Path Optimization and Object Localization Using Hybrid Particle Swarm and Ant Colony Optimization for Mobile RFID Reader

This paper proposes a hybrid approach of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) for the mobile Radio Frequency Identification System (RFID) reader to get the shortest path for object localization. In this approach, we have adopted the ACO global pheromone updating information of ants to guide the update velocities and position for PSO based on nearest neighbor constraints. The pheromone information is used efficiently to guide the selection of each particle in a search space of its visits. The best path will be used for mobile RFID reader for objects localization in search space. Simulation results show that the method is effective, minimizing the number of visited nodes for a mobile RFID reader

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPS) analysis of Mu-opioid receptors (OPRM1) using denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) among the intravenous drug users

Objectives: The genetic polymorphisms of OPRM1 among the intravenous drug users (IVDUs) and healthy controls were investigated and the risk of addiction in relation to OPRM1 was predicted. Methods: PCR-denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) method was developed to investigate SNPs in the coding regions of OPRM1 in 93 IVDUs and 100 healthy controls. Subjects were confirmed to be drug addicts and their personality was studied using validated Tridimensional Personality Questionnaires (TPQ). Results: Based on the results obtained, seven SNPs were detected; two of them were previously associated with addiction. Homozygous OPRM1:c.118GG and heterozygous OPRM1:c.118AG variants were found to have higher frequencies among the IVDUs and healthy controls. In addition, carriers of OPRM1:c.118G allele scored higher for novelty seeking (NS) and harm avoidance (HA) with more explorative, neurotic and uninhibited personalities. We identified a new variant of OPRM1:c.77C>G which is located at the N-terminus of the G-coupled protein receptor and possibly decreases the binding affinity of its ligands among the IVDUs. Conclusion: In conclusion, DHPLC allows the detection of new and existing variants of OPRM1. Genotyping of OPRM1:c.118A>G and assessment of personalities using TPQ provide valuable tools for determination of addiction risk

Blue Ocean Leadership (BOL) practices towards promoting employee engagement in public service

Malaysia has bold intention to be an advanced nation in 2020. Here, public service holds the key as they are the primary facilitator in achieving this noble dream. It required fully engaged public service workforce as achieving Vision 2020 is an ardours task. Getting employees’ engagement is within reach with the introduction of Blue Ocean Leadership that provides a totally new approach as employees views are taken into consideration in developing new leadership profile. What makes it more interesting, it can be implemented at any time, low cost and able to provide high impact result. The issue of employee engagement needs special attention as the current situation portrays a shocking truth where only 13% of employees worldwide are engaged. In Malaysia, the rate is even worse as there are only 11% employees engaged in their jobs. Hence, employee engagement is critical issue that need to be addressed urgently in public service. As such, Blue Ocean Leadership is offering new framework and tools for leaders in public service with the aim of increasing level of employee engagement. Finally, this new leadership profile is shown on leadership canvas and shared among employees that aim to motivate them to strive for organizational excellence

Antinociceptive activity of methanolic extract of Muntingia calabura leaves: further elucidation of the possible mechanisms

Background: Muntingia calabura (Elaecoparceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used, particularly, by the Peruvian people to alleviate headache and cold, pain associated with gastric ulcers or to reduce the prostate gland swelling. Following the recent establishment of antinociceptive activity of M. calabura leaf, the present study was performed to further elucidate on the possible mechanisms of antinociception involved. Methods: The methanol extract of M. calabura (MEMC) was prepared in the doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg. The role of bradykinin, protein kinase C, pottasium channels, and various opioid and non-opioid receptors in modulating the extract’s antinociceptive activity was determined using several antinociceptive assays. Results are presented as Mean ± standard error of mean (SEM). The one-way ANOVA test with Dunnett's multiple comparison was used to analyze and compare the data, with P < 0.05 as the limit of significance. Results: The MEMC, at all doses, demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent antinociceptive activity in both the bradykinin- and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced nociception. Pretreatment of the 500 mg/kg MEMC with 10 mg/kg glibenclamide (an ATP-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor), the antagonist of μ-, δ- and κ-opioid receptors (namely 10 mg/kg β-funaltrexamine, 1 mg/kg naltrindole and 1 mg/kg nor-binaltorphimine), and the non-opioid receptor antagonists (namely 3 mg/kg caffeine (a non-selective adenosinergic receptor antagonist), 0.15 mg/kg yohimbine (an α2-noradrenergic antagonist), and 1 mg/kg pindolol (a β-adrenoceptor antagonist)) significantly (p < 0.05) reversed the MEMC antinociception. However, 10 mg/kg atropine (a non-selective cholinergic receptor antagonist), 0.15 mg/kg prazosin (an α1-noradrenergic antagonist) and 20 mg/kg haloperidol (a non-selective dopaminergic antagonist) did not affect the extract's antinociception. The phytochemicals screening revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins and triterpenes while the HPLC analysis showed the presence of flavonoid-based compounds. Conclusions: The antinociceptive activity of MEMC involved activation of the non-selective opioid (particularly the μ-, δ- and κ-opioid) and non-opioid (particularly adenosinergic, α2-noradrenergic, and β-adrenergic) receptors, modulation of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel, and inhibition of bradikinin and protein kinase C actions. The discrepancies in MEMC antinociception could be due to the presence of various phytochemicals

