Development of an automated irrigation system for horticultural nurseries

Horticulture is becoming an important sector in the agricultural industry. Due to increasing demand for planting materials, horticultural nurseries are being established in many parts of the country. Irrigation is one of the most important operations for any nursery to produce salable plants. With increasing cost of labour and less attractive working environment in the agricultural sector, automation of irrigation and other agricultural practices, is a necessity in order for the horticultural industry to survive. An automated micro-irrigation system is being developed and evaluated at UPM. An imported 6-station controller, solenoid valves, and micro-sprayers were installed to irrigate fruit seedlings grown in ceramic pots. Initial work is on determining plant water requirements for scheduling the system operation. For nurseries with enough pressure from the main, use of battery-operated valves are recommended

THE IMPACT OF UNANTICIPATED POLITICAL EVENTS ON STOCKS MARKET RETURNS: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract:This study aims to identify the effect of unexpected political-events on Saudi stock market returns based on the efficient market hypothesis (EMH) assumptions.  The disappearance of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey is the political event has been determined in this study.  The data collected from ten companies traded in the Saudi stock market which accounted for more than 62 percent of the total market capitalization. However, this paper applied the Event Study Methodology. The results showed that the Saudi stock market initially reacted to the event and tried to absorb the information received but could not correct itself in most of the window event period. It seems that the market did not get the relevant news quickly or clearly. So, the information that flow among traders was not readily available for the investors at the same level and time. Ultimately, the Saudi stock market is described as a weak-form market (inefficient).Keywords: Unanticipated political events, the stock market, expected returns, abnormal returns, cumulative returns, event study methodologyAbstract: This study aims to identify the effect of unexpected political-events on Saudi stock market returns based on the efficient market hypothesis (EMH) assumptions.  The disappearance of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey is the political event has been determined in this study.  The data collected from ten companies traded in the Saudi stock market which accounted for more than 62 percent of the total market capitalization. However, this paper applied the Event Study Methodology. The results showed that the Saudi stock market initially reacted to the event and tried to absorb the information received but could not correct itself in most of the window event period. It seems that the market did not get the relevant news quickly or clearly. So, the information that flow among traders was not readily available for the investors at the same level and time. Ultimately, the Saudi stock market is described as a weak-form market (inefficient).Keywords: Unanticipated political events, the stock market, expected returns, abnormal returns, cumulative returns, event study methodology

The Concept of National Identity in the Artwork of Female Artists in Malaysia

This study examines the national identity elements of the Fatimah Chik and Khatijah Sanusi artworks, which begins with the examination of relevant material, including examples of national identity-related works and visual data on the results of Malaysian female artists obtained through digital photographs and records. Identifying and recognising national identity in Malaysian female artists' works is categorised by the artwork's profile. The artwork's focus and criteria will be mapped with the inquiry of the National Cultural Congress's study (NCC). Women's attitudes in art production reflect national identity in female artists' artworks that emphasise culture, family, and accuracy. Keywords: Artworks, Female artist,  National identity, Malaysia eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. 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 the 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.v7iSI8.391

Ionic Liquids for Desulphurization: A Review

The literature survey has shown that not much work has been reported on the interaction mechanism of ionic liquids (ILs) with sulfur in model oil system. In recently published work, the interaction was predicted using COSMO-RS where the strength of hydrogen bond of anion should be reduced in order to increase thiophene extraction capacity. On the other hand, the same researchers also found that the smaller sized cations would lead to higher selectivity, which could lower the capacity and vice versa. While others have reported that the absorption capacity of sulfur compounds in ILs are strongly dependent on the chemical structures, physical properties and compactness between the cation and the anion of the ILs. However, these conclusions lead to a broad selection of ILs for extractive desulphurization process

