Taxonomy learning from Malay texts using artificial immune system based clustering

In taxonomy learning from texts, the extracted features that are used to describe the context of a term usually are erroneous and sparse. Various attempts to overcome data sparseness and noise have been made using clustering algorithm such as Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering (HAC), Bisecting K-means and Guided Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (GAHC). However these methods suffer low recall. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the application of two hybridized artificial immune system (AIS) in taxonomy learning from Malay text and develop a Google-based Text Miner (GTM) for feature selection to reduce data sparseness. Two novel taxonomy learning algorithms have been proposed and compared with the benchmark methods (i.e., HAC, GAHC and Bisecting K-means). The first algorithm is designed through the hybridization of GAHC and Artificial Immune Network (aiNet) called GCAINT (Guided Clustering and aiNet for Taxonomy Learning). The GCAINT algorithm exploits a Hypernym Oracle (HO) to guide the hierarchical clustering process and produce better results than the benchmark methods. However, the Malay HO introduces erroneous hypernym-hyponym pairs and affects the result. Therefore, the second novel algorithm called CLOSAT (Clonal Selection Algorithm for Taxonomy Learning) is proposed by hybridizing Clonal Selection Algorithm (CLONALG) and Bisecting k-means. CLOSAT produces the best results compared to the benchmark methods and GCAINT. In order to reduce sparseness in the obtained dataset, the GTM is proposed. However, the experimental results reveal that GTM introduces too many noises into the dataset which leads to many false positives of hypernym-hyponym pairs. The effect of different combinations of affinity measurement (i.e., Hamming, Jaccard and Rand) on the performance of the developed methods was also studied. Jaccard is found better than Hamming and Rand in measuring the similarity distance between terms. In addition, the use of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for automatic parameter tuning the GCAINT and CLOSAT was also proposed. Experimental results demonstrate that in most cases, PSO-tuned CLOSAT and GCAINT produce better results compared to the benchmark methods and able to reduce data sparseness and noise in the dataset

The electrophysiological and behavioural effects of SSubchronic administration of standardised methanolic Mitragyna speciosa extract on adult male sprague-dawley Rats

The research on Mitragyna speciosa Korth or known as ketum has been carried out to determine its effects towards learning and memory as well as its toxic effects on animals that have been exposed subchronically. There were three objectives in the present study. The first objective was to study the electrophysiological characteristics of standardised methanolic Mitragyna speciosa extract (SMMSE) on hippocampal slices of rats that were exposed to subacute (14 days) and subchronic (28 days) treatment via its effect on long-term potentiation (LTP). The second objective was to study the effects of subchronic SMMSE towards cognitive function by using passive avoidance (PA) test. The last objective was to study the toxicity effects of subchronic SMMSE exposure on organ histopathology, haematology and biochemical parameters. For the first objective, animals were divided into four groups; control, MS100 (100 mg/kg SMMSE), MS200 (200 mg/kg SMMSE) and MS500 (500 mg/kg SMMSE). LTP recording of animals that were exposed to SMMSE for 14 days showed that LTP induction was partially blocked. Meanwhile, the exposure for 28 days showed that LTP induction was totally blocked. For the second objective, animals were divided into five groups; control, MS100, MS200, MS500 and additional morphine group (10 mg/kg). In the passive avoidance test, all groups learned in the acquisition phase. Meanwhile, in the retention phase, subchronically exposed groups showed the improvement in memory, especially MS500. For the last objective, all doses of SMMSE were potentially toxic to the body. Histopathology analyses showed that organs affected by the toxicity of subchronic SMMSE were liver, kidney and lungs. Toxic effects were also seen in the biochemical analyses especially on AST (aspartate aminotransferase), creatinine, globulin, glucose, total protein as well as urea. In contrast, there were no significant differences for hematology tests. In conclusion, subchronic exposure of ketum was able to improve learning and memory. However, the main mechanism of learning and memory which was LTP was totally inhibited by the extract. The subchronic exposure of the extract was also toxic to the liver, lung and kidney

Bone and joint reconstruction using ilizarov circular external fixation device

Introduction: Ilizarov circular external fixation device is a versatile external fixation device which can be used for bone and joint reconstruction such as fracture fixation, bone transport, lengthening, shortening, and correction of deformity and contracture. It is a complex procedure and requires patients understanding, motivation, pin site care and rehabilitation to ensure successful treatment and avoiding complication. The aim of this study was to review cases of bone and joint reconstruction using Ilizarov external fixation device. Materials and Methods: From 2006 till 2018, 59 patients with the mean age of 34.8 (10-69) years old underwent these procedures. There were 49 tibias, three femurs, one humerus, three elbows, two knees and one ankle reconstruction. 18 open fractures, 16 non- union, seven tibial plateau fractures, 10 implant related infections, one valgus mal-union and one shortening. There were also 4 dislocations and two flexion contracture. The procedure that were done include 31 bone transport, 18 fracture fixation, three joint reduction, two correction of flexion contracture, two shortening of tibia and one each for lengthening, deformity correction and arthrodesis. Results: Forty seven (80%) patients achieved the objective of operation: 41 fractures united, three joints were reduced, two achieved knee extension and one deformity corrected. Five developed non-union, of which two not compliant to treatment, two had failed bone transport and one died during the treatment due to medical problem not related to the Ilizarov fixation. Conclusion: Ilizarov circular external fixation is an effective device for joint and bone reconstruction in majority of patients