IoT Technological Development: Prospect And Implication For Cyberstability

Failure to address the risk poses by future technological development could cause devastating damage to public trust in the technologies. Therefore, ascendant technologies such as artificial intelligence are the key components to provide solutions for new cybersecurity threats and strengthen the capabilities of the future technological developments. In effect, ability of the technologies to prevent and withstand a cyber-attack could become the new deterrence. This paper will provide gaps to guide the government, industry, and the research community in pursuing Internet of Things (IoT) technological development that may be in need of improvement. The contribution of this paper is as follows: First, a roadmap that outline security requirements and concerns of future technology and the significant of IoT technology in addressing the concerns. Second, an assessment that illustrates the expected and unexpected impact of future technology adoption and its significant geopolitical implication on potential impacted areas such as regulatory, legal, political, military, and intelligence

In vitro antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of the extracts of Muntingia calabura leaves.

The in vitro antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of the aqueous, chloroform and methanol extracts of Muntingia calabura leaves were determined in the present study. Assessed using the 3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay, the aqueous and methanol extracts of M. calabura inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7, HeLa, HT-29, HL-60 and K-562 cancer cells while the chloroform extract only inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7, HeLa, HL-60 and K-562 cancer cells. Interestingly, all extracts of M. calabura, which failed to inhibit the MDA-MB-231 cells proliferation, did not inhibit the proliferation of 3T3 (normal) cells, indicating its safety. All extracts (20, 100 and 500 μg/ml) were found to possess antioxidant activity when tested using the DPPH radical scavenging and superoxide scavenging assays with the methanol, followed by the aqueous and chloroform, extract exhibiting the highest antioxidant activity in both assays. The total phenolic content for the aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts were 2970.4 ± 6.6, 1279.9 ± 6.1 and 2978.1 ± 4.3 mg/100 g gallic acid, respectively. In conclusion, the M. calabura leaves possess potential antiproliferative and antioxidant activities that could be attributed to its high content of phenolic compounds, and thus, needs to be further explored

Antihypercholesterolemia property and fatty acid composition of MARDI-produced virgin coconut oils

Virgin coconut oil (VCO), or in Malays known as ‘minyak kelapa dara’, has gain a lot of attention recently due to various medicinal values. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feeding two types of VCOs, VCOA (produced via a standard drying method) or VCOB (prepared via fermentation process), that were produced by Malaysia Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI) in lowering the plasma lipid parameter in rabbits. Nine groups of New Zealand White male rabbits (n = 6/group) were used in this study. Group 1 and 2 animals were treated with 0.9% normal saline, but fed either with a normal or cholesterol-added diet (negative control), respectively. Group 3 - 5 and 6 - 8 were given orally with the different volume (0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 ml/kg/day) of VCOA or VCOB followed by the cholesterol-added diet. Group 9 were treated with 5 mg/kg Atorvastatin and fed a cholesterol-added diet. All groups were treated for 8 weeks and blood samples were taken from the marginal ear vein prior to treatment (day 0), weeks 4 and 8 for the analysis of plasma. The rabbits fed with different volume of VCOs showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in plasma cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels compared to the control group in weeks 4 and 8. The triglycerides level increased significantly (P < 0.05) on week 4 before reduced on week 8, to a level that is still significant when compared to week 0. The HDL level also increased significantly (P < 0.05) on weeks 4 and 8 after treatment. Fatty acid analysis revealed the presence of all important fatty acids. Both VCOs showed insignificant effect on all parameters measured when compared together. In conclusion, the MARDI-produced VCOs appeared to possess great potentials as antihypercholesterolemic agent that required further in-depth study

