Sympodial orchid water stress detection via stem / Mohd Khairi Nordin

The measurements of stems play an important indicator for plants’ water status. Many researches have been done in terrestrial plants to investigate the stems’ variation responses that inspired to develop a precise irrigation system. Hence, the works presented in this thesis were the investigations of the stems’ variations in epiphyte plants which were sympodial orchids using PIC based instrumentation sensors. A strain gauge was used as a sensor to measure the orchid’s stem variation for a duration of 25th October 2012 until 27th November 2012 and from the 3rd December 2012 until 19th December 2012. The other sensors were used for humidity, temperature and light measurement integrated with PIC instrumentation circuit. The Dendrobium orchid that grew from tissue culture was chosen as a sampling plant due to its popularity and demand as a cut flower in the world. Two experiments were executed within 30 days and 16 days respectively, which had involved 14 samples of orchid plants growing indoor and outdoor. The measurements were recorded every 15 minutes continuously along the experiments executed. The 2 mm aluminium strain gauge and it’s signal conditioning that integrated with PIC produced a significant correlation at 0.99 between its output and the changes in displacement. The results showed that the proposed instrumentation was capable to detect the stem’s diameter changes and those studies have had significant impacts for triggering further researches in the developments of precise watering systems in orchid farms

Composting increases BRIS soil health and sustains rice production.

Beach ridges interspersed with swales (BRIS) soil (> 90% of sand) is unsuitable to produce rice due to its poor physical and chemical properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of compost on BRIS soil health in relation to rice production. We measured rice yield, yield parameters, chlorophyll content, relative water content (RWC), and soil pH. The tiller and panicle numbers, filled grains per panicle, rice yield, and straw yields were significantly lower in BRIS soil than in a mixture of compost and BRIS soil. On the other hand, plant heights, 1000 seeds weight, and unfilled grains per panicle were not significantly different. Adding compost to BRIS soil significantly increased chlorophyll content but not the RWC of leaves. The pH of BRIS soil was significantly increased by the application of compost which indicates an increase of BRIS soil health. These results suggest that addition of compost to BRIS soil might improve BRIS soil health and increase rice yield

Design analysis and modelling of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) using CAD

1081-1090In the underwater world, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is created to assist in underwater research. This project presents a design analysis and modelling of AUV using computer aided design (CAD) simulation software, SolidWorks. The scope of this project divided into two parts: (a) AUV design and (b) analysis of battery enclosure stress and strain simulation and flow simulation of 3-blade propeller T100 thrusters. The AUV was designed part by part first and then the assembly of all the parts is carried out. In the simulation stress and fluids were applied on the enclosure box and a thruster, respectively, to observe the reaction of the parts as the frame and pressure hull from Blue ROV design. The result of the stress simulation shows that the enclosure box is very durable and can withstand up to 718.10 Pascal equivalents to 73.2 meter underwater depth. Furthermore, the outcome of flow simulation by using SolidWorks has shown that the maximum velocity of thruster flow is 4.939 m/s, while the acceleration of 5.655 m/s2 of the AUV is calculated by using thrust force and mass of the AUV

Stems' diameter variations to detect sympodial orchids' water stress / Naimah Mat Isa … [et al.]

The measurements of stems' has played an important indicator for plant's water status. Many researches have been carried out in terrestrial plants to investigate the stems' variations of responses that had inspired to develop a precise irrigation system. Hence, the work presented in this thesis investigates the stems' variations in epiphyte plants that are sympodial orchids. A strain gauge was used as a sensor to measure the orchid's stem variation for 48 days at two stages of measurements. The Dendrobium orchid that grew from tissue culture was chosen as a sampling plant due to its popularity as a cut flower in the world's demand. The experiment was done within 30 days involving 10 samples of orchid plants growing indoor and outdoor. The measurements were recorded every 15 minutes continuously along the experiment executed. The 2 mm aluminium strain gauge and it's signal conditions that integrated with PIC produced a correlation at 0.96 between its output and the changes in displacement. The results showed that the stems' diameter variations in Dendrobium orchids could be manipulated for further analysis and it had played a significant role for triggering further researches in the developments of a precise watering system in the orchid farms

