Learning Japanese through Anime

While studies have confirmed that there is apparent connection between interest in anime and Japanese language learning among the Japanese language learners (Manion, 2005; Fukunaga, 2006; William, 2006; Abe, 2009), the practical use of anime in teaching Japanese Language as a Foreign Language has not been studied in depth. The present study aimed to discover the language features that can be learned by the Japanese language learners through critical viewing of anime in classroom. A course named “Learning Japanese language through Anime” was carried out in one public university in Malaysia for a duration of 10 weeks. Along with the administration of the course, the participants’ worksheets on language analysis and learning diaries were collected. The findings showed that language used in anime is more casual in most of the contexts involving daily life. This language use is quite different from what the students usually listen to and use in the classroom where the educators heavily emphasis on the polite ways of speaking using the material designed specifically for pedagogical purposes such as textbooks. Although at times, the language presented in anime maybe even harsh or rough in an exaggerated way, rather than ignore this, it may be better to address it critically under the guidance of educator

Delusional Infestation:Perspectives from Scottish Dermatologists and a 10-year Case Series from a Single Centre

Perceptions of the clinical management of delusional infestation (DI) were compared with clinical outcomes in this 10-year case series from a single centre in Dundee, UK. An online questionnaire (survey-monkey, a TM brand of online survey available for free for basic use) was sent to Scottish Dermatologists to gauge their opinions and confidence in the management of DI. Also, a retrospective review of medical case notes of patients seen by dermatologists in one institution was undertaken and clinical outcomes were reported by patients’ general practitioners (GP). The survey showed that 61% of responding dermatologists encountered 1–5 cases of DI per year. Twenty-four percent respondees were ‘confident’ in managing patients with DI, 54% were ‘somewhat confident’. Forty-seven patients (62% female, 70% single) were seen over the 10 years; 43% brought a self-collected specimen to clinic, 68% of patients had a psychiatric comorbidity, 23% of patients had primary DI and 11/47 (23%) were seen by a psychiatrist. Clinical outcomes as rated by patients’ GPs were reasonable or good in 2/3 patients. A poor outcome was seen in 12 patients and associated with chronic pain in 50% (p< 0.01) and psychiatric comorbidity in 100% (p < 0.01). We conclude that good outcomes can be achieved in some patients with DI without psychiatric input and without psychoactive treatment

Factors affecting customer loyalty in the telecommunications industry in the Klang Valley, Malaysia

A vital factor in the growth and performance of a company in the current highly competitive telecommunications industry is the development and enhancement of customer loyalty. Although several studies in the past have helped explain the influence of some significant variables for loyalty, not many studies have examined the effects of certain factors such as service quality, customer value and corporate image on the loyalty of subscribers of mobile telecommunication companies or providers. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore the critical factors of service quality, customer value, corporate image and customer satisfaction that generate customer loyalty in the mobile communication service markets in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Furthermore, this study also attempts to validate the connection between these factors and customer loyalty. This study employed the convenience sampling method to select 100 respondents in the Klang Valley, Malaysia, who are mobile phone users. Their personal information was analysed by means of descriptive analysis, while inferential analysis was used to test the hypotheses. All the hypotheses were found to be supported by the findings of the study, which also showed that the tested variables are significantly related to each other. This illustrates that mobile service providers wanting to build and maintain a competitive edge in the mobile service market should make greater efforts to enhance the quality of their service, provide superior customer value, attain higher customer satisfaction and win customer loyalty

Selection of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR normalization in Ganoderma-infected oil palm (Elaies guineensis) seedlings

African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is an important oil bearing tree commercially cultivated in Malaysia. Palm oil is an important product for local consumption, provides enormous socio-economic benefits of trade and employment opportunities, and fulfilling the growing global demand for vegetable oils. The monoculture system has fostered the outbreak of basal stem rot (BSR) disease caused by the fungus Ganoderma boninense. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is a widely used molecular technique to examine the infection effect on gene expression in oil palm. The selection of appropriate reference genes is vital for accurate data normalization. In this study, the expression stability of six housekeeping genes- β-actin, cyclophilin, GAPDH, MSD, NAD and ubiquitin were validated in oil palm root tissue after fungal infection. NormFinder and BestKeeper algorithms were used to cross-validate the expression stability of the candidate reference genes. MSD, NAD and ubiquitin were shown to exhibit the highest expression stability. These genes were recommended as reference genes for gene expression studies of oil palm root tissue at early fungal infection stage