Metodologi ulama dalam Asbab al-Nuzul al-Quran

Asbab al-Nuzul merupakan kombinasi terpenting dalam pentafsiran al-Qur’an. Ulama-ulama Islam dari dahulu hingga sekarang amat menitik berat tentang ilmu ini. Berbagai-bagai karya telah dihasilkan oleh ulama mengenai ilmu Asbab al-Nuzul ini. Artikel ini akan membincangkan mengenai karya-karya Asbab al-Nuzul serta metodologi penulisnya di dalam kitab-kitab mereka. Hasil kajian telah mendapati bahawa kebanyakan karya-karya berkaitan Asbab al-Nuzul lebih menumpukan kepada takhrij hadith dan menjelaskan kedudukan riwayat-riwayat tersebut. Amat jarang perbincangan terfokus kepada kaitan riwayat dengan tafsiran. Amat perlu kajian berkaitan Asbab al-Nuzul ini ditumpukan kepada peranannya dalam mentafsirkan ayat-ayat al- Qur’an dan kesannya terhadap hukum fiqh

Adab masyarakat Melayu lama dalam Hikayat Hang Tuah

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis dan meneliti unsur adab dan tatacara kehidupan orang Melayu terdahulu yang terdapat dalam teks Hikayat Hang Tuah. Objektif kajian adalah untuk mengenal pasti jenis amalan adab yang wujud dalam teks Hikayat Hang Tuah. Kajian ini menggunakan teori kajian budaya (cultural studies theory) sebagai sokongan dan hujah. Teori ini mengkaji segala tindakan manusia memasuki dan membentuk masyarakatnya. Dapatan kajian mendapati banyak unsur adab dalam kalangan masyarakat Melayu lama yang wujud dalam teks hikayat tersebut. Unsur adab tersebut merangkumi adab masyarakat dalam bersosial. Unsur adab ini menepati kehendak prinsip teori yang digunakan. Implikasi kajian ini adalah sebagai panduan dan rujukan kepada masyarakat, para pengkaji, dan ilmuwan dalam meneliti kandungan penting dalam teks Hikayat Hang Tuah. Di samping itu, kajian ini juga boleh dijadikan sebagai panduan kepada umum mengenai amalan adab orang Melayu terdahulu dalam kehidupan seharian

Kesediaan Guru Program Pengijazahan Perguruan (PKPG) UTM Terhadap Mengajar Mata Pelajaran Sains Dan Matematik Dalam Bahasa Inggeris

Kajian ini dijalankan bertujuan untuk menilai persepsi guru Program Khas Pengijazahan Guru (PKPG) terhadap tahap kesediaan mereka untuk mengajar mata pelajaran sains dan matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris. Tahap kesediaan dalam kajian berbentuk deskriptif ini difokuskan kepada tiga aspek utama iaitu minat, keyakinan dan kemampuan guru untuk mengajar menggunakan Bahasa Inggeris. Seramai 74 orang guru yang mengikuti jurusan Pendidikan Sains dan Matematik di Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai telah dipilih secara rawak sebagai responden. Instrumen kajian yang digunakan ialah soal selidik yang terdiri daripada bahagian A mengandungi maklumat berkenaan latar belakang responden terhadap persoalan-persoalan kajian. Maklumbalas yang diterima diukur menggunakan skala lima mata Likert yang seterusnya dianalisis menggunakan perisian Statistical Pakage for Social science (SPSS) versi 12.0. Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa kesediaan responden untuk mengajar Sains dan Matematik pada keseluruhannya berada di tahap yang baik. Majoriti responden mempunyai minat dan berkemampuan untuk mengajar sains dan matematik dalam bahasa Inggeris. Walaubagaimanapun responden mempunyai tahap keyakinan yang sederhana. Latihan atau kursus-kursus tertentu diperlukan bagi meningkatkan lagi tahap keyakinan dan penguasan mereka terhadap bahasa Inggeris, terutamanya dalam kemahiran bertutur dalam bahasa Inggeris

