of operative treatment for these fractures. Eighty patients were identified and reviewed. There were 65 male (81.3%) and 15 female patients (18.7%) with age ranging from 13 to 71 years old (mean, 32.3y). Common causes of ankle fractures were trauma (especially motor vehicle accidents), sports injuries and the osteoporotic bones in the elderly. Weber C (64.0%) was the most common pattern of fracture at presentation. The most common operative treatment for ankle fractures was open reduction and internal fixation (73 patients, 91.2%). Excellent and good outcomes were achieved in 93.8% of cases when measured using the Olerud and Molander scoring system for foot and ankle. In conclusion, operative treatment for ankle fractures restores sufficient stability and allowed mobility of the ankle joint

Investigation of structural, electronic and thermoelectric properties of XCUOTE (X: BI, CE, LE) with GGA-WC exchange correlation functional

Linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbitals (LAPW + lo) method designed within density functional theory (DFT) has been used in this study to calculate the structural, electronic and thermoelectric properties of XCuOTe (X=Bi, Ce, La). Generalized gradient approximation, Wu-Cohen (GGA-WC) parameterized exchange correlation functional, was used. The structural and electronic calculations have a good agreement with previous study. For thermoelectric calculation, semi empirical Boltzmann approach implemented in BoltzTraP package was used to calculate Seebeck coefficient, electronic conductivity as well as thermal conductivity. By referring to previous studies, the results have good agreement with them. In addition, the Seebeck coefficient of these materials was calculated as a function of the chemical potential at temperatures 300K, 600K, and 900K. Our calculations highlight suitability of these materials for applications in thermoelectric devices

Structural classification of employability skills hierarchy using rasch analysis model

This study considers the procedures for conducting item classification employing Raech Analysis Model. The knowledge of the hierarchy enables lecturers to organize their learning objective and also permits the students to measure their employability. The survey study employs exploratory sequential mixed methods. It was conducted to identify and give the hierarchy of the skills required by Electrical Technology students in Colleges of Education in Nigeria to be employable. The first phase involved 10 electrical experts from Industry and Colleges of Education who were purposely selected. The analysis of the findings obtained using Nvivo 12 led to the second phase which comprised of 104 respondents. The sample also consists of Electrical Technology expert in both Industry and Academics. In order to ensure that all items fit the Rasch Analysis Model, the fit statistics were performed to refine and remove all misfits item. Because, the item was ordinal and ranked, Partial Credit (Rasch) Model was involved in the treatment. A separation index of 3.28 and 5.28 was obtained for the technical and non-technical skills with a reliability of .91 and .97 respectively. The implication is that each group is unique and therefore, the most basic item at the bottom of the hierarchy must be learned before the next higher-order item

Enhancing recovery of bioactive compounds from cosmos caudatus leaves via ultrasonic extraction

Cosmos caudatus (C. caudatus) is a medicinal plant that is high in bioactive compounds such as phenolics. In this study, an ultrasound extraction method was used to optimise the extraction of bioactive compounds from C. caudatus leaves. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box-Behnken design (BBD) was applied to obtain the optimum extraction parameters which is solid–liquid ratio (10–30 g/mL), particle size (180–850 µm) and extraction time (20–30 min) for maximal quercitrin and total phenolic content (TPC) yields. Analysis of antimicrobial activity was performed against two human pathogenic microbes: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) by the agar well diffusion method. The optimal ultrasonic extraction condition was as follow: solvent-liquid ratio of 1:28 (g/mL), particle size of 485 µm, and duration of 30 min, respectively. Remarkably, extraction using ultrasonic method had recovered more bioactive content and antioxidant activity than the Soxhlet method. The extract also exhibited good antimicrobial activities. Due to the above findings, the ultrasonic extraction was found to be suitable to improve recovery extraction of quercitrin and TPC from C. caudatus leaves. It also opens the possibility that the plant extract can be used for functional food and antimicrobial agents in various applications

