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Integrative Multi-Omics and Environmental Analysis: Linking Transcriptomics, Soil Chemistry, and Microbial Communities to Trunking Performance in Sago Palm (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.)
No full textThe substantial starch yield produced in the pith of Metroxylon sagu Rottb. palm has established it as a key staple crop in Malaysia and Indonesia. Thriving in marginal peatlands with minimal maintenance, sago palm holds promise as a sustainable supplement to other starch-producing crops. However, the occurrence of non-trunking (dwarf, trunkless) palms in plantations create instability in sago starch production. While research largely focused on non-trunking palms, trunking sago palms remain understudied, particularly in relation to the peat soils they inhabit. This thesis addresses these gaps by integrating transcriptomic, peat soil physicochemical and microbial perspectives to elucidate the mechanisms underpinning trunk formation of sago palm. Leaf RNA-seq generated a total of 85.61 Gb clean data, identifying 6,119 differentially expressed genes. Functional characterisation revealed coordinated molecular mechanism that supports persistent growth and trunk development. Functional enrichment of the upregulated genes were linked to stress response and genome stability pathways, including protective chaperone activity (CSP1), protein homeostasis (ATL5), DNA repair (Zip4), and chromatin organisation (RanBP2-type zinc finger proteins). The upregulation of PHO1 mediated phosphate uptake and ABA-responsive stomatal regulation to ensure continuous assimilate synthesis and resilience under heat stress, while AGO10 safeguarded transcriptional balance Sequestration of excess phosphate by vacuole complemented this buffering system thus maintaining osmotic stability. Conversely, the downregulated lignin and flavonoid biosynthesis redirected resources toward vascular initiation, meristem activity, and carbohydrate accumulation while maintaining vertical growth. Soil analysis showed acidic and low carbon content properties, with trunking sago palms benefitting from slightly lower nutrient concentrations that minimised ionic antagonism at roots for uptake. In contrast, ionic disequilibrium at non-trunking sago palm soils impaired photosynthesis efficiency and nutrient turnover. Microbial profiling revealed higher levels of Desulfobacterota and Nitrospirota (Thermodesulfovibrio) in trunking sago palm soils contributes to enhanced nitrogen and sulphur cycling and reduced heavy metal stress, while fungal communities across all soil samples was dominated by taxa such as Ascomycota and Basidiomycota Together, these findings suggest trunking palms exhibit better environmental adaptation, mediated by synergistic regulation of macronutrient availability and hormone signalling that fine-tunes sago palm growth trajectories. Through this integrated molecular and soil studies, the work provides an insight underpinning plant developmental plasticity and provides understanding for sustainable sago cultivation and food security in tropical peatland ecosystems
The impact of intellectual capital on the financial performance of listed companies in Indonesia Stock Exchange
No full textThe Indonesian capital market has shown significant sectoral shifts between 2021 and 2023, with financial firms remaining dominant, while infrastructure and consumer sectors have grown, and industrial and technology sectors have declined. These changes highlight that tangible assets alone cannot explain corporate performance, emphasizing the growing importance of intangible assets, particularly intellectual capital (IC), as a key driver of competitiveness and firm value in emerging economies. This study examines the impact of IC on the financial performance of firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2016 to 2022, analyzing how the four IC components: physical, financial, human, and structural capital affect return on assets and market value. Using panel data from 125 manufacturing firms across three sub-sectors, the study employed pooled, fixed effects, and random effects models, with statistical tests confirming that the fixed effects model best captured firm performance, while the random effects model was more suitable for market value. The findings reveal that IC significantly influences firm outcomes, with human capital having the strongest impact on financial performance, followed by financial capital, while physical and structural capital are less significant. Effective management of these resources enhances operational performance, transparency, and investor confidence, supporting Indonesia’s innovation-based growth. The study underscores the strategic role of intellectual capital as a foundation for sustainable, knowledge driven development through collaboration between academia, industry, and government, while suggesting that future research should include broader data and qualitative perspectives for a deeper understanding of IC’s long term impact
