Malaysian Journal of Applied Sciences (Journal of UniSZA - Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin)
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Patients’ Waiting Time in a University Health Clinic
Full text linkBest practice management of a clinic can be measured through the achievement of appropriate waiting time and consultation time. These are important, especially in dealing with stable common cases seen in primary care. Among important associated factors include the number of patients per day, which can be various according to different operating days. Methods: This study aims to measure the waiting time and consultation time of common cases seen in the university health clinic for two weeks duration. The ‘time in’ and ‘time out’ information was captured on the information sheet attached to the patient’s registration slip. A descriptive analysis was done for common complaints, waiting time and consultation time duration. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to identify the association between different working days with waiting time and consultation time. Results: The results revealed a good mean waiting time 11.93 min (SD, 9.99) and consultation time 10.54 minutes (SD, 8.78) for the clinic. Waiting time is significantly associated with different operating days (P value < 0.05). Conclusion: The clinic’s waiting and consultation time is acceptable according to the target set by the Ministry of Health. However, further modification can be done to improve the time management of the clinic, specifically for the busy day
A Gender Recognition System Using Facial Images with High Dimensional Data
Full text linkGender recognition has been seen as an interesting research area that plays important roles in many fields of study. Studies from MIT and Microsoft clearly showed that the female gender was poorly recognized especially among dark-skinned nationals. The focus of this paper is to present a technique that categorise gender among dark-skinned people. The classification was done using SVM on sets of images gathered locally and publicly. Analysis includes; face detection using Viola-Jones algorithm, extraction of Histogram of Oriented Gradient and Rotation Invariant LBP (RILBP) features and trained with SVM classifier. PCA was performed on both the HOG and RILBP descriptors to extract high dimensional features. Various success rates were recorded, however, PCA on RILBP performed best with an accuracy of 99.6% and 99.8% respectively on the public and local datasets. This system will be of immense benefit in application areas like social interaction and targeted advertisement
A Brief Overview of the Integrated Fish Farming of Three Commercially Popular Fish Species (Snakehead, Tilapia and Catfish) in Malaysia
Full text linkAquaculture industry in Malaysia involves culture of many fish species of either fresh or brackish water origin and among the important fish species are Snakehead, Tilapia and Catfish. There is a substantial culture of these fish in Malaysia nowadays, though there are not one hundred percent native fish species but their presence in Malaysia is getting closer to over several decades and for almost a decade now, these species had been among the highest finfish produced in either fresh or brackish waters. As the global aquaculture production continue growing in order to meet up with ever increasing fish demand, especially as fish from capture has levelled off and makes an increase in aquaculture production as the only hope to meet the demand for fish, one of suggested ways in culturing them is by venturing into integrated fish farming. Integrated fish farming of different species is a practice which links together two or more normally separate farming systems, whereby the fish from different species become subsystems of a whole farming system. Although integrated fish farming may not be huge globally based on the available official statistical data but it is becoming important industry in Malaysia and neighboring countries. This review discussed briefly about the integrated fish farming of three commercially popular species (Snakehead, Tilapia and Catfish) in Malaysia and neighboring countries
Application of Steam Enhanced Extraction Method on BTEX Contaminated Soil in A Nigerian Petroleum Depot and Automobile Workshop Sites in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria
Full text linkThe contamination of soil in the environment is a natural consequence of industrialization and urbanization. Organic chemical pollutants dissolve into groundwater, absorb and adsorb into soil grains. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are major causes of contaminated soil. This is due to fuel leakages or spillages, various forms of hydrocarbon burning/combustion and land disposal petroleum base oil. Contaminated soil samples were excavated from two different locations within the Ilorin metropolis; pipelines and products marketing company, a Nigerian petroleum depot, Ilorin depot and auto mechanic workshop of over ten years. Steam enhanced extraction method was employed through injection of steam to contaminated soil from steam generator into soil pot where contaminated soil was placed. The condensation of steam on soil particles provides energy to release desorbed contaminants molecules from the soil and the mobilized contaminants vapor was transferred into the recovery pot via the pipe that was connected to the soil pot. After the remediation process, the steamed soil samples were taken to the laboratory where the sonication extraction technique was used to