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Microalgae pigments: sustainable solutions for a greener future
No full textMicroalgae pigments are extensively used in various industries such as the food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, aquaculture, and cosmetics industries. They have also been applied in clinical and research settings, where they function well as labels for receptors and antibodies. One of the most prominent characteristics of algae is their colour, which is
determined by their pigments. These pigments are colourful chemical substances that are part of the photosynthetic system of microalgae. Due to their numerous potential industrial uses and health-promoting qualities, natural pigments derived from microalgae have been the subject of numerous studies. As consumers become more conscious of
the link between nutrition, health, and illness prevention, microalgae represent a significant and exciting new field in biotechnology. The market is currently in high demand for microalgal pigments as naturally occurring, renewable colour enhancers for foods and feeds that also have health benefits. Moreover, these pigments, which exhibit remarkable dyeing properties even at extremely low concentrations (parts per
million), find significant uses in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries respectively as biochemical tracers in immune assays and as fluorescence-based indicators in skin creams that promote collagen synthesis. Natural pigments derived from microalgae not only provide colour, but they also have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and
antioxidant properties that make them a good substitute for artificial colorants. Therefore, the futures of all the microalgae and pigments derived from them that have been discussed are promising. Microalgae have been recognized by science as a natural source of nutraceuticals and colorants, and their potential has already been demonstrated in several
industrial applications. Although there are still some issues to be resolved, the pigments derived from microalgae are likely to surpass synthetic forms due to their renewable and sustainable nature, as well as their additional health benefits
Discovery phase of serum proteomic analysis in post-COVID-19 syndrome patients using two-dimensional electrophoresis
No full textObjective Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (PCS) significantly, adversely affects the quality of life of persons who continue to have symptoms following an initial COVID-19 infection. Hence, the identification of reliable biomarkers for PCS is crucial for understanding its pathophysiology, aiding in diagnosis, prognosis, and devising therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to compare the serum proteomic profiles between PCS and non-PCS (NPCS) patients to identify potential protein biomarkers that could distinguish these two groups. Materials and methods PCS patients were recruited at the post-COVID-19 clinic and confirmed diagnosis by a physician, with prolonged symptoms beyond three months post- infection. While non-PCS patients were individuals who had fully recovered from an acute COVID-19 infection. Proteins from pooled serum of six PCS patients and ten NPCS participants, matched for age, gender, and race were isolated and separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). PD Quest software was used for analysis, and protein expression with more than a twofold and significant difference were recognised. Subsequently, proteins of interest were identified using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Time of Flight (MALDITOF) Mass Spectrometry. Results and discussion All subjects were Malay females with a mean age of 38 ± 9.7 for the PCS group and 40 ± 11.1 for the NPCS. The most common clinical symptoms were persistent cough, dysponea, and fatigue. There were 182 protein spots expressed in serum PCS patients in a range of pH 4 to 7. Two proteins, Haptoglobin and T-cell surface glycoprotein CD8 alpha chain, were found to be significantly overexpressed, while two proteins, namely Vitamin D-binding protein and Immunoglobulin heavy constant alpha 1, were underexpressed in PCS patients when compared to NPCS subjects. Conclusion This discovery phase of proteomic analysis revealed several candidate proteins that are predominantly involved in inflammation and immune response in PCS. These proteins require additional examination during the verification phase to assess their capability in identifying COVID-19 individuals at an elevated risk of developing PCS. (309 words
Community’s pride of Belanja Sedap Mart
No full textThis case explores the entrepreneurial journey of Jamil, a former army staff sergeant, who transforms a modest neighbourhood minimarket into a community anchor that supports local food security. Jamil leverages his military values of discipline, perseverance, and service to overcome financial hardship, narrow margins, and evolving retail competition by diversifying into side businesses and adapting to changing consumer trends. His story highlights leadership through humility, innovation in micro-business operations, and profound community engagement. The case offers rich insights for understanding veteran entrepreneurship, small businesses' resilience, and the social role of neighbourhood stores in sustaining community well-bein
Dismissal of Hakim from Al-Ikhlas Development Foundation
No full textThis teaching case examines the ethical downfall and industrial relations implications surrounding Mr. Hakim Rahman, a senior officer at Al-Ikhlas Development Foundation (AIDF), a semi-governmental organisation dedicated to community empowerment. Rising from poverty through perseverance and education, Hakim became a symbol of integrity and social commitment. However, allegations of abuse of power, financial irregularities, and sexual harassment led to a Domestic Inquiry (DI), termination, and subsequent litigation at the Industrial Court of Malaysia. The case explores critical issues of managerial power, workplace misconduct, natural justice, procedural fairness, and accountability. It highlights how personal character erosion, unchecked authority, and ethical lapses can undermine organisational trust and legitimacy. Through the lens of industrial relations and ethics, the case invites students to evaluate due process, evidentiary standards, and leadership responsibility in safeguarding dignity and justice in the workplace
Advanced strategies of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth as antioxidants and α-glucosidase inhibitors using metabolomic and marker-based approaches