Ethnomedicinal and Ethnopharmacology Value of Plants Used by Kenyah in Borneo: A Review
No full textNumerous societies across the globe rely on medicinal plants as a primary therapeutic resource. These plants have a long history of use in traditional medicine among several indigenous communities in Borneo. Among these communities is the Kenyah, who have an extensive heritage of relying on plants for medicinal purposes. The purpose of this review is to examine and compile the ethnomedicinal utilisation of plants by the Kenyah people of Borneo. This review included and documented different plants used by the locals of
Borneo particularly Kenyah of Kalimantan and Sarawak for various medicinal purposes. The plants are grouped into family name, scientific name, and local name. Tabulation of each plant's specific treatment remedy after the method of administration, which may involve crushing and drinking an infusion, applying a poultice externally, grinding the plant into a paste, or inhaling smoke were done. The documentation
identified 61 plant families, and several traditional treatment groups. Selected plants are scrutinized for
their existing data on traditional usage to determine further potential and research gaps for research of the
plants relating with the Kenyah ethnomedicinal knowledge
Multidimensional Poverty Index in Sarawak
No full textThis study examines multidimensional poverty in Sarawak using the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) framework, which captures deprivations in health, education, and living standards beyond traditional income-based measures. Drawing on primary survey data from 386 respondents, the Alkire-Foster dual cut-off methodology was applied to identify the extent and intensity of poverty across households. The findings indicate that 90 percent of respondents were classified as non-poor, while 4.4 percent were near poor, 2.6 percent poor, and 2.1 percent severely poor. Deprivations were most pronounced in housing quality, access to healthcare, and nutrition, whereas indicators such as school enrolment and sanitation reflected near-universal access. These results suggest that while Sarawak has made substantial progress in reducing poverty, structural vulnerabilities persist among specific groups. The study underscores the importance of adopting a multidimensional perspective in poverty alleviation policies and highlights the need for targeted interventions to address overlapping deprivations, thereby supporting Malaysia’s broader aspirations under the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals
Distribution of Size-Fractionated Chlorophyll a and Picocyanobacteria in Coastal Waters of Northwest and Southeast Peninsular Malaysia
No full textSampling was at two coastal sites in Peninsular Malaysia; Yan (along Straits of Malacca during Northeast and intermonsoon) and Kuala Rompin (KR, facing the South China Sea during Southwest monsoon). Despite temporal offsets in
sampling, distinct spatial patterns of nutrients and picocyanobacteria were observed. Nutrient variability at Yan was influenced by freshwater discharge, and there was a predominance of NH4 (51 ± 25% of dissolved inorganic nitrogen). At KR, conditions were more stable and less eutrophic, and NO2 + NO3 predominated (53 ± 25% of dissolved inorganic nitrogen). Although the > 20 μm Chl a fraction was predominant, only Prochlorococcus (from 70 to 1.2 × 104 cells mL–1) correlated with the < 2 μm Chl a fraction at Yan (R2 = 0.221, p < 0.01) whereas at KR, only Synechococcus (from 100 to 8.5 × 104 cells mL–1) correlated with the < 2 μm Chl a fraction (R2 = 0.135, p < 0.05). Redundancy Analysis (RDA) revealed that Synechococcus was associated with higher salinity and lower temperature, DO, PO₄ and NO₂+NO₃ while Prochlorococcus occupied a distinct niche along a separate RDA axis. This baseline study is a novel investigation into picocyanobacterial dynamics for Malaysia, and reveals their niche differentiation in tropical coastal systems
Strengthening Bidayuh Women Entrepreneurs in Kampung Singai, Sarawak Through the 3D-Impak Model for Rural Transformation
No full textRural micro-entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in advancing socio-economic development, yet it remains fragmented and vulnerable, particularly among women in Indigenous communities. In Malaysia, policy frameworks such as the MADANI Economy and the MyDIGITAL Blueprint 2021–2030
