Tobacco-Free Policy Support among Students in University Campuses

The purpose of this study was to determine support for various tobacco-free policies among students in public universities. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 406 students from three main campuses of a university in July 2018. Three hundred ninety-two students responded from three campuses in Selangor. There was a significant association between knowledge of secondhand smoke (SHS) and the types of tobacco-free policies.  Students who perceived knowing the dangers of SHS also supported smoke-free cars and campus policy. In conclusion, knowledge of secondhand smoke, third-hand smoke, and tobacco-free policies should be enhanced. Keywords:  Tobacco-free campus, Second-hand smoker, students. eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer-review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i14.224

PENGARUH PUPUK KANDANG TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN BEBERAPA VARIETAS BIBIT TANAMAN TEBU (Saccharum officinarum L.) DI POLYBAG

Manure on the Growth Effect of several varieties of seeds of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in polybag. This research aims to study the Influence Manure on Growth of some varieties of seed sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in Polybag. This research has been conducted in the field experiment station C campus of University of Muhammadiyah Palembang, Hamlet 1,Semambu Island Village , North Indralaya districts Ogan Ilir regency, South Sumatra from April 2016 to July , 2016. This study uses a randomized block design (RAK) Factorial with 9 combination treatment and repeated 3 to 4 plants sample replicates . The treatment factors are as follows : (1) Manure (K) are: K1 Manure Chicken Manure , K2 Manure goat manure , K3 Manure Cow Manure, and (2) Varieties Sugarcane (V) ,namely : V1 Varieties Kidang chariot (KK),V2 Varieties PS 881 K2 , V3 PCSO 902 Varieties. The parameters observed in this study is Time bud (HST) , plant height cm , Number of tillers, Leaf Number (Overlay), Long Roots cm, Total Root. Based on the results of analysis of variance showed that the treatment of manure Cow Manure 20 tons / ha significantly affect the number of leaves and no real effect on all the observed variables. Treatment of PCSO 902 varieties manifest until very real effect on plant height, number of leaves, number of tillers and root length, but the effect was not significant to time out shoots and roots number

LCMS/MS metabolite profiling and analysis of acute toxicity effect of the ethanolic extract of Centella asiatica on zebrafish model

Centella asiatica or known as 'pegaga' in Malaysia, is a popular medicinal herb, which is being used as main ingredient or incorporated into various herbal products. Apart from efficacy, the chemical profile and potential toxic effect of the plant are two important aspects of concern towards ensuring product satisfaction and safety of consumers. This paper reports the qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis of the leaf ethanolic extract of C. asiatica using LCMS/MS. The acute toxiciy effect of the extract and selected marker chemical constituents were further analysed using a zebrafish model. Twenty constituents, were identified and the main chemical marker constituents of the plant viz asiaticoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid were further quantified. Asiaticoside was found to be present in higher concentration than the other marker constituents. Meanwhile in the acute toxicity test, the LD50 of the extract on the zebrafish model was determined to be 1250 mg/L while 100% mortality was observed at the highest test concentration of 2500 mg/L. However, acute toxicity evaluation on four marker triterpenoids of the herb, i.e asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside and madecassoside, indicated them to be quite safe on the zebrafish model, with no mortality shown for test concentrations between 10 to 500 mg/kg BW

Microwave torrefaction of sawdust as biomass energy source

Sawdust is one of the wood wastes produced by the timber industry. Sawdust has excellent potential as an energy source. However, sawdust needs to undergo some improvements by the torrefaction process as it contains higher moisture content and volatile matter. Torrefaction is a thermal method that can enhance sawdust properties as it operates at low temperatures within 200300°C with the presence of nitrogen gas. Microwave torrefaction is introduced to shorten residence time due to fast heating rather than conventional heating. This study focused on microwave torrefaction of sawdust to be used as an energy source by improving the sawdust's chemical compositions and energy potential. The experiment was conducted at different residence times (5, 10, 20 and 30 minutes) and nitrogen gas flowrate (30, 60 and 90 mL/min) for 20 minutes at 1000W microwave power. The colour of torrefied sawdust was observed, and the result showed it turned from light brown to slightly black because of the higher carbon content inside it as the removal of volatile matter during the process. The HHV values were measured by bomb calorimeter, and proximate analysis was determined using TGA. The result showed the improvement in torrefied sawdust that it becomes low in moisture content, higher carbon content and heating value due to the degradation of the structural components, mainly hemicellulose inside the sawdust that releases the volatile matter as the temperature increases. Overall, the microwave torrefaction process reduced the moisture content to 28%, increased HHV to 50%, and increased carbon to 60%, making sawdust a good energy sourc