Faktor Pembentukan Kejeleketan dalam Pengendalian Sesi Kaunseling Kelompok

Kaunseling kelompok merupakan satu bentuk perhubungan menolong yang memerlukan interaksi antara ahli kelompok. Terdapat elemen yang perlu dipupuk dalam kalangan ahli kelompok bagi memastikan matlamat yang ditetapkan boleh dicapai. Kejeleketan adalah merupakan pencapaian kesepaduan yang erat dalam kalangan individu yang seterusnya dapat menghasilkan nilai kekitaan. Pembentukan perasaan ini sesama ahli kelompok adalah satu keperluan penting dalam memastikan pelaksanaan kaunseling kelompok berkesan. Oleh itu, kajian ini adalah bertujuan untuk mengkaji faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi pembentukan kejeleketan dalam sesi kaunseling kelompok. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah kajian kualitatif menerusi analisis kandungan terhadap jurnal-jurnal berindeks tinggi seperti Scopus, Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) dan Science Direct. Analisis yang telah dijalankan menjelaskan antara faktor penyumbang kepada terbentuknya kejeleketan dalam sesi kaunseling kelompok adalah interaksi, penerimaan ahli, kebersamaan, saiz kelompok, perkongsian rasa, konflik dan sikap. Justeru, faktor-faktor ini perlu diberi perhatian secara jitu oleh kaunselor dalam mengendalikan sesi kaunseling kelompok dengan berkesan

Validity of Cognitive Behaviour Play Therapy Module (DBPT Module)

Decision making and resilience are the most important element in addressing social and emotional issues among gifted and talented students (GTS). Therefore, Cognitive Behavior Play Therapy Module (CBPT Module) is conceived as an intervention to improve the decision-making skills and resilience among GTS. The purpose of this research is to assess the content validity of this module. The content validity of CBPT Module analyzed by five experts in the field of module construction, gifted students and play therapy. The findings indicated that the coefficient value of the content validity was .92 and based on the sub module and activities was .909.  The research proves that CBPT Module has a high content validity hence it is suitable to apply for the GTS that encloses an inadequate and mediate decision-making skills and resilience level

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from pet animals and pet and non-pet owners

This study was done to determine the occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among cats and dogs, the pet owners and in persons who did not keep pets and to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates. MRSA was isolated from 7 (11.7%),18 (30%) and 8 (13.3%) of the 60 samples each collected from 30 cats and dogs, 30 pet owners and 30 persons who did not keep pets respectively. Twenty percent (6/30) of the cats and dogs, 30% (9/30) of pet owners and 20% (8/30) of persons who did not keep pets were positive for MRSA. The S. aureus isolates showed resistance to four other antibiotics, namely ampicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline and streptomycin; all isolates were sensitive to gentamicin. The zoonotic and anthroponotic potentials of MRSA in animals were reviewed

Occurrence of Helicobacter in cats

The presence of Helicobacter spp. in the stomach of cats has been reported worldwide but the documentation on the occurrence of these organisms in cats in Malaysia is lacking. This preliminary study aimed to determine the occurrence of helicobacters in cats in the country. Helicobacter-like organisms were detected by rapid urease testing and Gram staining in gastric biopsy samples in 80% (24 of 30) and 20% (6 of 30) of samples, respectively. Culture was positive for one cat (3.3%) and identified as Helicobacter sp. Further study is needed to determine the infections in these pet animal

Genetic variability of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis isolates from humans, chickens and pigs in Malaysia

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have been reported to be present in humans, chickens, and pigs in Malaysia. In the present study, representative samples of VRE isolated from these populations were examined for similarities and differences by using the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method. Housekeeping genes of Enterococcus faecium (n = 14) and Enterococcus faecalis (n = 11) isolates were sequenced and analyzed using the MLST databases eBURST and goeBURST. We found five sequence types (STs) of E. faecium and six STs of E. faecalis existing in Malaysia. Enterococcus faecium isolates belonging to ST203, ST17, ST55, ST79, and ST29 were identified, and E. faecium ST203 was the most common among humans. The MLST profiles of E. faecium from humans in this study were similar to the globally reported nosocomial-related strain lineage belonging to clonal complex 17 (CC17). Isolates from chickens and pigs have few similarities to those from humans, except for one isolate from a chicken, which was identified as ST203. E. faecalis isolates were more diverse and were identified as ST4, ST6, ST87, ST108, ST274, and ST244, which were grouped as specific to the three hosts. E. faecalis, belonging to the high-risk CC2 and CC87, were detected among isolates from humans. In conclusion, even though one isolate from a chicken was found clonal to that of humans, the MLST analysis of E. faecium and E. faecalis supports the findings of others who suggest VRE to be predominantly host specific and that clinically important strains are found mainly among humans. The infrequent detection of a human VRE clone in a chicken may in fact suggest a reverse transmission of VRE from humans to animals