Morphological and allozyme studies of small terrestrial snails( Opeas sp., Subulina sp., and Huttonella bicolor) collected from Peninsular Malaysia

Shell morphological characters and allozyme electrophoresis were used to study the relationships among six geographical populations of land snails collected from Peninsular Malaysia. Allozyme electrophoresis was used to study the genetic variations to complement the morphological features studied that included shell lengths, numbers of whorls and shell colour. Ten loci coding for six enzymes (MDH, LAP, ALP, PGM, G6PDH, and EST) could be reliably scored in samples from the six populations studied. The dendrogram showed two major clusters with one cluster comprising Subulinidae populations from Perak, Selangor, Johor, Terengganu, and Pahang while the other cluster included only the Streptaxidae Huttonella bicolor (red) population. The Subulinidae populations were grouped into two subclusters: one subcluster included the Subulina sp. populations from Perak, Selangor, and Johor, while the other subcluster included the Opeas sp. populations from Terengganu and Pahang. Morphological features can identify the different families ant therefore they can complement the allozyme genetic studies on the land snail populations. Like other reports in the literature, our results also underline the importance of a genetic approach in conjunction with a morphological approach, for discriminating land snail species. The present results suggest that small land snails, which were similar in colour but different in sizes, were not of the same family/genus

Appreciating green radio communication network systems in a problem-oriented project-based learning environment. A theoretical framework

The aim of this article was to present a POPBL theoretical framework for the teaching, learning and research in Green Radio Communication Network Systems. To this effect, a content analysis and synthesis of related scientific literature, models and frameworks was carried out based on the research tittle and key words. The article analyses and syntheses centred on the importance of green radio communication, principal factors in green communication as well as the process components. Also in the content analysis and synthesis are the POPBL elements, processes and related theories with the resulting instructional benefits. The resulting framework has the potentials of developing the generic skills like problem solving, team work, creativity, critical thinking and continues learning which have the potentials of achieving the goals of GRCNS

Effects of Honey-Spices Marination on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Heterocyclic Amines Formation in Gas-Grilled Beef Satay

The effects of honey-spices marination on simultaneous formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs) in gas-grilled beef satay were investigated at different grilling temperatures (150 °C, 250 °C, and 350 °C). Beef satay samples used in this study were prepared using two types of honey-spices marination (Apis mellifera-spices and Trigona sp.-spices). Quantifications of fifteen PAHs using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) and nine HCAs using liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) were performed with gradient programme. Results on PAHs and HCAs in marinated samples were compared with control. Highest concentrations (p < 0.05) of PAHs (marinated beef satay) and HCAs (control) were detected at 350 °C. The most prominent PAH and HCA were phenanthrene (24.61–84.36 ng/g) and 9H-pyrido-[4,3-b]indole (Norharman) (2.67–393.89 ng/g). Marination significantly (p < 0.05) reduced naphthalene, fluorene, pyrene, 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC), 1-methyl-9H-pyrido-[4,3-b]indole (Harman), and Norharman in gas-grilled beef satay across all temperatures. Overall, inverse quantitative profiles of PAHs and HCAs formation were observed in marinated gas-grilled beef satay

Woven Kenaf/Kevlar Hybrid Yarn as potential fiber reinforced for anti-ballistic composite material

Woven Kenaf/Kevlar Hybrid Yarn is the combination of natural and synthetic fibers in the form of thread or yarn. The yarn is weaved to form a fabric type of fiber reinforced material. Then, the fabric is fabricated with epoxy as the resin to form a hybrid composite. For composite fabrication, woven fabric Kenaf/Kevlar hybrid yarn composite was prepared with vacuum bagging hand lay-up method. Woven fabric Kenaf/Kevlar hybrid yarn composite was fabricated with total fiber content of 40 % and 60 % of Epoxy as the matrix. The fiber ratios of Kenaf/Kevlar hybrid yarn were varied in weight fraction of 30/70, 50/50 and 70/30 respectively. The composites of woven fabric Kenaf/Epoxy and woven fabric Kevlar/Epoxy were also fabricated for comparison. The mechanical properties of five (5) samples composites were tested accordingly. Result has shown that of value of strength and modulus woven fabric Kenaf/Kevlar Hybrid Yarn composite was increased when the Kevlar fiber content increased. Therefore, among the hybrid composite samples result showed the woven fabric Kenaf/Kevlar Hybrid Yarn composites with the composition of 30/70 ratio has exhibited the highest energy absorption with 148.8 J which 28 % lower than Kevlar 100 % sample. The finding indicated there is a potential combination of natural fiber with synthetic fiber that can be fabricated as the composite material for the application of high performance product

Engineering and related programs teaching methods in Nigeria

The failure of engineering education in Nigeria has been blamed on many factors from various research findings. To have an in-depth view of some of the problems, this study reviewed research findings on the methods of teaching engineering and related programs in Nigerians institutions of learning. The study reviewed articles and theses on teaching methods in Nigeria, skills need of the 21st century and the 4th industrial revolution, and how the existing teaching methods impart the needed skills. The review showed that: the most popular teaching methods of teaching engineering and related programs in Nigeria are lecture method, laboratory experiment, field trip and final year practical project; the skills that the 21st century industry and 4IR demand are critical thinking, innovation and creativity, problem solving, teamwork, life-long learning, and communication skills; the teaching methods employed in Nigeria are not able to impart the needed skills. The researchers, therefore recommended innovative, students centered learning like problem based learning, project based learning, inquiry based learning and well as effective utilization of instructional resources like multimedia, simulations and virtual laboratory for the teaching and learning of engineering, science and technology programs