Structural characterization and evaluation of prebiotic activity of oil palm kernel cake mannanoligosaccharides

In this study, mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) were isolated from palm kernel cake by aqueous extraction using high temperature and pressure. Structural characterization of MOS was carried out using acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, ESI-MS/MS and 1D/2D NMR. The prebiotic activity of MOS was evaluated in vitro using two probiotic Lactobacillus strains. Sugar analysis indicated the presence of mannose in each of the oligomers. Methylation and 1D/2D NMR analysis indicated that the MOS have a linear structure consisting of (1→4)-β-d-mannopyranosyl residues. ESI-MS/MS results showed that the isolated mannan oligomers, MOS-III, MOS-IV, MOS-V and MOS-VI consist of tetra–, penta–, hexa–, and hepta–saccharides with molecular weights of 689, 851, 1013 and 1151 Da, respectively. Based on the in vitro growth study, MOS-III and MOS-IV was found to be effective in selectively promoting the growth of Lactobacillus reuteri C1 strain as evidenced by the optical density of the culture broth

The Feasibility Study of Physicochemical Properties of Sarawak Liberica sp. Coffee Pulp

Liberica coffee is a minor species that is planted all around the world. Therefore, there is little study conducted on this coffee species as only one percent is cultivated all around the world. In Malaysia, there is still no research focusing on coffee pulp from Sarawak liberica sp.and thus leading to this study. The wastes and by-product such as coffee pulps will become the residues as they were not needed in processing the coffee. This will create environmental pollution. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the feasibility study on the physicochemical properties of coffee pulp from Sarawak liberica sp.including determination by colorimetric assays for phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and reducing sugar analysis. The antibacterial activities of coffee pulp were evaluated against Gram-positive, Staphylococcus aureus, and Gram-negative Salmonella typhimurium using a disc diffusion method. As a result, Sarawak liberica sp.coffee pulp extract contained total phenolic content of 24.24 mg GAE/g of coffee pulp, a total flavonoid content of 39.39 mg QE/g of coffee pulp, DPPH scavenging activity of 92.24 ± 0.03%, reducing sugar analysis of 13.13 mg GE/g of coffee pulp, and there was no significant effect of antibacterial activities. Therefore, the physicochemical study determination in this study would add values toward Sarawak liberica sp. coffee pulp by-product and thus reducing the disposal of Liberica coffee wastes in the future

Mathematical modelling of tuberculosis transmission and impact of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy in Malaysia / Nurhuda Ismail

