Agro-ento bioinformation: towards the edge of reality

Information communication has advanced from the fundamental universe-bio-physicschemistry probes to exploration of bioprocessing tangibles and intangibles. Bounded by such information advancement frames, domains of agro-forestry and entomology, and medicine, have witnessed progression through evolution, revolution, and bioinformation in their knowledge contents. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) paradigms steered the course of agro-forest and medical-industries during the 1800 and 1900 eras. IPM Concept is a synthetic framework that results from evolution, revolution, and presently bioformation in domains of agro-medico-ecological and anthropo-ecological activities. A chronological history of pest management parallels the history of industrial revolution and highlights man's attempts at dealing and living with the environment, arthropods and other pestly species. A cycle of progression from using natural controls to made-made utilities and back to enhancing of natural processes is evident as one walks through time and space of history during the development of civilization. IPM success demands usage and stringent compliance with ecological imperatives, which need to be lucidly expressed as knowledge precepts. Biological knowledge is at the forefront of this usage, especially with the new millennium becoming the Age of Biology. Consequently, bioinformation is commencing to thrive as a global entity, which revolutionizes and drives societal progress. Bioinformation, in brief, comprises biology, information algorithms, information technology, and communication protocols. Thus biology becomes a domain of information science. Attributes of bioinformation can be defined through its primers and profiles. The primers, which entrain processes, both natural and man-induced, include mechanisms such as protocols, algorithms, visualisations, and structural and visual designs. The protocols range from the molecular levels to domains of larger dimensions such as those encompassing fraternities of politics and policies, and societal applications. These protocols, algorithms, and visualisations undergo dynamic incubation processes to produce the end product, which is bioinformation. Entomology is an inherent component of this bioinformation revolution. The information communication technology linkages are exemplified through simulation, modelling, and visualization explorations

Action thresholds of wet rice arthropods for pest management decision-making in Malaysia

Action thresholds to aid pest population management decision-making of 11 categories of wet rice arthropods are suggested in terms of mean population density per hill (x) and proportion of infestation (P(I)) of the field sampling units. The thresholds are the (x) and P(I) values at the point of saturation of a polynomial regression curve obtained by plotting (x) against P(I) for each arthropod category. The respective values for pests are: 3.38, 0.92 (Nephotettix spp.), 6.28, 1.00 (Nilaparvata lugens), 1.37, 0.72 (Cnaphalocrocis medinalisPyralidae), 2.42, 0.90 (Recilia dorsalis), 3.81, 0.97 (Sogatella furcifera), and for predators are: 3.89, 0.98 (Cyrtorhinus lividipennis), 2.39, 0.85 (Anatrichus pygmaeus- Diptera), 2.02, 0.82 (Odonata), 1.65, 0.81 (Casnoidea sPP), 1.61, 0.64 (paederus fuscipes), and 1.60, 0.69 (spiders). P(I) is significantly (P<O.OOl) affected by arthropod category and growth stage of the crop. The observed pel) indicated high fits (most i>0.90) to clumped- and Poisson-based distribution models

Presence/absence sequential plans for pest management decision-making, for arthropods of wet rice ecosystem in Malaysia

Presence-absence sequential sampling plans are presented for 11 arthropod categories to assist in management of their populations in the multipest-infested rice crop in Malaysia. Data from visual inspection of204 samples, with 40 and 100 hills per sample, were used to develop the plans. Action threshold for each of the 11 (5 pests, 6 predators) arthropod categories was obtained through a fourth-order polynomial regression of proportion of infestation against mean population densities, at the point of saturation of infestation. The pest species are: Nephotettix spp., Nilaparvata lugens, Recilia dorsalis, Sogatella furcifera and Cnapholocrocis medinalis (Pyralidae), and the predators: Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, Anatrichus pygmaeus (Diptera), spiders, Odonata, Paederus fuscipes and Casnoidea spp. Risk levels of Type I (a) and Type II error ({3) were prefixed at 0.3, since lower levels entail taking a larger number of samples. The sequential plans were then generated using the SEQUAN computer program of Talerico and Chapman (1970). During field operation on not more than 50 ha at a time, it is suggested that at least ten hills should be examined visually before recommending any pest management action. Simultaneous sampling of pests and predators enables status of predators' populations to be considered before recommending any decision

Differential diurnal population density ratios of wet rice arthropods in Malaysia

The varying population density of wet rice arthropods in a 24-h period, at two different locations, was monitored. Using one hill as the sampling unit, 22 categories of arthropods were visually counted every 3 h. In each of two separate studies, at each combination of arthropod category, date and time of sampling, the mean density at each sampling time was calculated and divided by the mean density for that day, to obtain the ratio of population density. Analysis of variance on these ratios (log transformed to normalize residuals and stabilize the variance) indicates sampling time as the only significant (P<0.05) main effect. When combined across categories and dates, ratios for 2100, 2400 and 0300 h were similar, higher than 1, and significantly higher than those from 0600 - 1800 h. Examination of each category's ratio pattern indicates four major behaviour groupings: (1) those with night ratios higher than 1, hence present in higher numbers at night and known to be active then; (2) those with ratios higher at night but known to be inactive then; (3) those with relatively constant ratios throughout day and night; (4) those with ratios high at certain hours only, usually at night and known to be most active then. Accurate estimation ofpopulation should consider the varying density ofindividuals corresponding with the time of day and changing activity pattern of the arthropod concerned. Hence it is suggested here that the appropriate ratio should be used for the relevant arthropod category when sampling at a certain time of day