Chemical and functional properties of bovine and porcine skin gelatin

Abstract: The ability to compare bovine and porcine skin gelatin based on their amino acid composition, polypeptides pattern, bloom strength, turbidity and foaming properties were investigated. Amino acid composition of both gelatin showed that the content of glycine, proline and arginine in porcine gelatin were higher than bovine gelatin. However, the polypeptides pattern between both gelatin is closely similar. The bloom strength of porcine gelatin was higher than bovine gelatin from pH 3 to pH 10. Both gelatin possessed highest bloom strength at pH 9. The lowest bloom strength of bovine gelatin was at pH 3 while porcine gelatin at pH 5. The highest turbidity of bovine gelatin obtained at pH 7 while porcine gelatin at pH 9. Foam expansion and foam stability of bovine gelatin were higher than porcine gelatin at all concentrations

A review on the current issues and barriers of Industrialised Building System (IBS) adoption in Malaysia’s construction industry

Malaysia considers the construction industry as one of the main contributors to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, there are some unresolved issues arising from the ongoing and widespread adoption of the conventional method of construction such as the resultant fragmentation of the industry itself; delays in production and delivery time of unnecessary wastages and lack of sustainability practice. Malaysian Government has been continuously encouraging the industry to use, partly or if not wholly, the Industrialized Building System (IBS), which is considered to be an important part of sustainable construction initiative. IBS was introduced to Malaysia as the solution to issues related to dependencies of foreign workers, raising demand for affordable accommodations and improving image, quality and productivity of construction industry. However, the IBS adoption in Malaysia remains low. This paper presents the review of the current issues and barriers of IBS adoption in Malaysian construction industr

Potential of oil palm trunk starch as flocculant for contaminant of emerging compound removal

In this preliminary study, a natural flocculant is developed from an oil palm trunk. The flocculant further tested for its ability in turbidity and COD removal with additional of atrazine in wastewater and demineralised water matrix. At the optimum dosage of 20mg/L, the developed cationic OPT starch able to remove around 95% turbidity and 85% COD. In addition, the cationic OPT starch also show the ability to remove spiked atrazine from both water matrixes to the maximum range of 55-85%. In conclusion, the developed oil-palm based flocculant show great potential for real-world application with added cost-effective benefits

Study on Ultimate Properties and Crystallinity Index of Torrefied Biochar from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch

This study was conducted to characterize the elemental properties and crystallinity index of the torrefied oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) biochar from torrefaction process via furnace intended for being as an alternative renewable energy sources. The influence of three major torrefaction parameters namely particle size, holding temperature and residence time was investigated. Characterization of torrefied OPEFB biochar had been done by elemental analyser and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for ultimate properties and crystallinity index respectively. The carbon element in the torrefied OPEFB biochar was increased when the holding temperature and residence time increased while oxygen element amount is decreasing. This is due to decomposition of hemicellulose occurred in this region. For crystallinity index (CrI) by XRD, there was decreasing pattern occurred as the holding temperature and residence time increased from 200–300°C and 30-90 minutes respectively. This shows that the torrefied OPEFB biochar’s cellulose crystallinity is reduced as the cellulose become completely amorphous

Thirty-Day Clinical Outcome of Primary Percutaneous Intervention Versus Fibrinolysis Followed by Coronary Angiography in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)is the preferred reperfusion strategy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, timely PCI cannot be offered to many patients. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the 30-day clinical outcome of primary PCI strategy and fibrinolysis followed by coronary angiography strategy in STEMI patients. Methods: This was a prospective, observational, single center study. All patients admitted for STEMI from 1 January 2016 to 30 November 2016 were screened for the study. Patients were divided into 2 reperfusion strategies: primary PCI or fibrinolysis followed by coronary angiography. Primary outcome was composite of all-cause mortality at 30 days. Results: A total of 178 patients were identified: 33 (18.5%) underwent primary PCI and 145 (81.5%) underwent fibrinolysis first. The median door-to-balloon time in the primary PCI group was 161.0 minutes (IQR 84.5). The median time from fibrinolysis-to-arrival at catheterization lab was 1738 minutes (IQR 901). The median total ischaemic time was 369 min (IQR 524) and 210 (IQR 247) for the primary PCI and fibrinolysis first group respectively (p=0.002). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis for 30-day all-cause mortality was 24.2% vs 9.7% respectively in primary PCI and fibrinolysis group p=0.018). Multivariate Linear Regression showed that Killip Class and LVEF were independent predictors of 30-day all-cause mortality. Reperfusion strategy was not associated with 30-day all-cause mortality (p=0.216). Conclusions: The clinical outcome of primary PCI strategy in STEMI is not better than fibrinolysis followed by coronary angiography strategy when timely PCI cannot be performed