Integrating vocational training in culinary arts and Islamic studies at juvenile rehabilitation centres: Malaysian experience

The Juvenile Rehabilitation Centres (JRC) in Malaysia aims to provide shelter, counselling and skills training to juveniles specifically for those who wish to transform themselves from the regrettable misdeeds they have committed. At JRCs, an integrated Culinary Vocational Training and Islamic education forms part of their training curriculum. The skills acquired should enable trainees to secure jobs upon completion of training. However, there are some training institutions that lack systematic training structures resulting in trainees becoming less skilful in both vocational and Islamic education. The objective of this research is to identify the effectiveness of an integrated Culinary and Islamic Education curriculum implemented at JRCs in Malaysia. This is a descriptive survey and data was obtained using questionnaire and interview. Respondents comprised 92 trainees, four managers, four culinary trainers and four Islamic education teachers, all from four different JRCs. The findings show that the trainees are happy with their trainings that brought about positive effects for them. Some suggestions have been made to provide improvements in the implementation of the course among them the inclusion of prayers in the Islamic education syllabus

Audit Firm Governance: An Overview from Malaysia

AbstractThis paper presents a preliminary analysis of survey data in a study to examine the governance of Malaysian audit firms. Data on 30 audit firms including big four and non-big four audit firms is used to describe four dimensions of the audit firm governance, namely, leadership, values and ethical requirement, independent non-executive, and operation. The survey study is still in progress, hence the presentation of the current analysis to highlight the level of awareness and compliance to the global standard of Code of Audit Firm Governance (CAFG) issued by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of United Kingdom. However, descriptive statistics thus far are found to provide useful insights into the governance of Malaysian audit firms. The preliminary analysis suggests that Malaysian audit firms are aware on the issuance of the CAFG, and have been in compliance to the CAFG except for matter in relation to transparency report and designation of independent non-executive directors. The establishment of Audit Oversight Board (AOB) in Malaysia does influence the level of compliance to the CAFG amongst Malaysian audit firms

IN VITRO INOCULATION OF ASPARAGUS OFFICINALIS TISSUE CULTURE SHOOTS WITH FUSARIUM PROLIFERA TUM

ABSTRACT Artificially inoculated asparagus tissue culture plantlets with a virulent fungus,  Fusarium proliferatum showed signs of infection as early as 4 days after inoculation. Macroscopic observations revealed presence of early symptoms such as necrotic lesions at the affected area and light microscopic examinations clearly revealed the post-penetration events that took place including the destruction of surrounding cells. However, little is known of the hyphal activity or advancement on the host's surface at the initial stage after inoculation. Scanning electron microscopic examination clearly revealed the hyphal advancement on the surface and the mode of entrance into the host tissues beneath. Four days after inoculation, the fungi proceeded to spread out from the inoculation point onto the host surface which eventually developed into a sparse network of both aerial and non-aerial hyphae. Non-aerial hyphae form a network of mycelium that adheres to the surface and it's movement appeared to be oriented towards the stomata. Hyphal penetration occurs more often through the stomata, natural openings or wounds. In some cases, the hyphae crossed over the stomatal opening without entering the host tissues. At places where the cuticle layer is absent or not well developed the hyphae successfully grew in between the epidermal cells into the tissues beneath. Key words: Tissue culture/Asparagus officinalis/shoots/Artificial inoculstion/Fusarium proliferatum

The Interpretation Of In Context Verbal Probability Expressions Used In International Accounting Standards: A Comparison Of English And Chinese Students Studying At English Speaking Universities

This study examines the differences in the interpretation of ten in context verbal probability expressions used in accounting standards between native Chinese speaking and native English speaking accounting students in United Kingdom universities. The study assesses the degree of grouping factors consensus on the numerical interpretation of the probability expressions. Unlike previous studies, this study uses subjects who share a common language (English), respond to a survey written in the common language, and are being educated in that common language. The results show that native culture and language are not significant factors in explaining differences between accounting students in their interpretation of in context verbal probability expressions. Future research comparing Chinese students in China with Chinese students at English speaking universities would be useful in evaluating the extent that common language and cultural differences has on the results

Effects of concurrent TeO2 reduction and ZnO addition on elastic and structural properties of (90 − x)TeO2–10Nb2O5–(x)ZnO glass