Distribution of Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB) Conopomorpha cramerella (Snellen) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) egg population with respect to the Pod Phenology

At the Malaysian Cocoa Board Research Station at Hilir Perak, Sg. Sumun, Perak, an in-depth investigation on sampling of the cocoa pod borer (CPB) was conducted over a period of 12 months from 2000 to 2001. Several components were examined including determining distribution of CPB with respect to pod phenology and determining optimum sample size to produce sampling parameters for CPB using three different sampling techniques, random, systematic and stratified. Data were analysed using two aggregation models; Taylor's Power Law (b coefficient) and Iwao's mean crowding (f3 coefficient). CPB's egg were found to be highly aggregated. In determining optimum sample sizes, two parameters were calculated; b coefficient of Green's model and f3 coefficient for Kuno's model. The Green model was suitable to produce the most efficient sampling sizes during low and high population densities for all sampling techniques

Postgraduate student-supervisor interface: issues and challenges

In this qualitative paper we discuss our face-to-face experience with 28 foreign (mainly from Iran) postgraduate students who registered with the Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science and 31 who registered with the Department of Professional Development and Continuing Education, Faculty of Educational Studies, UPM. The paper addresses itself to three principal areas of concern: firstly, the supervisor-student relationship; secondly, the students’ literacy and academic competency; thirdly, academic and social cultural interface. The discussions are predicated on our personal experiences with these students over a three-year period. The influx of postgraduate students, particularly from Iran and Middle Eastern countries made it necessary for us to pay due attention to our encounters with them. The locus of tensions largely dwelt on UPM’s educational system and values. Academic incompetence, language and cultural differences are major issues. Understanding of related issues will benefit both the students and UPM in its efforts to become a global player in higher education. We recommend that both qualitative and quantitative studies be conducted by supervisors to explore and determine the overseas students’ motivation and learning behavior. We postulate development of an intellectual community that can stimulate challenges beyond the academic encounters. For both faculties, various forms of learning media for the promotion of effective communication should be developed and made available for flexible learning to occur. To help students improve their academic literacy, it is important ‘to identify the epistemological and ontological dimension for a flexible approach to learning’ (Tavakol & Dennick 2009). Formal counselling sessions can allow students to know what type of learner they are

Health-related quality of life among hypertensive patients compared with general population norms.

The 36-item short form (SF-36) health survey is the most popular generic HRQOL instrument that has been widely used to measure several population studies and variety of health conditions, including hypertension. The objectives of this study were to compare the HRQOL of hypertensive patients with that of a general population norm and analyze differences according to the presence of comorbid conditions such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular comorbidities. A total of 388 hypertensive patients was included in this cross-sectional study. Socio-demographic information and the presence of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular comorbidities were recorded. HRQOL was assessed by using SF-36 instrument. General linear models were used to identify statistically significant differences in scale scores. Hypertensive patients reported lower scores in six SF-36 dimensions except bodily pain and role emotional dimension when compared with Malaysian norms. After adjusting for socio-demographic variables (age, gender, education and employment), SF-36 scores in the presence of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular comorbidities were comparably limited and both had statistically significantly lower scores than hypertensive patients without comorbidities. Hypertension reduced HRQOL and cardiovascular comorbidities exacerbate reductions. Hence, future research of effective interventions should include ensuring desirable HRQOL as well as controlling blood pressure to prevent or reduce comorbidities of hypertension

Comorbid conditions and health-related quality of life among hypertensive patients.

Hypertension and its comorbid conditions mayaffect patients’ quality of life. This study is to de-termine the relationship between comorbid condi-tions and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) inhypertensive patients. A total of 173 hypertensivepatients were included in this cross-sectional study.Data on sociodemography, prevalence of comor-bid conditions, and the Medical Outcomes Study36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scoreson HRQOL were obtained through guided intervi-ew, using pre-tested questionnaires. The influenceof sociodemography and comorbid conditions onSF-36 scores was assessed. Age, gender, and edu-cational level affected most domains of SF-36 scalenegatively. Hypertensive patients with heart diseasecondition recorded lower scores in most of the SF-36 domains. Diabetes too affected negatively fivedomains especially the physical constructs. Previ-ous stroke has a negative impact on physical fun-ctioning, general health, vitality, and mental health,whereas the negative influence of nephropathy onlyaffected physical functioning. We conclude thathypertension and comorbid conditions are associ-ated with decreases in HRQOL. Therefore, preven-ting or reducing the complications of hypertensionis needed in order to improve quality of life amonghypertensive patients