Language classroom anxiety: a comparative study of ESL learners / Voviana Zulkifli

Malaysia decided use English as the medium of instruction at university level beginning 2002 and much debate has surfaced since then. English has also increased in importance in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) since the nation joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) and implemented an Open Door Policy. This study compares perceived second language anxiety and attempts to identify significant differences in the level of anxiety of male and female ESL university students at Stamford College, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia and from the PRC Malaysia. It also attempts to identify the factors that could contribute to language classroom anxiety. Although the study did not control for factors that may influence language apprehension, the results suggest that nearly half of the total number of respondents are anxious about learning the English language. The English Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (ELCAS) with 32 items was constructed and used for the purpose of the study which was adapted from the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) (Horwitz et al. 1986). Findings show that gender is of slight significance but nationality is an important variable in identifying the anxiety level with the various factors that may contribute to English language classroom anxiet

Production of reducing sugar in Solid State Fermentation (SSF) using aspergillus fumigatus / Musfirah Azmi

Production tones of wastes of oil palm frond from oil palm industries affects the environment. This study is about conversion process from wastes of oil palm frond fiber into usable form of biosugar in the solid state fermentation (SSF) through enzymatic reaction using Aspergillus fumigatus. There were two parameters investigated; first was the particle size of oil palm frond fiber and second was moisture content fiber towards the production of reducing sugar. The two particles size of OPF in this study were 100μm and 250μm and fermentation process was carried out for 10 days. The maximum reducing sugar was at 70% moisture level for 250μm of OPF at 24.780μmole. Statistical analysis showed both particle size of oil palm frond fiber, 100μm and 250μm had no significant different towards production of reducing sugar in SSF by Aspergillus fumigatus. However, the effect of moisture content fiber do affect the production of reducing sugar in Solid State Fermentation of Oil Palm Frond by Aspergillus fumigatus. Water fed strategy used had increase the moisture content in feeding media and significantly produced high yield of reducing sugar in SSF. Analysis by using two-way ANOVA suggested that presence of water fed has significant different towards production of reducing sugar in SSF and resulted in higher production of reducing sugar

Epstein-barr virus and its association with breast cancer / Prof Madya Dr Hjh Zuridah Hj Hassan and Dr Zeenathul Nazariah Allauddin

Epstein-barr virus (EBV) is widely distributed with 90-95% of adults are seropositive. This virus is spread by intimate contact between susceptible persons and asymptomatic shedders. EBV can be the causative agent of some B and T cell lymphomas, Hodgkin disease, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and also as one of the cofactor in the development of many types of carcinomas including breast cancer. The role of Epstein-barr virus (EBV) in breast cancer is not well documented and reports are very controversial. On the other hand, current belief holds that chromosomal deficiency and translocation, deletion, insertion and point mutation in the p53 tumor suppressor gene (p53 gene) which plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation and DNA repair can play a role. Abnormal cell proliferation is thought to be induced by p53 gene deficiency. In human carcinogenesis, p53 mutations are reported in esophageal carcinoma with documented changes in protein expression. There is also evidence that mechanisms other than point mutation may result in p53 protein accumulation and inactivation in a subset of breast cancer. Epidemiologic studies have implicated several lifestyle risk factors: tobacco exposure, alcohol consumption, diet, obesity in esophageal carcinoma. However, the clinical significance and potential applications of these observations in breast cancer remains unclear

The doctoral research abstracts. Vol:11 2017 / Institute of Graduate Studies, UiTM

Foreword: Congratulation to IGS on the continuous effort to publish the 11th issue of the Doctoral Research Abstracts which highlights the research in various disciplines from science and technology, business and administration to social science and humanities. This research abstract issue features the abstracts from 91 PhD doctorates who will receive their scrolls in this 86th UiTM momentous convocation ceremony. This is a special year for the Institute of Graduate Studies where we are celebrating our 20th anniversary. The 20th anniversary is celebrated with pride with an increase in the number of PhD graduates. In this 86th convocation, the number of PhD graduates has increased by 30% compared to the previous convocation. Each research produces an innovation and this year, 91 research innovations have been successfully recognized to have made contributions to the body of knowledge. This is in line with this year UiTM theme that is “Inovasi Melonjak Persaingan Global (Innovation Soars Global Competition)”. Embarking on PhD research may not have been an easy decision for many of you. It often comes at a point in life when the decision to further one’s studies is challenged by the comfort of status quo. I would like it to be known that you have most certainly done UiTM proud by journeying through the scholarly world with its endless challenges and obstacles, and by persevering right till the very end. Again, congratulations to all PhD graduates. As you leave the university as alumni we hope a new relationship will be fostered between you and UiTM to ensure UiTM soars to greater heights. I wish you all the best in your future endeavor. Keep UiTM close to your heart and be our ambassadors wherever you go. / Prof Emeritus Dato’ Dr Hassan Said Vice Chancellor Universiti Teknologi MAR

The development of House Rental Mobile Application for UiTM Jasin (JHORMAP) / Muhamad Helmi Jamil