Analisis leksikografi dan semantik perkataan al-kafur dalam al-Qur’an

Perkataan al-Kafur merupakan antara istilah tumbuh-tumbuhan yang terdapat dalam Al-Qur’an. Perkataan al-Kafur direkodkan sekali sahaja dalam Al-Qur’an iaitu dalam surah al-Insan ayat kelima. Perkataan al-Kafur dalam bahasa Arab dapat dilihat perbincangannya dalam bidang filologi Arab, hadith, tafsir Al-Qur’an, leksikografi dan syair Arab. Terdapat perselisihan pendapat dalam kalangan sarjana Arab-Islam bagi menentukan maksud perkataan al-Kafur. Sebahagian daripada mereka merujuk kepada maksud kapur barus, manakala sebahagian yang lain merujuk kepada maksud pokok oleander dan beberapa maksud yang lain. Faktor yang menyebabkan perselisihan dalam kalangan sarjana Arab-Islam adalah kerana perkataan al-Kafur yang terdapat dalam Al-Qur'an merujuk kepada nikmat yang terdapat di dalam syurga. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mencari maksud sebenar perkataan al-Kafur seperti yang digambarkan dalam Al-Qur’an. Kajian ini berbentuk kualitatif yang menggunakan kaedah kajian perpustakaan dalam proses pengumpulan dan penganalisisan data. Untuk mendapatkan data yang lengkap, perbincangan juga turut melibatkan konteks penggunaan perkataan al-Kafur dalam tafsir Al-Qur’an, hadith dan juga syair-syair Arab. Selain itu, kajian ini juga menggunakan data perbandingan dari bidang sains pertanian dan sains perubatan Islam. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa kapur barus adalah tafsiran yang paling hampir dengan perkataan al-Kafur seperti yang digambarkan dalam Al-Qur'an. Kajian ini dapat merungkaikan konflik dalam memahami ayat Al-Quran dan pada masa yang sama menolak dakwaan bahawa terdapat ketidaksempurnaan dalam kandungan Al-Qur'an

Investigation of Indoor Thermal Environments in a Two-Story Corner Terrace House in Malaysia

An effective passive cooling strategy is essential for reducing energy consumption in a residential building without ignoring thermal comfort. Therefore, a field measurement on the thermal performance of a corner terrace house in Kuala Lumpur was conducted to reveal the effectiveness of free running (FR) with four different approaches – no ventilation, full ventilation, day ventilation, and night ventilation. The measurement was done for all bedrooms and family area on the first floor. Also, mixed mode (MM) consisting of natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation with ceiling fan, and cooling with an air-conditioner that represents the actual condition of this house was also measured at living and dining area on the ground floor for comparison. The results reveal that FR from all approaches recorded a mean indoor air temperature of approximately 31 ∘C. The actual thermal condition of the house with MM on the ground floor was recorded at 30 ∘C, 1 ∘C lower than FR approach on the first floor. When compared with relevant international standards on predicting indoor comfort temperature based on outdoor temperature, FR was approximately 5 ∘C higher than predicted temperature based on American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 55 (2017), 3.4 ∘C higher than European Standard EN15251 and 1.5 ∘C higher than adaptive thermal comfort equation (ACE) for hot-humid climate. In comparison, MM performed better and was closer to relevant international standards, especially ACE for the hot-humid climate. As a conclusion, FR is not suitable for a hot-humid climate such as Malaysia to achieve a comfortable indoor thermal environment without any assisted ventilation use in MM

Mutational analysis of CYP2C8 in hypertensive patients using denaturing high performance liquid chromatography.

What is known and Objective: CYP2C8 is involved in the cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenase pathway. Arachidonic acid metabolites such as epoxyeicosatrienenoic acids and hydroxyeicosatetrenoic acids, produced may have a role in hypertension. We aimed to develop a medium through-put method for screening samples of known and new mutations of CYP2C8 using denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). Methods: DNA samples from 200 subjects (hypertensive patients and healthy controls) were screened for SNPs in CYP2C8 using DHPLC. Genotypes and allelic frequencies of CYP2C8 between the healthy controls and patients with hypertension were compared. Results and Discussions: Six variants were detected and two were new; T deletion at 5063 and substitution of C to T at 33468 in exon 8. Differences in variant frequencies were detected between the controls and hypertensive patients. The controls have significantly higher prevalence of C35322C compared to the patients. The functional significance of the SNP at 35322 requires further study. Having homozygous C35322C could be a protective factor for hypertension. What is new and Conclusion: Denaturing high performance liquid chromatography is useful for population screening to identify new and existing SNPs. A higher frequency of the C35322T SNP was observed among hypertensive patients than control subjects. This potentially important observation requires confirmation and the clinical significance assessed