extract the contaminants (BTEX) from the steamed soil samples of 30, 60 and 90 minutes respectively. The extract from the steamed soil samples of 30, 60 and 90 minutes was subjected to Gas Chromatography fitted with flame ionization detector analysis to determine the exact amount of BTEX removed after the remediation process. Pre-treated soil sample of auto mechanics workshop was found to be 4.5004 x 10-1 mg/kg and post-treated soil samples were found to be 1.8164 x10-1 mg/kg, 8.7519 x10-1 mg/kg and 5.7006 x10-2 mg/kg for 30, 60 and 90 minutes respectively after remediation process while Pre-treated soil sample of a Nigerian petroleum depot was found to be 6.6049 x 10-1 mg/kg and post-treated soil samples were found to be 2.9320 x10-1 mg/kg, 1.9855 x10-1 mg/kg and 1.0237 x10-1 mg/kg for 30, 60 and 90 minutes respectively after the remediation process. This study established the effectiveness of the remediation process of hydrocarbon contaminated soil using steam enhanced extraction method an In situ remediation technique
Ambient Air Measurement of Benzene, Toluene and Xylene Within a Nigerian Petroleum Products Depot and Its Host Environment Using Carbon Adsorption and GC-FID Techniques
Full text linkHealth effects of benzene, toluene and xylene emissions from a Nigerian Petroleum Products depot make stringent adherence to maximum allowable concentration very important. The storage facilities and distribution network and other installations of petroleum products depot are significant sources of benzene, toluene and xylene therefore ambient air of the depot requires observation and assessment. The ambient air concentrations of BTX were been measured within Pipelines and Product Marketing Company, Mosimi Depot and its immediate environment. Air samples were collected on granular activated charcoal through low volume air sampler and extracted with carbon disulphide (CS2) by desorption process.The extracted solutions were subjected to Flame Ionization Detection analysis in a gas chromatograph (Model: HP 6890) using a capillary column HP 5MS with length, inner diameter and particle size set at 30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm. The gas chromatograph was powered with chemstation RevA09.01 [1206] software to determine the concentrations of each of the identified VOCs species. The concentrations of benzene, toluene, p xylene, m xylene and o xylene ranged between 0.0104 - 0.0711, 0.0019 - 0.0998, 0.0010 - 0.0022, 0.0014 - 0.0026 and 0.0006 0.0019 mg/m3 respectively. The mean values were 0.0277, 0.0389, 0.0013, 0.0019 and 0.00010 mg/m3, respectively. On the average, the observed concentrations did not exceed the tolerance (air concentrations) limits set for Nigeria environment by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA)
The Composition and Functional Properties of Stingless Bee Honey: A Review
No full textHoney produced by the stingless bee were use since ancient times in almost every continent as food or for medicinal purposes. The usage of stingless bee honey proceeds from its composition and functional properties. Stingless bee honey has been reported to have many medicinal properties such as antiseptic, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. Since early 20th century, various studies on the composition and functional properties of honey have been conducted worldwide and findings were tremendous. Stingless bee honey reported to have hundreds of bioactive compound. However, the composition and functional properties of stingless bee honey is differs depending on the source of honey; either influenced by the location of hive or by the species of stingless bee itself. This review provides the information on the composition and functional properties of stingless bee honey reported worldwide. The information gathered is very important to understand and to explain about the variability of nutritional composition in honey and how it might influence the value of stingless bee honeys as medicinal food.  
The Apparent Metabolisable Energy Values of Palm Kernel Cake as Influenced by Enzymes and Cocktails
Full text linkThis study was conducted to quantify the effects of enzymes and their cocktails on the apparent metabolisable energy (AME) value of palm kernel cake to maximise enzymes’ advantages. There were eight treatments, each with three replicates in a completely randomised design with T1 as control. The experimental treatments had Xylanase, Multipurpose and phytase enzymes respectively for T2, T3 and T4, and a cocktail of xylanase and multipurpose, a cocktail of xylanase and phytase, cocktail of multipurpose and phytase, and cocktail of xylanase, multipurpose and phytase for T5, T6, T7 and T8. The feeding trial was done using the intubation method. Gross energy values were determined with calorimeter while calculated AME values were subjected to analysis of variance using Statistical Analysis System and treatment means separated by Duncan Multiple Range Test. Results show that individual enzymes, apart from phytase, significantly (p>0.05) improved the AME value of palm kernel cake. Treatment T8 was significantly (p>0.05) better than the other treatments. Each cocktail was significantly better than its respective individual enzymes except cocktail of multipurpose enzyme and phytase that was not significantly different from multipurpose enzyme but significantly (p>0.05) better than phytase. It was concluded that enzymes and cocktail of enzymes could be used to enhance the energy content of nonconventional feedstuffs thereby serving as a replacement to conventional energy feedstuffs. 