House Rental Mobile Application for UiTM Jasin (JHORMAP) is an Android based mobile application that provides the service of advertising rental house for UiTM Jasin students. This is due to the problem student face in searching rental house. The target user for JHORMAP is admin, landlord and student. In order for landlord to advertise rental house, they need to be registered by NR unit also known as the admin. This is because to make sure that the landlord is filtered and check before able to advertise. After that, landlord can view, update or delete their profile on their own. When the advertisement has been posted, the student can browse through all available rental houses. For the admin, they can do everything that the landlord does. Basically they have the most access to the system. This system is necessary since it is the easiest way to obtain landlord data and monitor their advertisement. As for students, they can access the system as long they have their student ID and password. This is to restrict the user to just UiTM Jasin student and not to the public. This project utilized the use of one of SDLC model which is waterfall model. Even though there are five phases involve, the project can only cover three phases which are requirement gathering and analysis along with system design and implementation. As a result, prototype of JHORMAP including its documentation (SRS and SDD) is produced. This system is capable of great thing but since the time given is limited, nothing can be done much. But in the future, this project can be improved even more especially by widening its project scope

Cytological and molecular analysis of anti-tumour bioactivities of Urgines maritima (L.) baker aqueous extract on human malignant neuroblastoma with its neuroprotection ability / Maati Musbah Saleh Elghuol

This study was conducted with the hypothesis that the phytochemical closely related to Libyan medicinal herb, Urginea maritima (L.) Baker constituents within water-based extract would own appropriately powerful properties that contribute to intrinsic regulation specific antitumour activities in human malignant SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The purpose of the present study was to explore the characterisation and identification of the major phytochemical of the U. maritima aqueous extract. Additionally, the study also aimed to evaluate their effectiveness on the cellular and molecular mechanism associated with the main anti-tumour criteria. Through utilising several in-vitro techniques on both the experimental cell line models involving (2× 104 to 1× 106 cells/ml) with the quality of ≥ 90% viability of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and RA differentiated (neuronmodel) cells. Evaluation of the impact of the active extract ingredients was conducted based on morphological observation, biochemical, cellular function and gene expression profile, and the analysis was carried out for its estimation within different concentrations and durations. Neuroblastoma is a well-known extra-cranial solid tumour and one of the most deadly malignancies in childhood

In vitro management of ganoderma basal stem rot disease on oil palm with wild basidiomycetes fruiting in grass after rainfall / Nurnadia Natasha Zainal

Oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) are widely grown in tropical countries especially in Malaysia. The widespread of Basal Stem Rot disease that caused by the Ganoderma boninense had been the major problem as it hard to be eliminated and takes years to identify the symptoms. Therefore, the main objective of this studies were to identify wild mushroom species that can inhibit the Ganoderma sp. mycelial growth by isolation of fungi that grow in grass, spore and hyphae identification and determining the pathogenicity activity of isolated fungi against Ganoderma boninense by using the dual culture method. The fruiting body of Ganoderma sp. and different type of wild mushroom were collected and cultured in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). The mycelial, hyphae and spore structure of the wild mushroom culture were identified by observing the fungal staining under the microscope. All three wild mushrooms were named by Wild mushroom 1, 2 and 3 as the species name cannot be identified. A five mm diameter of agar disc was taken from each six day-old PDA culture of Ganoderma sp. and the wild mushroom 1, 2 and 3. The agar disc culture of Ganoderma sp. were placed 4 cm opposite site to each agar disc culture of wild mushroom in fresh potato dextrose agar (PDA) plate. All of the fungus was observed growing for six days to determine the growth inhibition of each wild mushrooms fungus against Ganoderma sp. fungus. The result showed that the wild mushroom 3 have the strong pathogenicity with higher percentage of mycelial growth inhibition against Ganoderma sp

Spatial organizations of urban mosques in Klang Valley, Malaysia: case studies / Zamnah Nusi

Klang Valley is the most populated region in Malaysia so the development of the urban mosques in the region has grown rapidly as to serve the Muslim communities and at the same time to reciprocate with the increase of the Muslim population in the region. Observations on the urban mosques in the city centres like Kuala Lumpur and its peripherals especially during the Friday congregations noted to be overflow every time. They are mostly multi-leveled structures due to the limited plot of the urbanism characteristics. To date there is no study recorded on the spatial organizations and activities of urban mosques in Malaysia. The research problems are to investigate whether such urban mosques spatial organizations are designed according to the guidelines from the Al Quran and Sunnahs; equipped with ancillary spaces for services and activities; which needs proper management of the utilization of the spaces and the maintenance of the buildings. The design of the spaces at the mosques is bounded by the spatial organization which needs to be observed by the managements and the designers of the mosques. At the same time, the local communities’ religious and social needs are to be addressed accordingly in order to build better Muslim communities

Phytochemicals from Malaysian Uncaria longiflora var. pteropoda (Miq.) ridsd. and their activities against the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line / Fatimah Salim