Narrative Review: Use of Competent Stimulating Peptide in Gene Transfer Via Suicide Plasmid in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Natural competency for genetic transformation of Streptococcus pneumoniae causes the emergence of novel or non-vaccine preventable pneumococcal serotypes. This phenomenon has become a global concern as it can spread quickly in the population through inhalation and close contact. The colonisation of S. pneumoniae at the upper respiratory tract can either become commensal or pathogenic. Once the bacterium invades into the body system, it will secrete its toxin and virulence protein to facilitate the invasion. Besides, S. pneumoniae can undergo natural biological transformation via uptake of exogenous DNA by horizontal gene transfer for integration and recombination of the genome. S. pneumoniae natural transformation is aided by competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) that induces the competence of bacteria. Natural transformation cascade of S. pneumoniae via CSP is triggered in the presence of conserved 17-amino acids peptide which is regulated and encoded by comC, comD and comE operon, where comC is responsible in secreting precursor CSP. Nowadays, researchers transforming S. pneumoniae by inserting the mutated S. pneumoniae gene through a vector, suicide plasmid. Suicide plasmids such as pID701, pAUL-A and pVA891 can be transferred but cannot replicate in the bacteria. Homologous recombination process occurs once the mutated gene of suicide plasmid is integrated with wild-type S. pneumoniae. Previous studies had used the transformation of suicide plasmid into S. pneumoniae as it can integrate with host DNA at specific insert for gene transfer. But there is no evidence on the role of CSP in horizontal/gene replacement via suicide plasmid in Streptococcus pneumoniae. This narrative review's scope as per defined purpose statement is to relate and recommend the use of competent stimulating peptide in efficient horizontal gene transfer via suicide plasmids in Streptococcus pneumoniae.Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae transformation; CSP-based transformation; Gene transfer via suicide plasmid; Genetic exchange; Competence-stimulating peptid

Syarikat Megaqua Sdn. Bhd. / Muhamad Ismail Omar ... [et al.]

Ikan air tawar merupakan sumber protein yang terpenting di negara ini disamping sumber protein daripada ikan air masin. Rata-rata masyarakat di negara ini mula meminati mahupun menggemari akan ikan air tawar ini memandang mereka seiama ini disogokkan dengan kenikmatan ikan air masin sahaja. Di samping itu juga, pasaran untuk pengeluaran ikan air tawar ini menunjukan perkembangan yang agak memuaskan. Sebagai menyahut seruan kerajaan yakni mengurangkan pergantungan import terutamanya daripada sumber protein ikan, maka telah wujudnya pusat pembenihan serta penternakan ikan air tawar yang diusahakan sepenuhnya oleh Bumiputera yang diberi nama Syarikat Megaqua Sdn.Bhd. Dalam Dasar Pertanian Negara (DPN), akuakultur telah dikenalpasti sebagai industri utama di dalam sektor pertanian. Pada tahun 2010, pengeluran akuakultur dijangka mencapai 350,000 metrik tan dimana sebanyak 115,721 tan metrik datangnya dari perusahaan ikan air tawar. Selebihnya adalah hasil pengeluaran daripada sumber laut dan udang air tawar. Maka dengan ini pengeluaran benih yang mencukupi adalah amat perlu supaya industri ini dapat berkembang sejajar dengan keperluan negara

Natural weathering effects on the mechanical, rheological, and morphological properties of magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) in tropical climate

Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) materials have the potential to be used in a wide range of applications that require long-term service in hostile environments. These widespread applications will result in the emergence of MRE-specific durability issues, where durability refers to performance under in-service environmental conditions. In response, the outdoor tropical climatic environment, combined with the effects of weathering, will be the primary focus of this paper, specifically the photodegradation of the MRE. In this study, MRE made of silicone rubber (SR) and 70 wt% micron-sized carbonyl iron particles (CIP) were prepared and subjected to mechanical and rheological testing to evaluate the effects under natural weathering. Magnetorheological elastomer samples were exposed to the natural weathering conditions of a tropical climate in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for 30 days. To obtain a comprehensive view of MRE degradation during natural weathering, mechanical testing, rheology, and morphological evaluation were all performed. The mechanical and rheological properties test results revealed that after 30 days of exposure and known meteorological parameters, Young's modulus and storage modulus increased, while elongation at break decreased. The degradation processes of MRE during weathering, which are responsible for their undesirable change, were given special attention. With the help of morphological evidence, the relationship between these phenomena and the viscoelastic properties of MRE was comprehensively defined and discussed.UTM Fundamental Research [22H14]; Professional Development Research University (PDRU) [06E29]; Universitas Sebelas Maret through hibah non APBN 2022 LPPM; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic [RP/CPS/2022/007]06E29; Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMT; Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM: 22H14; Universitas Sebelas Maret, UNS; Lembaga Penelitian dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, LPPM: RP/CPS/2022/00

Depression, anxiety, and stress related to online distance learning (ODL) does not influence academic performance : findings from an online survey among undergraduates in Malaysia

While there has been widespread reporting of a negative impact on students' mental health and academic performance because of ineffective online learning systems during COVID, Malaysian data remained scarce. In this online survey, the correlation between online distance learning (ODL), mental health status and academic performance of Malaysian undergraduates during COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Academic performance was measured using self-reported questionnaires in which respondents were also asked to state their cumulative grade points average (CGPA). Reduction in CGPA was considered as a decline in academic performance. Data on ODL readiness and satisfaction as well as mental health status were obtained. Among 256 respondents of this study with mean age (SD) 22.10 (1.05), a total of 27.3% reported to have decline in CGPA during Covid-19 pandemic. Female undergraduates were more likely to perform better as more had maintained or improved their academic performance. Self-directed learning, learning control, learning motivation, and satisfactionwere significantly associated with academic performance (p<0.05) but not computer-internet self-efficacy and online communication self-efficacy. There were also significant negative correlations between ODL and Mental Health Status. However, mental health status does not appear to be significantly associated with decline in academic performance. Our study findings suggest that ODL preference and satisfaction have an impact on the academic performance. While, mental health status related to ODL was not associated with academic performance. Students getting used to the shift into remote learning over time may explain why mental health status had no effect on their academic performance. Future studies should focus on the know how to deliver effective ODL techniques to improve undergraduates’ satisfaction with the hope to further improve their academic performance

An investigation on perceived relationship between motivation and interaction of second language’s learners

This study attempts to investigate the correlation between two types of motivation; these are intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and interaction among Universiti Teknologi Malaysia students participating in the Friends of English (FoE) program. 65 participants of the Foe program participated in this research. The descriptive study was carried out in form of survey by using questionnaires with some questions adapted from Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI): The Post-Experimental Intrinsic Motivation Inventory by Ryan (1982). The data gained through the survey were processed using SPSS software and results were interpreted based on the Guilford benchmark table. The results are presented in form of graphs and tables. The finding from this survey had revealed that there are significant relations between motivation and interaction. The strong relation between intrinsic motivation and interaction shows that students value FoE and find the program useful. The strong relation between extrinsic motivation and interaction shows that students value FoE and find the program useful. However, between the two types of motivation, extrinsic motivation shows higher relation suggesting that extrinsic motivation has stronger impact towards interaction than intrinsic motivation. However, there are several other things also affecting the findings. As for that, several recommendations to improve the students’ interaction using English have been made

EZ430-chronos watch as a wireless health monitoring device

The paper describes a wireless health monitoring system, developed in LabVIEW, which is able to transmit and receive a patient's body signal wirelessly to an eZ430- Chronossport watch.Patient's vital body signal such as heart rate and percentage of oxygen saturation will be wirelessly transmitted to a programmable eZ430-Chronos watch to ease patient monitoring. The watch, used as a monitoring device will be worn by the doctor or any other individuals who is responsible in monitoring a patient's condition (i.e.nurse or any of the patient's family members). The system enables the user to be alerted immediately should any abnormalities occur to a monitored patient and he/she can be attended instantly. This would improve patient monitoring system remotely within the wireless protocol given