No full textOrthosiphon stamineus Benth (O. stamineus) is a widely recognized medicinal plant traditionally used to manage various ailments, notably diabetes. Its therapeutic potential is primarily attributed to key bioactive compounds, namely sinensetin, rosmarinic acid (RA), and 3′-hydroxy-5,6,7,4′-tetramethoxyflavone (TMF) which exhibit potent antioxidant properties and effectively inhibit α-glucosidase enzymes, a mechanism crucial for regulating postprandial blood glucose levels. In the modern era, the identification of chemical compounds in medicinal herbs has been revolutionized by advanced analytical techniques combined with statistical tools, forming what is known as a metabolomic approach. Metabolomics is a powerful analytical approach that investigates the metabolome, the complete set of small-molecule metabolites (typically <1 kDa) involved in biological processes. This technique provides critical insights into biochemical activities and physiological responses. As a member of the omics sciences, metabolomics emerged after genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, offering a complementary layer of information that reflects the dynamic state of cellular metabolism. It offers numerous advantages, including enhanced quality control, biomarker identification, and support for therapeutic decisionmaking. In this study, we have employed the metabolomic approach to identify chemical compounds in O. stamineus, with a particular focus on antioxidants and α-glucosidase inhibitors. Current research highlights caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, and chlorogenic acids as potential quality markers for standardizing O. stamineus extract quality. Furthermore, spectroscopy and chromatography-based metabolomic approaches provide robust platforms for ensuring the consistency, efficacy, and safety of this herbal preparation
Projects towards climate action: Case of BRICS
No full textThis chapter explores BRICS nations’ financial cooperation, focusing on climate action projects that promote economic resilience, sustainable growth, and social impact. Central to these efforts are the New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, which enhance economic stability and support climate-centric initiatives. The study further explains how BRICS, especially with its expansion to BRICS Plus, is positioning itself to influence global trade and finance through investments in green technologies, reducing reliance on Western financial systems. Emphasis is placed on how these efforts align with sustainable development and the economic inclusion of the Global South
Enhancing optical absorption and efficiency of perovskite solar cells using embedded ag nanoparticles array and ITO moth-eye anti-reflective layers
No full textOptical loss is a significant factor that limits the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Light-trapping structures and metal plasmons have been found to enhance light absorption in PSCs, thus improving PCE. In this study, two different types of CH3NH3PbI3 PSCs, incorporating an array of ellipsoidal Ag nanoparticles (NPs) within the active layer and an ITO moth-eye grating on the top surface, were designed. The impact of variations in the shape and position the Ag NPs, as well as the inclusion of the ITO moth-eye grating, on light absorption, was thoroughly investigated. The maximum photocurrent density and PCE reach 25.89 mA/cm2, 23.77% which is 1.24 times larger than that of the planar reference. The combination of embedded Ag NPs and the ITO antireflection layer causes this synergistic effect. These findings have the potential to design and prepare high-efficiency PSC
Exploring technology self-efficacy challenges in teaching Arabic during COVID-19
Full text linkIt is not easy for higher education lecturers to deliver lessons during COVID-19. They face numerous challenges in teaching during the pandemic. This study explores the challenges on technology self-efficacy facing by the higher education (HE) in teaching Arabic based on Bandura’s four main sources of self-efficacy. It has been done by reviewing the related literatus to their performance in teaching Arabic. The results showed the challenges related to technology self-efficacy faced by these lecturers include limited knowledge and insufficient training in online instruction, reduced motivation influenced by various external and internal pressures, increased stress from balancing professional teaching responsibilities with household obligations, and concerns regarding students’ acceptance and engagement with online learning. These challenges are categorized according to Bandura’s sources of self-efficacy: mastery experience, vicarious experience, social persuasion, and physiological and emotional state
Securing IoT networks using machine learning-resistant physical unclonable functions (PUFs) on edge devices
Full text linkThe Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed global connectivity by linking people, smart devices, and data. However, as the number of connected devices continues to grow, ensuring secure data transmission and communication has become increasingly challenging. IoT security threats arise at the device level due to limited computing resources, mobility, and the large diversity of devices, as well as at the network level, where the use of varied protocols by different vendors introduces further vulnerabilities. Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) provide a lightweight, hardware-based security primitive that exploits inherent device-specific variations to ensure uniqueness, unpredictability, and enhanced protection of data and user privacy. Additionally, modeling attacks against PUF architectures is challenging due to the random and unpredictable physical variations inherent in their design, making it nearly impossible for attackers to accurately replicate their unique responses. This study collected approximately 80,000 Challenge Response Pairs (CRPs) from a Ring Oscillator (RO) PUF design to evaluate its resilience against modeling attacks. The predictive performance of five machine learning algorithms, i.e., Support Vector Machines, Logistic Regression, Artificial Neural Networks with a Multilayer Perceptron, K-Nearest Neighbors, and Gradient Boosting, was analyzed, and the results showed an average accuracy of approximately 60%, demonstrating the strong resistance of the RO PUF to these attacks. The NIST statistical test suite was applied to the CRP data of the RO PUF to evaluate its randomness quality. The p-values from the 15 statistical tests confirm that the CRP data exhibit true randomness, with most values exceeding the 0.01 threshold and supporting the null hypothesis of randomnes
Environmental Waqf for climate action in the light of Maqasid al-‘Imran: (Hifz al-‘Imran or Hifz al-Bi’ah)
Full text linkEnvironmental degradation has become one of the most pressing global challenges, impacting the entire planet. One of the potential solutions is Waqf, which can contribute significantly to environmental sustainability, including forest restoration and renewable energy development. Hence, this study aims to explore the role of environmental Waqf in addressing climate change, with a focus on the Hifz al-‘Imran (protection of the environment), and to highlight its potential to contribute to effective climate action. The study concludes that Hifz al-‘Imran can provide a strong conceptual foundation for aligning environmental conservation and climate action with the higher objectives of Islamic law