Phytochemical investigation on the methanolic extract of the stems and leaves of Malaysian Uncaria longiflora var. pteropoda (Miq.) Ridsd. was carried out with the aim of isolating and identifying their chemical constituents. The extract of the stems was subjected to acid-base extraction, while the leaf extract was successively triturated with hexane, CHCl3, EtOAc and MeOH. The crude extracts were then further fractionated and purified using extensive chromatographic techniques. Structural elucidation of the phytochemicals was based on spectroscopic evidence and comparison with literature values. The absolute configurations of the new chiral compounds were established by comparing the CEs of the experimental ECD spectra to the simulated ECD values, as well as to the ECD spectra of the known related chiral compounds in hand. A total of thirtytwo phytochemicals were isolated of which six are new and nine are common to the leaves and stems. Phytochemicals isolated from the stem extract include two new pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids (POAs) deduced as rauniticine-allo-oxindole B ULS1 and rauniticinicallo acid B ULS2, five known POAs (isopteropodine ULS3, pteropodine ULS4, isopteropodic acid ULS5, uncarine F ULS6 and speciophylline ULS7), two coumarins (scopoletin ULS8 and 4-hydroxy-3,7- dimethoxycoumarin ULS10), one phenyl compound (4-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester ULS9) and three terpenes (stigmasterol ULS11, β-sitosterol ULS12 and β-sitostenone ULS13). Phytochemistry on the leaf extract successfully afforded three new alkaloids named as 2-oxosecologanine ULL5, isoformosaninol ULL6 and formosaninol ULL7, one new flavonoid deduced as uncariechin ULL14, four known POAs (isopteropodine ULL1, pteropodine ULL2, uncarine F ULL3 and isopteropodic acid ULL4), two flavonoids [(-)-epi-afzalechin ULL12 and (-)-epicatechin ULL13], two coumarins (scopoletin ULL8 and 3,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxycoumarin ULL11), two phenyl compounds (4-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester ULL9 and 4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde ULL10) and five terpenes (β-tocopherol ULL15, 6,10,14-trimethyl- 2-pentadecanone ULL16, stigmasterol ULL17, β-sitosterol ULL18 and β-sitostenone ULL19). Seven phytochemicals of sufficient quantities, comprising five alkaloids (isopteropodine, pteropodine, isopteropodic acid, uncarine F and rauniticine-allo-oxindole B) and two flavonoids [(-)-epi-afzalechin and (-)-epi-catechin] were further tested for their cytotoxic, neurotoxic, as well as neuroprotective activities against human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. The alkaloid uncarine F was found to be both cytotoxic and neurotoxic against the cancer and normal human neuroblastoma SHSY5Y cell lines, while the alkaloid pteropodine was found to be neurotoxic, both at a high concentrations. As antioxidants, the flavan-3-ols, (-)-Epi-afzalechin and (-)-epi-catechin possessed neuroprotective properties against the H2O2-induced toxicity on normal cell line with cell viabilities ranging from 75-88% compared to 50- 60% cell viability following treatment with H2O2 alone. The alkaloids isopteropodine and isopteropodic acid, and the new alkaloid rauniticine-allo-oxindole B also consistently showed even higher protective properties with cell viabilities of 83-96%, thus suggesting their potential as an anti-neurodegenerative agent. With respect to the cytotoxic, neurotoxic and neuroprotective activities of the pure compounds tested, it may be suggested that the toxic properties of both the stem and leaf extracts of the plant at the maximum concentration against the cancer and normal human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell lines may be due to the alkaloid uncarine F, and not the synergistic effect among the constituents

Proposed new interior design scheme of Zoo Taiping Education Centre at Jalan Taman Tasik Taiping, 34000 Taiping, Perak Darul Ridzuan / Farah Amalina Jamal

The final project for the student of diploma in interior design is a manifestation towards the student’s knowledge about the whole aspect on interior design that had been learnt from basic to the final presentation on the proposed design.The project that had been chosen for the final project is to proposed a new interior design of ZOO TAIPING EDUCATION CENTER FOR ZOO TAIPING at Jalan Taman Tasik Taiping, 34000,Taiping,Perak Darul Ridzuan. This proposed education center is to attract users,mostly on kids to experience themselves at this education center,at the same time to aims to spread knowledge on animal behaviour, animal handling and on public safety in regards to animal encounters. The target market for the users of this education center is kids from 6 to 12 years old. It is also a place where students can conduct their research projects for their certificate, diploma .degree,masters,PHD from different area of interests.every spaces that proposes would match with the customer’s need and it could give comfort to them while attending this education center. Concept and image that had been chosen must be suitable with the clients as both of it will reflect the client itself,but at the same time,it would give a positive impact and to increase the faith in the customers and the workers in the zoo taiping education center. Connected to that,the chosen design style for zoo taiping education center is based on modern and fun design,goes all the way with the client’s needs as they want the education center to have the fun look and at the same time would attract the customer with different image that they would only get in zoo taiping education center. Before get a desired design that is suitable with the client’s needs,some data analysis should be done where these analysis is on types of services offered, spaces to be concluded in the proposed area .operation time and informations about other education center that used the same system in management,as the proposed education center.some of the gained information of the study is through interviews, printed media, internet, observation,and through the result from the case study either locally or internationally