Open Journal System Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
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Detection of aflatoxin M1 in raw cow milk in Perak district
No full textMilk and dairy products are potentially contaminated with aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), especially in tropical and subtropical regions like Malaysia. This study aimed to detect the concentration of AFM1 in raw cow milk samples by ELISA method. A total of 46 samples of raw cow milk were received from four Milk Collection Centres (MCC) in Perak (A, B, C and D). 13.0% of the samples examined were found to exceed the European Commission (EC) 0.05 µg/kg maximum limit, with samples from MCC B and D accounting for 25.0% and 21.1% respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the mean concentration of AFM1 between the four MCCs at p<0.05. Among all these MCC groups, MCC A-B showed that there was a significant difference in concentration of AFM1 mean value at p<0.0125, while other groups of MCC groups were not significantly different. Nevertheless, all AFM1 concentration values in this study were below the 0.5 µg/kg limit set by the Food Act 1983 (Act 281) & Food Regulation (1985). However, the low concentration of aflatoxin observed in this study does not guarantee its absence in the future. Therefore, improvements especially in the process of handling and storing livestock feed and products (milk and meat) as well as consistent monitoring for the presence of aflatoxin to reduce the risk of aflatoxin toxicity to consumers
(Farewell Editorial) A Literature Review of the Influence of Social Media and Ethnicity on Political Engagement in Africa: Ghanaian Experience
No full textThe role of social media in African politics has become increasingly significant, especially in the context of political engagement, activism, and governance. This article explores the impact of social media on political processes across Africa, focusing on its ability to spread information, mobilize citizens, and influence elections. Through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp, social media has democratized political discourse, providing citizens with new avenues for participating in the political process. The article further examines how social media intersects with ethnic politics in Africa, where ethnic identities often shape political behaviour and power dynamics. While social media has the potential to foster political engagement and reduce ethnic tensions, it also presents challenges such as the spread of misinformation, political polarization, and digital inequality. The rapid dissemination of fake news, especially during election periods, can exacerbate conflicts and undermine democratic processes. Moreover, the digital divide in many African countries limits access to social media, particularly in rural areas, hindering its potential to promote inclusive political participation. Despite these challenges, social media remains a powerful tool for enhancing democratic governance in Africa. This paper concludes by discussing the implications of social media for politicians and academics, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts to mitigate risks while harnessing its potential to strengthen democratic institutions and promote socio-political stability across the continent
Exploring the Utilization of Indonesian Language Among International Students in Bilingual Education: An Analysis of Pedagogical and Cognitive Strategies
No full textThe present research examined the pedagogical and cognitive strategies employed by an Indonesian teacher to enhance the use of the Indonesian language among students in her bilingual class. The study was conducted within the framework of a linguistic ethnographic design. The researcher conducted an observation of the teacher\u27s classroom, documenting observations through the use of field notes. The observation was guided by the framework established by Schwartz and Asli (2014). A semi-structured interview was administered to gather insights into the teacher\u27s viewpoint and difficulties encountered while instructing her bilingual class. The predominant strategy utilized by the teacher was translanguaging within a sentence, with gesture being the subsequent technique most frequently employed. The utilization of a translation methodology was infrequently employed. Notwithstanding the implementation of pedagogical and cognitive methodologies, the educator faced two hindrances: (1) pupils who communicated in English instead of Indonesian and (2) challenges in allocating time
Award-Winning Women Business Operators in Kandy District of Sri Lanka: Entrepreneurial Bricolage
No full textWomen entrepreneurship has been identified as a crucial factor in closing the gender gap in the labor market and women empowerment. However, there is a significant gender gap in the SME sector in Sri Lanka. Also, Literature supports that Sri Lankan women are living in a socially and economically constrained environment. In this study entrepreneurial bricolage has been used as a theoretical lens to understand the entrepreneurial actions of women business operators because bricolage links means and ends in a resource-constrained environment. Since women business operators in Sri Lanka are in a constrained environment and operating with limited resources, the main purpose of this study to understand how Award-winning women business operators have applied Bricolage approach in their entrepreneurship process. Qualitative multiple case study research design was used to achieve the research objectives. In-depth interview method was adopted as the main data collection method and 30 women awardees were selected by using the purposive sampling method. The findings illustrate that these women business operators have used the \u27Bricolage\u27 approach in the form of \u27selective bricolage\u27. They have used it as a one-off practice to find solutions for problems and opportunities they faced in their businesses
The Implication of E-Commerce Application in SMEs
No full textThis research aims to explore the implication of e-commerce application among Small and Medium (SM) Malay entrepreneurs involved in the Malaysian food and beverage manufacturing industry based on three perspectives: technology, competition, and suppliers. A survey questionnaire was developed following the three variables. Furthermore, a pilot study was conducted to identify the necessary improvements to be made to the instrument. The respondents involved SM Malay entrepreneurs who are e-commerce application users, with a 68.4% response rate. The empirical data were statistically analysed via stepwise multiple regression. Resultantly, the variables of competition and supplier influenced the implication of e-commerce application among SM Malay entrepreneurs
A Narrative Review: Optimization Algorithms for The Problem of Allocating Shelf Space in Retailing