Niobium-containing tellurite glass with starting composition of (90 − x)TeO2–10Nb2O5–(x)ZnO (x = 0–15 mol%) have been prepared by melt-quenching method and the effect of reduction of TeO2 with simultaneous increase in ZnO on elastic properties was studied. Ultrasonic longitudinal and shear velocity showed initial decrease of 3.52% and 2.37%, respectively, at x = 5 mol%. For x > 5 mol%, longitudinal velocity showed weak recovery but shear velocity showed steady recovery with ZnO and recorded 0.95% increase in value at x = 15 mol% compared to x = 0 sample. Shear and Young's moduli recorded similar drop at x = 5 mol% followed by strong recovery at x > 5 mol%, while longitudinal and Bulk modulus showed weak and no recovery, respectively, with x. Infrared (IR) absorption spectra showed increase in intensity of NbO6-assigned peak accompanied by increase in intensity of ZnO4 tetrahedra and TeO4 trigonal bipyramid (tbp) assigned peaks indicating formation of both non-bridging oxygen, NBO and bridging oxygen, BO, respectively, with addition of ZnO. The initial drop in ultrasonic velocity and related elastic moduli observed at x = 5 mol% indicates weakening of network rigidity of the glass system due to structural modification as a direct effect of TeO2 reduction and existence of NBO. However, further replacement of TeO2 by ZnO at x > 5 mol% contributed to increase in BO causing rigidity of the glass network to improve. In addition, hardness, H, was observed to increase with ZnO indicating increase in connectivity of the glass network while Poisson's ratio, σ, decreased indicating increase in cross-link density of the glass system. The combined results of ultrasonic velocity and IR absorption spectra suggest that the role of TeO2 is very critical in the ternary glass system as, although ZnO addition showed improved rigidity due to recovery of shear modulus, the weakening of longitudinal and Bulk moduli indicates ZnO is not fully effective as glass former in place of TeO2

Application of array processing for mobile communications

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is about a mathematical equation and mathematical operations. It is described by the significations of discrete period, discrete frequency, or supplementary discrete area signals by a order of numbers or signals and the processing of all the signals that related. Digital Signal Processing applications consist of the signal processing for communication. For example is the array processing for the mobile communications. Signal processing is a extensive area of scrutiny that extends from the easiest form of 1-D signal processing to the convoluted form of M-D and array signal processing. This report presents th

Aeration and yeast extract requirements for kojic acid production by Aspergillus flavus link

Growth and kojic acid production by Aspergillus flavus Link 44-1 were studied at different levels of dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) using a 2-l stirred tank fermenter. In all experiments, agitation was fixed at 600 rpm and DOT was controlled at different levels by varying airflow rates. Single-phase DOT control at three different levels (30, 50, and 80% saturation) did not enhance kojic acid production when compared to fermentation without DOT control (13.5 g l-l). The production of kojic acid in a fermentation with single-phase DOT control at 80% was comparable to that of a fermentation without DOT control. Decreased DOT levels below 80% reduced the production of kojic acid significantly although the biomass increased. When DOT was controlled at a very high level (80%) during active growth and then decreased to a low level (30%) during the production phase (i.e., two-phase DOT control), the production of kojic acid (28.9 g l-l) was increased by about two times compared to a fermentation without DOT control; however, when yeast extract was added continuously in a fermentation with two-phase DOT control, active growth occurred during the production phase and the maximum accumulation of kojic acid was reduced significantly. High DOT during on active growth phase and no addition of yeast extract during the production phase were required to enhance kojic acid biosynthesis. The most effective control strategy for kojic acid production, therefore, was to control DOT at very high levels during active growth and not add a nitrogen source during the production phase while using low levels of DOT

Prevalence of needle stick injuries and compliance to infection control guidelines among health care workers in a teaching hospital, Malaysia

Introduction: Health care workers (HCW) are constantly exposed to blood-borne illnesses through needle stick injuries (NSI). Despite the increasing trend of NSI, evidence regarding the actual practice of universal precautions among these HCWs is lacking. This study assessed the practice of universal precautions towards prevention of NSI among HCWs in a teaching hospital setting. Methods: This cross-sectional survey involved a newly-designed self-completed questionnaire assessing demographic data, exposure to NSI and practice of universal precautions. Questionnaires were distributed to every ward and completed questionnaires were collected after a period of 7 days. Results: A total of 215 HCWs responded to the survey. 35.8% were exposed to bodily fluid, with 22.3% had NSI in the last 12 months. Blood taking was the commonest procedure associated with NSI. Of practices of universal precautions, recapping needle and removing needle from syringe were still wrongly practiced by the HCWs assessed. Conclusion: NSI among HCW are still common despite the introduction of universal precautions in our hospital. Incorrect practices in handling sharps should be looked into in order to reduce the incidence of blood-borne illnesses through NSI in the hospital

Natural Resources and Indigenous People’s Livelihood Strategies: A Case Study of Human Communities in the Headwaters of Engkari River, Sri Aman, Sarawak, Malaysia

This paper discusses the livelihood strategies and the environment in which the Iban of Rumah Jaong of the headwaters of Engkari River survives on and the challenges faced by its residents. The livelihood of the small Iban community depends on the natural resources for survival. Rivers serve as the source of food, domestic water supply and means of transportation. Forests, on the other hand, serve as source of food, timber and building materials, and to a lesser extent, as a people’s hunting ground. To many outsiders, life in the headwaters of Engkari River is easily perceived as difficult and very challenging. However, for the local residents of a community living in the interior and remote part of Sarawak, such as in headwaters of Engkari river, life is considered ‘normal’ where the practice of mixed farming consisting of shifting cultivation of hill rice and with small plots of rubber and/or pepper garden seems sufficient to sustain the people’s livelihood, at least for now