Isolation of salinity tolerant genes from the mangrove plant, Bruguiera cylindrica by using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and bacterial functional screening

In this study, we have identified and isolated 126 salinity tolerant cDNAs from the root of a mangrove plant, Bruguiera cylindrica (L.) Blume by using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and bacterial functional screening. Sequencing of 51 subtracted cDNA clones that were differentially expressed in the root of B. cylindrica exposed to 20 parts per thousand (ppt) NaCl water revealed 10 tentative unique genes (TUGs) with putative functions in protein synthesis, storage and destination, metabolism, intracellular trafficking and other functions; and 9 unknown proteins. Meanwhile, the 75 cDNA sequences of B. cylindrica that conferred salinity tolerance to Escherichia coli consisted of 29 TUGs with putative functions in transportation, metabolism and other functions; and 33 with unknown functions. Both approaches yielded 42 unique sequencess that have not been reported else where to be stress related and might provide further understanding of adaptations of this plant to salinity stress

Application of Fungi as Meat Alternatives in Industry: Mini Review

Human consumption has outpaced meat production and manufacturing due to the rising human population and limited land for livestock agriculture. Meat consumption can have negative effects on human health, but meat production can negatively affect the environment by causing global warming and water pollution. Hence, this study produces the idea of using fungus as an alternative to replacing meat. Fungus is an ideal choice as a meat replacement because it has high nutritional content and a fast growth rate. The main objective of this review was to assess the nutritional potential of nine fungal species namely Fusarium venenatum, Neurospora intermedia, Tuber sp., Xerocomus badius, Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotuseryngii, Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus sajor-caju and Lentinula edodes and to determine which species is the best candidate for meat replacement. The nutritional values, toxicity, and growth rate of each fungus were assessed. Comparative data analysis suggests that F. venenatum, N. intermedia, P. eryngii, A. bisporus, P. sajor-caju, and L. edodes are found suitable for producing fungi-based meat

Collectivistic coping styles and mental well-being of college students in Malaysia

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and collectivistic coping styles (CCS) among Malaysian college students. A total of 176 (130 females, 46 males) students from a university in Selangor, Malaysia, completed measures of CCS and mental well-being. Data were analyzed using correlation coefficient and regression analysis. Results revealed a significant positive relationship between mental well-being and CCS. Specifically, regression analysis showed that acceptance, reframing, and striving (ARS), family support (FS), and private emotional outlet (PEO) were significant predictors of mental well-being among college students in Malaysia. These dimensions of collectivistic coping strategies were particularly useful to mitigate stressors among college students in Malaysia

A comparative analysis of β-mannanases of bacteria from Antarctica and Malaysia

β-mannanase is an enzyme that is commonly expressed in environmental bacteria. It degrades hemicellulose found in plant material and recycles nutrients back into the environment. Because this enzyme significantly contributes to biodegradation and has recently been applied in industry, we conducted a comparative analysis of bacterial isolates found in soil samples from Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica, and Sabah, Malaysia that were capable of degrading mannan. A total of 9 bacterial isolates from Antarctica and 30 bacterial isolates from Malaysia exhibited β-mannanase activity. These bacteria were differentiated and clustered using their random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles, and the β-mannanase activity of these isolates was tested at different temperatures and pH. Five out of 9 Antarctica isolates and seven out of 30 Malaysian isolates were identified based on their 16S rDNA sequences. Identified bacterial isolates from Antarctica were: MP1 (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens), MP2 (Bacillus pumilus), MP5 (Bacillus pumilus), A40 (Arthrobacter sp.), and C27 (Arthrobacter oxydans). Identified bacterial isolates from Malaysia were: Y1 (Paenibacillus sp.), Y2 (Bacillus sp.), Y16 (Paenibacillus sp.), Y18 (Paenibacillus sp.), A7 (Paenibacillus sp.), B26 (Streptomyces sp.), and D4 (Paenibacillus amylolyticus). β-mannanases produced by the Antarctica bacterial isolates MP1 (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) and A40 (Arthrobacter sp.) were active at 5℃ and 20℃, respectively, while the β-mannanase produced by the bacterial isolate from Malaysia, A7 (Paenibacillus sp.), was active at 35℃