No full textThe Shelf Space Allocation Problem (SSAP) is of great significance in the retail industry since it directly impacts the effectiveness of product placement and organization within a shop. This issue arises from a deficiency in comprehending the strategic arrangement of products, resulting in the wasteful utilization of space. Notably, SSAP has a significant negative impact on store operations and customer satisfaction, resulting in wasted space and a reduction in the number of products that can be displayed to customers. Hence, the careful selection of an optimization method is crucial for effectively managing the allocation of shelf space in retail operations. This study aims to examine optimization algorithm techniques for addressing the issue of shelf space allocation in a particular environment, such as enhancing sales, minimizing congestion, or optimizing space utilization. Several studies have considered several optimization algorithm methods that have been used in solving the SSAP, including Genetic Algorithm (GA), Linear Programming (LP), Dynamic Programming (DP), Simulated Annealing (SA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS). These methods are selected based on problem characteristics, including nonlinearity, integer requirements for variables, and constraints such as limited rack space. This optimization method helps retailers to effectively optimize shelf space allocation and maximize sales and profits. The study thus reviewed previous papers examining optimization algorithm methods to solve the problem of shelf space allocation. Those methods are crucial in improving product organization efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall business performance
Sensory evaluation of four red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis Sp.) strains among fish consumers
No full textThe viability of tilapia in the aquaculture industry is due to the market demands that consumers decide. Since every aquaculture species had distinct sensory attributes, a hedonic sensory evaluation was performed to assess the sensory characteristics of the flesh of four red hybrid tilapia strains: (i) ?O.niloticus x ?O.niloticus (A)(MF280061), ?O.mossambicus x ?O.mossambicus (B) (MF509596), ?O.niloticus x ?O.mossambicus (C)(MF509597) and ?O.mossambicus x ?O. niloticus (D)(MF509598). Hedonic and ranking tests were carried out by 120 participants who assessed each strain\u27s 25 g steamed flesh. The sensory analysis was carried out by using five hedonic scales. They participated through a volunteer invitation. The surveyed population participated by 62.50% and 37.50% females and males, respectively. Participants were asked to complete the questionnaires, including demographic questions hedonic scores, and rank according to their preferences. Means of sensory attributes were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test at p<0.05. No significant differences (p>0.05) exist between strains in the sensory attributes related to taste, odour, and juiciness. Strain D had the highest scores in all sensory attributes compared to other strains. However, only the texture (3.97±0.71) attribute was found to be significantly different (p<0.05). Overall acceptability by participants demonstrated that the variations between strains were not statistically different (p>0.05). Nevertheless, strain D (141.00) was ranked significantly higher compared to other strains. Thus, the participant\u27s distinct, undistinguishable sensory attributes revealed that all strains could be commercialised as table fish
Making The Right Choice To Save The Honey Business
No full textIt is a hazy day in December that scared Nur Izzatie, and she likes to weep at the pain and disturbance she is going through. Nur Izzatie came into her room and closed the door with a blast.
She thinks, ‘I will lose everything I have been working for a year. Without kelulut bees and bee hives, I will be out of business.’
Nur Izzatie just discovered that numerous kelulut bees had perished on the ground, and the bee hives were empty. Hundreds of bees emerge in front of the bee hive\u27s entrance and begin to circle. In the absence of bees and honey, undoubtedly, there will be no business. Nur Izzatie had difficulty dealing with the problem, so fewer bees would die or flee away. She needs to find the reason soon to resolve it. Otherwise, she will lose everything
Enhancing Roselle Growth and Yield through Planting Density and Fertilization Strategies: A Study on BRIS Soil Area
No full textOptimizing planting density and fertilization practices are crucial factors influencing the micro-environment of agricultural fields, thereby profoundly impacting the growth, development, and yield formation of Roselle plants. This study investigates the combined effects of planting density and Sesbania grandiflora integration on nitrogen dynamics within the BRIS soil area, aiming to enhance Roselle growth and yield. Employing a randomized complete block design (RCBD), three fertilizer treatments—control, green manure, and organic fertilizer—were implemented. Nitrogen content was analyzed using the Kjeldahl method, while phosphorus and potassium contents were determined via UV spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively. Within an agroforestry model employing a spacing of 20 cm between plants, results revealed that Roselle plants treated with organic fertilizer exhibited higher nitrogen (N: 3.54 %), phosphorus (P: 0.54 %), and potassium (K: 1.61 %) content in their leaves, and similarly in their roots (N: 1.93%, P: 0.45%, K: 2.11%). However, soil analysis indicated that green manure fertilizer treatment led to higher nitrogen (0.11 %), phosphorus (44.67 %), and potassium (0.17 %) content within the BRIS soil. In conclusion, the green manure fertilizer treatment demonstrated a propensity to enhance nitrogen dynamics within the poorly structured BRIS soil, thereby promoting growth and development. Conversely, the integration of Sesbania grandiflora along with suitable plant spacing appeared instrumental in sustaining Roselle yield productivity. This research sheds light on the interplay between planting density, fertilizer strategies, and soil dynamics, providing valuable insights for optimizing Roselle cultivation practices in similar agroecological contexts
Effect of NaOH Treatment on Tensile Properties of Kenaf Core Fiber/Unsaturated Polyester Resin Biocomposites
No full textThis study investigated the effect of chemical treatment on kenaf core fiber (KCF)-reinforced unsaturated polyester resin (UPE) biocomposite using different NaOH treatment concentrations. The concentration used in this study is 0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10.0% of NaOH. The UPE, which serves as a matrix, was hot-pressed with NaOH-treated KFM at 120ºC, heating pressure of 8 MPa, and 10 minutes of heating. Next, the composites were characterized according to their tensile and water absorption properties according to ASTM D5083 and ASTM D570, respectively. The result shows that the KCF/UPE biocomposite with the 2.5% NaOH treatment demonstrated the highest tensile strength and modulus. A water absorption study revealed that 5% of NaOH-treated KCF/UPE biocomposite showed the lowest water absorption result compared to the untreated KCF. The increment of NaOH concentration resulted in lower strength, modulus, and water absorption values. Overall, it can be concluded that alkaline treatment successfully enhanced the mechanical and physical properties of KCF-reinforced UPE biocomposites