emphasize inclusive entrepreneurship and the pledge to “leave no one behind.” However, the realities on the ground reveal that Bidayuh women entrepreneurs in Kampung Singai continue to face significant challenges, including digital exclusion, weak branding capacity, restricted market access, and limited support networks. These structural barriers prevent them from fully engaging with national agendas and leveraging opportunities in the digital economy. This article introduces the 3D-IMPAK Model, a community-driven framework designed to strengthen Bidayuh women entrepreneurs by integrating Digital Transformation, Indigenous Empowerment, and Social Enterprise. The model reframes rural entrepreneurship as a pathway not only for economic growth but also for cultural resilience, digital inclusion, and women’s collective agency. By promoting digital literacy, advancing indigenous branding, and fostering peer-based cooperative networks, the 3D-IMPAK approach addresses systemic gaps that hinder women’s participation and competitiveness. Aligned with Malaysia’s national strategies and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this framework highlights the transformative potential of empowering Indigenous women entrepreneurs as catalysts for rural development. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that strengthening Bidayuh women entrepreneurs through the 3D IMPAK Model contributes to building resilience, enhancing market competitiveness, and preserving dignity in the digital era, offering a replicable approach for inclusive and sustainable rural transformation
Age-related disparities in heart failure: insights into clinical profiles, treatment gaps, and outcomes from a multi-center and multi-ethnic study
No full textBackground: Heart failure (HF) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Differences in clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes between elderly and
younger patients remain underexplored.
Purpose: To evaluate disparities in demographics, comorbidities, prescription of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), and clinical outcomes in elderly versus
younger HFrEF patients.
Methods: A retrospective, multi-center cohort study analyzed 578 HF patients who attend dedicated HF clinics in ten hospitals between January 1, 2021, and June
30, 2023, categorized into elderly (≥65 years, n=176) and younger (<65 years, n=402) groups. Data included demographics, comorbidities, EF, New York Heart
Association (NYHA) functional class, GDMT prescription at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, and clinical outcomes, including hospitalizations and mortality.
Results: Elderly HF patients demonstrated notable differences compared to younger patients in several demographic, clinical, and outcome measures. They
had a higher proportion of females (34.7% vs. 19.2%, p<0.001) and exhibited a greater prevalence of comorbidities, including hypertension (76.6% vs.
63.9%, p=0.003), diabetes (47.4% vs. 36.8%, p=0.017), dyslipidemia (63.6% vs. 48.3%, p<0.001), atrial fibrillation (36.2% vs. 17.5%, p<0.001), chronic kidney disease (41.9% vs. 21.2%, p<0.001), and anemia (39.4% vs. 22%, p<0.001).
Regarding cardiac function, elderly patients had a higher proportion of EF > 40% (16.1% vs. 9.8%, p=0.007), with 6.9% having EF 41-49% and 9.2% EF ≥ 50%, compared to 6.8% and 3%, respectively, in younger patients. Baseline EF was
significantly lower in younger patients (32.4±12.4% vs. 28.1±9.9%, p=0.041), though both groups showed comparable improvements over six months. In terms of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), elderly patients achieving lower
RAAS inhibitor prescriptions at three months (81% vs. 88.1%, p=0.034). Elderly patients had fewer 3-pillars and 4-pillars GDMT than younger patients at three months (74.5% vs. 84.0%, p=0.044) and 6 months (75.1% vs. 86.0%, p=0.005).
Outcomes revealed that elderly patients had higher six-month mortality rates (12.7% vs. 5.9%, p=0.007), although heart failure hospitalization rates were similar between the groups (6.2% vs. 9.1%, p=0.219).
Conclusion: Elderly HF patients face greater challenges in managing comorbidities and achieving optimal GDMT prescription, contributing to higher mortality rates.
Tailored interventions are needed to improve outcomes in this high-risk population
Guideline-directed medical therapy optimization among multi-ethnic groups of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction patients
No full textBackground: Despite established guidelines, there is still substantial gap in guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) prescription among heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) population. The implementation of heart failure (HF) clinic could be a strategy to improve GDMT optimization.