Outcome of islanded gastrocnemius musculocutaneous flap in orthopaedic practice

Introduction: Large wounds in the leg require combination of local flaps or free flap for wound coverage. Gastrocnemius musculocutaneous flap (GMCF) allows a large wound to be covered by a single local flap. However, the conventional GMCF is often associated with donor site morbidity where the exposed soleus raphe causes poor uptake of the skin graft. Islanding the skin on the muscles allows the donor site to be closed primarily, thus avoiding the donor site morbidity. Materials and Methods: Medical records of twelve patients who underwent islanded GMCF surgery from 2004 till 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The mean age was 31 years old. Eight cases were with open fracture of the tibia, two degloving injury exposing the patella, one open fracture of patella and necrotising soft tissue infection. The wound size ranged from 12cm2 to 120cm2. All flaps survived. Three patients required skin grafting at the donor site while in the rest the donor sites were able to be closed primarily. Four patients developed deep infection, one healed after vacuum dressing, one after bone transport and one after split thickness skin graft. One patient ended up with below knee amputation after developing chronic osteomyelitis of the tibia. Conclusion: Islanded gastrocnemius musculocutaneous flap is an effective simple alternative for coverage of large soft tissue defects from the knee to half of the leg distally with minimal donor site morbidity. Aggressive debridement of unhealthy tissue is necessary to prevent infection following wound coverage with this flap

Mapping of Potential Groundwater Using Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) at Low Land Area of Parit Raja Johor

Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) has emerged as an important technique in geophysical surveys for gaining more information and locating hidden water. This method was used at Parit Raja, Johor to investigate the location of underground water storage. Two-dimensional (2D) geoelectrical imaging has been used for this study. The imaging method was used at three different locations in the study area to identify potential aquifer and suitable locations for boreholes that would serve as observation wells. A Schlumberger array was set up during data acquisition since it can imagine deeper profile data and suitable for areas with a homogeneous layer. For 2D subsurface images, the raw data were processed with the RES2DINV software. According to the ERI results, this area was dominant with low resistivity values of less than 10 Ωm and potential shallow aquifer depths ranging from 10 to 30 m. Furthermore, the chargeability value obtained from Induced Polarization (IP) supported this point. According to the IP data, the chargeability at that point was between 0 and 1 ms, indicating the presence of a groundwater in the study area

Metodologi Muhammad Sa’id Umar terhadap periwayatan hadith-hadith Asbab al-Nuzul dalam Tafsir Nurul Ihsan

Tafsir Nurul Ihsan merupakan tafsir bahasa Melayu pertama yang dihasilkan oleh ulama Malaysia iaitu Muhammad Sa’id bin Umar yang dilahirkan pada tahun 1275H/1854 di kampung Kuar, Jerlun, Kedah Darul Aman. Riwayat Asbab al-Nuzul telah mendominasi sebahagian kecil daripada tafsir ini. Oleh itu, satu kajian tahqiq terhadap Asbab al-Nuzul di dalam tafsir ini perlu dilakukan memandangkan riwayat-riwayat yang dikemukakan adalah data yang ditransformasi oleh penulis daripada hadith-hadith dan kitab-kitab tafsir yang lain yang tidak dijelaskan sumber pengambilan dan kedudukan serta tiada kritikan. Hasil kajian mendapati Muhammad Sa’id hanya merujuk dua kitab sahaja dalam menukilkan riwayat-riwayat Asbab al-Nuzul iaitu Tafsir al-Jalalayn dan al-Futuhat al-Ilahiyyah atau lebih dikenali dengan Hashiah al-Jamal. Kajian ini juga mendapati terdapat 172 riwayat-riwayat Asbab al-Nuzul, 68 daripadanya adalah sahih dan 104 adalah da’if. Selain itu, kajian ini juga telah mengesan terdapat riwayat-riwayat Asbab al-Nuzul yang sahih yang tidak selaras dengan ayat-ayat al-Qur’an dan tidak sesuai untuk dijadikan sebab turun bagi sesuatu ayat al-Qur’an. Implikasi daripada kajian mendapati riwayatriwayat Asbab al-Nuzul yang da’if memberi kesan terhadap kredibiliti tafsir ini sebagai rujukan utama bagi para pelajar dan masyarakat dan mengurangkan keautoritiannya untuk dijadikan rujukan terhadap riwayat-riwayat yang lain

Mapping of Potential Groundwater Using Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) at Low Land Area of Parit Raja Johor

Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) has emerged as an important technique in geophysical surveys for gaining more information and locating hidden water. This method was used at Parit Raja, Johor to investigate the location of underground water storage. Two-dimensional (2D) geoelectrical imaging has been used for this study. The imaging method was used at three different locations in the study area to identify potential aquifer and suitable locations for boreholes that would serve as observation wells. A Schlumberger array was set up during data acquisition since it can imagine deeper profile data and suitable for areas with a homogeneous layer. For 2D subsurface images, the raw data were processed with the RES2DINV software. According to the ERI results, this area was dominant with low resistivity values of less than 10 Ωm and potential shallow aquifer depths ranging from 10 to 30 m. Furthermore, the chargeability value obtained from Induced Polarization (IP) supported this point. According to the IP data, the chargeability at that point was between 0 and 1 ms, indicating the presence of a groundwater in the study area