Leadership practices of high performing schools principals in Malaysia

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has set up guidelines to ensure that leaders are appointed from among those who are knowledgeable, skillful and competent but many related studies have found that some of the principals in Malaysia do not fulfil the criteria. On the contrary, there are High Performing School (HPS) with exceptional principals who have proven their leadership by sustaining their performance over several years. Thus, characteristics and practices of these HPS principals should be investigated and be used as a guide by other principals to attain success for their own schools. This study aimed to identify the model of leadership practices of HPS principals. This study used a qualitative methodology with a case study design. The key subjects were three principals of three selected HPS in Malaysia. There were also three groups of HPS informants comprising a senior assistant, teacher, school staff, student and chairman of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) from each school. Data were collected through interviews, observations and analysis of relevant documents and reports and analyzed through several stages of coding, categorizing, cross-case analysis and interpretation using N-VIVO10. The findings of the study revealed that the HPS principals practised Transformational Leadership by using strategies such as setting the direction, developing people, redesigning organization, managing instructional process or programme and high performing management. Based on the findings of the study, a model of HPS principal leadership practices for Malaysian schools has been developed and can be used as a guide to assist school principals who aim to achieve HPS status

Determination of resource curse hypothesis in mediation of financial development and clean energy sources: go-for-green resource policies

The study examined the role of energy demand, natural resources, and financial development indicators on carbon (CO2) emissions, emissions from fossil fuel (FFUEL) combustion, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the context of Saudi Arabia for the period of 1975–2018. The results show that electric power consumption increases CO2 emissions and GHG emissions while industry value added increases FFUEL combustion in a country. The study confirmed the U-shaped relationship between per capita income (GDPpc) and FFUEL combustion, whereas there is a monotonic increasing relationship between GDPpc and CO2 emissions in a given time period. There is a positive relationship between domestic credit to private sector (DCPS) and CO2 emissions & GHG emissions, which shows a negative impact on environmental degradation. The study verified the ‘pollution haven hypothesis’ in terms of increasing CO2 emissions and GHG emissions due to account of trade liberalization policies, while the ‘resource curse hypothesis’ is confirmed in relation of ores and metal (ORM) exports and FFUEL combustion. The following positive factors that will contribute in the Saudi vision 2030, i.e., oil rents, FDI inflows, energy prices, and trade openness will exert a positive variance shocks in terms of reduction in CO2 emissions, while electric power consumption, oil rents, and energy prices will substantially decreases FFUEL combustion over a time horizon. Finally, ORM exports, industrial value added, insurance and financial services, energy prices, trade openness, and merchandizing imports will decline GHG emissions over a next 10 years time period

Multiple intelligence focusing on practical subjects among final year students of school of education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

This study was conducted to identify the significant differences between female students and male students who took the workshop’s practical subjects. Therefore, three objectives of the study are to identify the multiple intelligences among students, the dominant of multiple intelligence in the workshop’s practical subjects and to identify the significant differences between multiple intelligences and the gender of the 4th year student from School of Education, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in the subject practical workshop. The design of this study is a descriptive study using quantitative data. In this study, the population identified consists of 204 4th year students of the School of Education, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities who attended the Bachelor of Technology with Education in Mechanical Engineering (SPPJ), Buildings (SPPQ), Electrical and Electronic (SPPR) and Living Skills (SPPH). A total of 180 samples were identified based on sampling formula and the instrument used was a set of questionnaire with reliability value of α = 0.86 which contained 48 items in part B based on multiple intelligence and respondent demographic in part A. The study data was processed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS version 25 to get the results of the study in the form of descriptive analysis like percentage, frequency, mean score and standard deviation while inference analysis with independent Ttest to find mean difference between gender. The findings show that each student has more than one intelligence for each respondent and the intelligence of Naturalist, Intrapersonal, Verbal Linguistics and Kinestatic Body is the dominant intelligence of the students. In addition, the findings showed that there was no significant difference between the multiple intelligences and the gender of the students

Final year students' perception on generic skills upon graduating

Soft skills become an important element in national education to achieve global status. This study was conducted to examine the perception of 4th Year School of Education students of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia on soft skills. This study was conducted on 4th year students, Department of Technical Education and Engineering School of Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai. A total of 180 students were selected based on random stratified sampling method as respondents in this study. Questionnaire is used as the research instrument. Data collected were analyzed by using SPSS version 25.0, to get the mean value, frequency, percentage and standard deviation in descriptive form. Overall, the results of this study found that the perception of 4th year students of UTM School of Education on soft skills was high. The findings also found that the most dominant element of soft skills dominated by students was communication skills and teamwork skills. Both of these skills are the dominant elements that can be mastered because share the same mean value of 4.37. However, there are some aspects that are seen as weaknesses of students such as the mastery of entrepreneurship skills. Hence, institutions and students need to take note to ensure that quality graduates are born from the aspect of soft skills