Tuberculosis remains one of the highest unresolved disease burden among re-emerging diseases in Malaysia for the last thirty years. The current treatment protocol guideline emphasizes treatment for only infectious tuberculosis patients. This study aimed to investigate tuberculosis transmission dynamics exclusive to the Malaysian environment and characteristics. This study applied the infectious disease modelling techniques to study the progression of latent tuberculosis infection and assess the likely impact of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy for latent tuberculosis high risk subpopulations in reducing tuberculosis incidence in Malaysia. Methods: This study explored the epidemiology of tuberculosis in Malaysia to develop a deterministic compartmental age-structured tuberculosis model which incorporated treatment for infectious as well as early preventive therapy for latent. The model assumed latently infected individuals develop infectious state of tuberculosis as a result of primary infection, endogenous reactivation and exogenous reinfection. This study assessed the likely impact of interventions in Malaysia by formulating and analysing the model under various scenarios. These included no intervention strategy then, extended to incorporate the Isoniazid Preventive Therapy only, treatment of infectious tuberculosis only and combination treatment of infectious tuberculosis and Isoniazid Preventive Therapy. The equilibrium of the model was determined, and stabilities were analysed. The model fitting and validation were performed. The national tuberculosis incidence was estimated and projected from 1990 till 2050. The effective reproduction numbers for the model were compared to assess the possible population benefits achieved by no intervention, treatment of infectious tuberculosis only, Isoniazid Preventive Therapy only and a combination treatment of infectious tuberculosis and Isoniazid Preventive Therapy for the latents. The model further determined the effectiveness of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy for early latent tuberculosis infection and quantified coverage of the iv strategy to eliminate tuberculosis, when used in conjunction with treatment of infectious tuberculosis. The model then compared the selection of early latent tuberculosis infection versus late latent tuberculosis infection to effectively reduce the incidence of tuberculosis in Malaysia. Results: A transmission dynamic mathematical model of tuberculosis exclusive to Malaysian environment and characteristics was developed. The model projected a higher and increasing trend of national tuberculosis incidence till year 2030 at annual increment rates from 1% to 5.5%. Application of this model showed that combination treatment strategy of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy for early high risk latent tuberculosis sub-populations with current treatment for infectious tuberculosis is the most effective strategy for controlling tuberculosis epidemic in Malaysia. However, a minimal ten percent coverage of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy in population is required for effective reduction following eight to ten years of successful implementation with expected cumulative incidence reduction of 27.21% by 2050. Conclusion: Isoniazid Preventive Therapy may have substantial effect on controlling tuberculosis epidemic in Malaysia when used in conjunction with current treatment regime for infectious tuberculosis. However, a minimal ten percent coverage among the early latent tuberculosis infection sub-populations must be ensured to achieve effective reduction in incidence. This can be achieved by expansion of coverage to other high risk latent tuberculosis sub-populations such as healthcare workers, close contacts and in institutionalized settings, with comprehensive protocol and surveillanc

Satu tinjauan terhadap tahap pengetahuan guru teknikal dalam pembinaan item objektif di tiga buah Sekolah Menengah Teknik

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk meninjau sejauh manakah tahap pengetahuan guruguru dalam aspek pembinaan item objektif. Responden adalah terdiri daripada guruguru yang mengajar subjek kejuruteraan atau lebih dikenali sebagai guru-guru teknikal di tiga buah sekolah menengah teknik. Secara amnya, kajian ini mengenalpasti sama ada guru-guru memerlukan garis panduan pembinaan item objektif sebagai panduan atau rujukan mereka. Soal selidik yang menggunakan Skala Likert digunakan bagi mendapatkan data tentang tahap pengetahuan guru dalam aspek pembinaan item objektif dan seterusnya menjawab persoalan kajian ini. Seterusnya, data dari soal selidik yang dijalankan dianalisis dengan menggunakan perisian SPSS 11.0 (Statistical Package For The Social Science). Hasil analisis kajian menunjukkan bahawa responden memberi reaksi yang positif dengan tahap pengetahuan yang sederhana. Namun begitu jika dilihat pada jawapan dalam soal selidik yang diedarkan, pengetahuan mereka masih banyak lagi yang perlu ditambah. Justeru itu, garis panduan yang dibina oleh pengkaji adalah merupakan salah satu langkah untuk mengatasi masalah ini. Garis Panduan Membina Item Objektif yang disarankan ini adalah dibina berdasarkan format yang disediakan oleh pihak Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia. Ia merangkumi prosedur, penerangan, langkah-langkah dan defmisi istilah-istilah yang tertentu yang perlu diberi perhatian apabila soalan peperiksaan objektif hendak dibina. Diharapkan garis panduan ini dapat membantu pengguna yang memerlukannya apabila hendak membuat item objektif

Educational software for stress analysis of thin-walled sections 2: Composite material

An educational software which can aid students in stress analysis of thin-walled open sections made of composite material has been developed. The software enables students to select different cross-sections which may be subjected to bending, shear or torsional loads and evaluate the stresses on it. Results obtained through this software have been validated against literature. The software has been developed using Visual Basic 6 with graphical user interface (GUI). The software is expected to be a useful tool for effective teaching learning process of courses on thin-walled structures, aircraft structures and composite structures