Effects of Heat Generation/Absorption on a Stagnation Point Flow Past a Stretching Sheet Carbon Nanotube Water-Based Hybrid Nanofluid with Newtonian Heating
Full text linkThis study investigates the mathematical modelling of heat generation/absorption effect on the convective flow of single wall carbon nanotube-copper (SWCNT-Cu)/water hybrid nanofluid towards a stagnation point past a stretching sheet with Newtonian heating. The set of governing equations in the form of non-linear partial differential equations are first transform using the similarity transformation technique then solved numerically by the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg (RKF45) method in Maple software. The numerical solutions were obtained for the surface temperature, the heat transfer coefficient and the skin friction coefficient as well as the velocity and the temperature profiles. The features of the flow and heat transfer characteristics for various values of the stretching parameter, the conjugate parameter, the nanoparticle volume fraction parameter and the heat source/sink parameter are analyzed and discussed. It is found that effects of hybrid nanoparticles are more significant for lower stretching parameter and for large conjugate parameter values, as well as the heat generation/absorption
Spatial and Temporal Variation of Scleractinian Coral Recruitment in Balok Coastal Waters and Bidong Island, Malaysia
Full text linkUnderstanding coral recruitment is important as increasing of regional decline of coral reef worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the spatial and temporal coral recruitment patterns around reef sites in Balok coastal waters and Bidong Island, Malaysia. Recruitment density was determined by quantifying number of coral recruits settled on the terra-cotta tiles and artificial reef settlement plates. In Balok coastal waters, a total of 159 coral recruits were counted with 0.09 ± 0.03 n/m2 mean recruitment density per plate, while in Bidong Island, a total of 319 coral recruits were counted with 0.19 ± 0.02 n/m2 mean recruitment density per plate. Coral recruits were dominated by genus Pocillopora followed by Stylopora and Seriatopora in Bidong. Meanwhile in Balok, genus Platygyra was dominant coral recruits followed by Porites and Fungia. Additionally, minor spawning event was predicted in Balok coastal waters in September due to increase number of Platygyra coral. Recruitment density varied significantly between locations, types of settlement plates and plate’s orientation at both study areas. Current findings highlighted the significant use of artificial reef plates to increase the chances of larval settlement. This research also provides important information in assessing coral resilience towards different environmental conditions between coastal and sheltered reef areas
Microbiological Assessment of Poultry Droppings, Water and Soil Under Deep Litter (Dl) And Battery Cage (Bl) Systems Within Lagos, Nigeria
Full text linkThis study focuses on the evaluation of the microbiological profile of microbes found in water, soil, droppings, in selected poultry farms under intensive and semi-intensive management system within Lagos, Nigeria. Bacteria and fungi were isolated from poultry droppings, water and soil samples and identified by standard microbiological protocol. The data on the assessment of poultry production system were obtained with structured questionnaire. The bacterial and fungal counts ranged from 29 X 109 CFU/mL - 106 X 109 CFU/mL and 72 X 109 CFU/mL - 115 X 109 CFU/mL respectively. The microorganisms isolated were Streptococcus pluranimalium, Micrococcus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus arlettae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Bacilllus subtilis, Aeromonas hydrophila, Candida tropicalis, Saccharomyces spp, Sporendonema spp., Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium oxysporum, Kloeckera spp., Zygosaccharomyces spp and Aspergillus niger. Aspergillus niger (30.5%), Micrococcus sp. (17.6%) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, (17.6%), occur most frequently while Candida tropicalis (4.6%) and Escherichia coli (5.8%) has the lowest percentage occurrence in poultry droppings. Aspergillus sp. (48.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28.6%) occur most frequently while Penicillium sp. (15.2%), Staphylococcus spp. (7.1%), has the lowest percentage occurrence in poultry soil samples. Fusarium sp. (38.8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28.6%), occur most frequently while Aspergillus sp. (7.7%), Staphylococcus spp. (7.1%) has the lowest percentage occurrence in water samples. Most of the isolated bacteria showed resistance to at least two different classes of antibiotics. There is strong evidence that poultry farms in Lagos have utilized many antibiotics and this may have contributed to antibiotic resistant pattern of some bacterial isolates to antibiotics