Calibration of the science process skills among Malaysian elementary students: A Rasch model analysis

This study aimed to calibrate the test items of science process skills used as a test at primary school students to provide information on the difficulty of each item. Data were collected from 128 standard five students in a primary school in Penang. The test was given in multiple-choice as many as 40 items consisting of 33 items partial credit test was developed to gather information from the students. The analysis included an assessment of the model’s assumptions and calibrations according to the individual items. Information on the Rasch calibration according to the topic were provided. Results revealed that the measurement made fulfilled both model-data fit and unidimensionality assumptions. Further analysis showed that observing and communicating were endorsed as the easiest to master while inferring and classifying were the most challenging. The study discussed the implication, particularly towards the teaching and learning of science process skills in the classroom. Teachers should seriously consider the science process skills when designing their teaching and learning strategies in the classroom

A Doctrinal Review of Visual Art from Islamic Religious Institution in Malaysia

This paper aims to gather doctrinal reference regarding visual art from Malaysian Islamic Religious institutions; and to analyze the content of all collections (objective 1) that are related to the presentation of visual art as discussed in the perspective of Islamic Shariah; by using a systematic literature review approach. The findings from the doctrinal report on visual art showed that its discussion revolved only around the explanation of imagery in visual art which involved 6 types of visible subjects. This comprehensive collection will become a guideline in producing visual artwork that comply with Islamic Shariah. Keywords: Doctrinal review; guideline; fatwa; visual art eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bsby e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-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.v5iSI3.253

Optimal Placement and Sizing of Distributed Generators Based on a Novel MPSI Index

The Objective: This paper presents a method to identify the optimal location and size of DGs based on the power stability index and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm.Materials and methods: First, a novel maximum power stability index (MPSI) is derived from the well-established theorem of maximum power transfer. The MPSI is utilized as an objective function to determine the optimal DG locations. Next, a PSO-based model with randomized load is developed to optimize DG sizing in view of the system’s real power losses.Results and Conclusion: Lastly, a IEEE 30-bus test system is employed in the simulation. The performance of proposed MPSI index are comparable with other voltage stability indices. The DG optimization model considering voltage stability and loss minimization provides better results compared to that obtained using only loss minimization approach

The effects of intramuscular and intraperitoneal injections of benzo(a)pyrene on selected biomarkers in Clarias gariepinus.

This study investigated the dose-dependent and time-course effects of intramuscular (i.m.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) on the biomarkers EROD activity, GST activity, concentrations of BaP metabolites in bile, and visceral fat deposits (Lipid Somatic Index, LSI) in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Intraperitoneal injection resulted in 4.5 times higher accumulation of total selected biliary FACs than i.m. injection. Hepatic GST activities were inhibited by BaP via both injection methods. Dose–response relationships between BaP injection and both biliary FAC concentrations and hepatic GST activities were linear in the i.p. injected group but nonlinear in the i.m. injected fish. Hepatic EROD activity and LSI were not significantly affected by BaP exposure by either injection route. We conclude that i.p. is a more effective route of exposure than i.m. for future ecotoxicological studies of PAH exposure in C. gariepinus

Fatty acids profile of tropical bagridae catfish (Mystus numerus)during storage.

Changes in the fatty acid composition of the fresh water catfish (Mystus nemurus) stored in 10°C and ice (0± 2°C) for 1, 10 and 20 days were monitored. A total of 22 fatty acids were found to be present in the studied samples. The main saturated fatty acids (SFA) were palmitic (17.99%), tridecanoic (16.59%), stearic (4.40%) and myristic (2.61%). The monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were dominated largely by the oleic acid (24.84%) and palmitoleic acid (4.66%). The long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were also present in significant amounts, composed of eicosapentaenoic (2.65%) and docosahexaenoic (4.44%). Results also revealed that saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid significantly increased (p<0.05) during storage while polyunsaturated decreased. This should attracts attention to the importance of the proper and short period storage to retain the best quality of fish meat and its lipid contents

Molecular characterization of horseshoe crab anti-lipopolysaccharide factor C-peptide for hybridization-based detection method of gram negative bacteria.

Recent advances in molecular techniques have revolutionized the detection of microorganism. The development of a molecular-based technique for detection of the three different targets of Enterbacteriacae was undertaken. Primer and probe were designed based on specific pepted of novel hemolymph protein of horseshoe crabs (Factor C anti-LPS) Tachypleus tridentatus that is believed to be involved in the binds to the lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae. The aim of our study the exploit part of cell wall polysaccharide in the development of improved detection method based on molecular approaches. In the gene detection assay, Lipopolysaccharide gene of Salmonella, V. cholera and E. coil were hybridized to anti-LPS factor gene found in the biolysate of the marine animals. The wzm and wzt genes encoding O-polysaccharide genes were amplified in these pathogens and the LPS factor C were amplified from the marine lysate. Development of a PCR-based technique for detection of the food-borne pathogens particularly Sa Salmonella, V. cholera and E. coil were achieved. Thus rapid, sensitive and reliable techniques for the detection of food-borne pathogens developed

Development of low liquid fuel Burnera

Recently, most of the gas turbine combustion research and development involves in lowering the emissions emitted from the combustor. Emission causes adverse affect to the world and mankind especially. Main concern of the present work is to reduce the NOx emission since the CO emission could be reduced through homogeneous mixing of fuel and air. Homogeneous mixing of fuel and air is also needed in order to reduce NOx emission. A liquid fuel burner system with radial air swirler vane angle of 30o, 40o, 50o and 60o has been investigated using 163mm inside diameter combustor. Orifice plates with three different sizes of 20mm, 25mm and 30mm were inserted at the back plate of swirler outlet. All tests were conducted using diesel as fuel. Fuel was injected at two different positions, i.e. at upstream and downstream of the swirler outlet using central fuel injector with single fuel nozzle pointing axially outwards. Experiment has been carried out to compare the three emissions NOx, CO and SO2. NOx reduction of about 53 percent was achieved for orifice plate of 20mm with downstream injection compared to orifice plate of 20mm with upstream injection. CO2 and SO2 was reduced about 26 percent and 56 percent respectively for the same configuration. This comparison was taken using swirler vane angle of 60o. The overall study shows that larger swirler vane angle produces lower emission results compared to the smaller ones. Smaller orifice plates produce better emission reduction. Meanwhile, downstream injection position significantly decreases the emission levels compared to upstream injection position. Combination of smallest orifice plate and largest swirler vane angle with downstream injection produce widest and shortest flame length

Detection of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolated using molecular approaches.

Escherichia coli strains are among the major bacterial causes of diarrheal illness. There are now seven classes of diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC), namely enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), diarrhea-associated hemolytic E. coli (DHEC) and Cytolethal Distending Toxin (CDT)-producing E. coli. Due to the need for costly and labor-intensive diagnostic procedures, identification of DEC is difficult at standard laboratories. Therefore, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or dot blot has been used for genetic detection of DEC of 25 E. coli isolates from different sources. Amplification of eae (277 bp), bfp (266 bp), stx1 (154 bp), EAST (94 bp), stx2 (698 bp) and elt (450 bp) genes of a single product in separate reactions was produced. PCR showed ability to amplify and detected genes of the most common important categories of diarrheagenic E. coli isolates of different sources, it is possible implementation of this technique to diagnosis water, foodborne outbreaks related to E. coli. Dots blot and sequence analysis used to confirm the results of PCR

Pultruded Natural Fibre Reinforced Composites: Preparation, Properties And Applications

Environmentally friendly composites are today highly required by utilizing natural fibers as reinforcement combined with biodegradable polymer as matrices