The effects of explicit vocabulary instructions on secondary ESL students’ vocabulary learning

This study intends to investigate the effect of explicit vocabulary instructions on students’ vocabulary learning in Perak. A quasi-experimental research design was employed, and the scores of the pre- and post-tests were analysed using independent sample t-test, paired sample t-test and descriptive statistics. The score comparison and total improvement scores in percentage were also presented. The questionnaires in the student’s feedback form were analysed descriptively in terms of their mean scores and standard deviation. The qualitative data from the semi-structured students’ interview was transcribed, categorised and coded by using content analysis. The paired sample t-test results were (t=-17.85, df=29, p<.05) for the experimental group and (t=-4.85, df=29, p<.05) for the control group. Based on the results, the experimental and control groups improved significantly (p=.000*) in the post-test with a mean difference of 15.62. Thus, the use of different techniques of the explicit method is effective in helping learners to acquire target words. A longitudinal study is recommended to observe the effects of the explicit method of vocabulary instructions if longer time is given for the learners to learn the target words. Such work will indicate whether longer learning period results in better vocabulary knowledge or not. This research extends value in the field of vocabulary learning because it can be used to carry out further investigations in improving the students' ability to learn new words. A possible global extension of this study should be conducted to further determine the power of explicit or other novel vocabulary approaches in advancing students’ vocabulary prowess

Variables affecting the recombinant phytase production from Escherichia coli DH5a

Screening for the important variables is part of the optimization study of enzyme production. It is important indetermining the influential variables that give a significant effect on the enzyme production. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine variables that are effecting the recombinant phytase production from Escherichia coli DH5±. Through the application of the Fractional Factorial Design, the variables of seed age, inoculum level, time of induction, L-arabinose concentration and post-induction time were highly significant for the recombinant phytase production as their p-values were less than 0.05.Thus, minimal changes of this factor mat effect recombinant phytase production from E. coli DH5±

Kesan transglutaminase kepada ciri fizikokimia dan aktiviti biologi hidrolisat sarang burung walit

Kajian terdahulu menunjukkan bahawa glikoprotein sarang burung walit boleh dihidrolisis dan dipulihkan sebagai hidrolisat sarang burung walit (SBWh) yang boleh dimakan dalam bentuk serbuk. Kajian ini adalah kerja sambungan daripada kajian terdahulu, yang mana pelbagai kepekatan enzim transglutaminase (TG) telah digunakan dalam pembentukan semula bentuk serbuk SBWh menggunakan acuan dan kesannya terhadap sifat fizikokimia dan bioaktiviti SBWh. Proses hidrolisis enzim menunjukkan bahawa sampel SBWh mempunyai hasil pulih lebih daripada 60% dan menunjukkan warna yang lebih terang daripada SBW mentah. Kelarutan SBWh dengan TG lebih rendah tetapi ia boleh dibentuk semula ke bentuk yang diingini. Corak spektrum FTIR untuk sampel SBWh juga menunjukkan bahawa ketulenan glikopeptida SBW yang tinggi telah diperoleh. Untuk aktiviti antioksidan, produk sampingan SBWh (SBWhcp) menunjukkan aktiviti penyingkiran radikal bebas DPPH yang lebih tinggi. Secara ringkasnya, penambahan TG kepada SBWh telah meningkatkan sifat fizikokimia dan bioaktiviti. Penemuan ini menghasilkan wawasan tentang aplikasi dan pembangunan produk EBN menggunakan EBNh dengan TG yang mempunyai bioaktiviti yang tinggi