Objective: This study investigated the usage of GDMT and clinical outcomes of HFrEF patients in HF clinic.
Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study that reported HFrEF patients followed up at HF clinic in ten hospitals, inclusive of one cardiology centre and nine
hospitals without cardiology service, from January 2021 until June 2023. GDMT utilization at 6-month post HF clinic recruitment was analyzed.
Results: A total of 416 patients (78.1% male, mean age 55.6 (13.5 years) were reported. Majority of the population was local indigenous population (46.1%), followed by Malay (29.5%) and Chinese (23.8%). At baseline, there were 65.9%
patients on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers, 76.2% on beta blockers, 62.7% on mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and 18.3% on sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Patients on three or four GDMT pillars were 41.3% and 10.9% respectively. At 6-month, GDMT prescriptions increased across all pillars, 89.2% RAAS blockers, 93.0% beta blockers, 86.3%
MRAs and 57.0% SGLT2 inhibitors. The number of patients treated with at least three GDMT pillars also increased, with 37.6% on three and 45.6% on four pillars. The
mean ejection fraction had been shown to improve from 27.7% (7.86%) at baseline to 38.4% (13.5%) at 6-month. The 6-month all-cause mortality and HF emergency visit or hospitalization were 8.5% and 7.2% respectively.
Conclusion: This study concluded that HF Clinic improved GDMT prescriptions, which was associated with improvement in ejection fraction among HFrEF patients
Penterjemahan Ulasan Berita Sukan Bahasa Tamil ke dalam Bahasa Melayu dalam Akhbar ‘Makkal Osai’ berdasarkan Teori Dinamik
No full textTranslation is very beneficial in human life in line with the rapid development of the
world of science, technology, and education. The results of the progress enjoyed now
stem from the results of human communication. This communication occurs in various
languages spoken by humans. The development of knowledge is successful when
humans can understand communication with each other. Therefore, this study was
conducted to explore the effectiveness of translating Malay source texts into Tamil
target texts. The researcher has identified Tamil sports terms in the source text. The data
in this study were analyzed and described descriptively using the guidelines of Nida's
Translation Theory (1969). Six (6) important aspects of Nida's Translation Theory
(1969) were used to analyze the translated texts. This study used a qualitative research
design involving one hundred (100) original texts of Tamil sports news reviews. All the
original texts were published on the 'Makkal Osai' website from August to December
2024, especially the second and third weeks. Overall, the study findings showed that all
translated texts were dynamic to obtain accurate translations. Furthermore, the results
of the study also show that translators face difficulties in translating sentences. Based
on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that most texts can be translated
accurately. The findings of the study prove that translation cannot be done arbitrarily.
It must go through several methods that have been pioneered by translators. The use of
accurate translation methods can produce a solid and quality translation tex
KEBUDAYAAN ORANG LENGILO DI BA’KELALAN, SARAWAK: ANALISIS CERITA DAN LAGENDA SERTA PERSEPSI TERHADAP PENGLIBATAN TEKNOLOGI DALAM USAHA PENYEBARANNY
No full textThis study explores the cultural narratives of the Lengilo people in Ba’Kelalan, Sarawak, focusing
on their legends and the perception of technology in disseminating their oral traditions. The
Lengilo, a lesser-known indigenous community, possess rich folklore that is at risk of disappearing
due to modernization, migration, and shifts in religious beliefs. Using a qualitative approach, data
were collected through semi-structured interviews with nine informants, comprising elderly
storytellers and cultural custodians. The thematic analysis identifies key themes in Lengilo
legends, including supernatural beliefs, symbolic interpretations of nature, and changes in oral
storytelling traditions. The study also examines attitudes toward digital media, revealing both
support for using technology to preserve narratives and concerns about losing traditional rituals in
modern adaptations. Findings suggest that visual storytelling, particularly animation, holds
potential in bridging generational gaps and enhancing cultural continuity. Thisresearch contributes
to ethnolinguistic documentation and offers insights into sustainable approaches for preserving
intangible cultural heritage through technolog