Open Journal System Universiti Malaysia Kelantan
Not a member yet
1069 research outputs found
Sort by
Molecular identification and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) associated genes in Kelantan, Malaysia
No full textOver the years, Klebsiella pneumoniae especially ESBL-producers type has become a global concern. Frequent reports on resistance reaction to a wide range of available antibiotics have resulted in uncontrolled hospital outbreaks. It is a therapeutic obstacle that must be overcome. This study was conducted to profile the microbiological characterization and antimicrobial resistance of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. The bacteria strain undergoing the biochemical tests and disk-diffusion susceptibility tests, respectively. Additionally, the molecular targeted ESBL-producer genes were established through PCR amplification to distinguish the ?-lactamase type of the ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. All isolates were confirmed as ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae with biochemical characterization of acidic, yellow, rupture medium, positive Urease and Citrate test, and negative Indole test. Following the susceptibility test, the ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates showed resistance to tested Ciprofloxacin, Ceftriaxone, Trimethoprim, Ampicillin, Nalidixic Acid, and Cephalothin. Lastly, the PCR amplification successfully identified at least one or more ?-lactamase types in all isolates. The identified ?-lactamase consists of TEM, OXA, SHV, CTX-M-1, and CTX-M-9. The presence of at least one or more of the ?-lactamase gene in the Klebsiella strain should be taken seriously by the clinicians as the gene is capable to developed multidrug antibiotic resistance. Further and additional researches need to be implored to fully understand the capabilities of ESBL-producer type bacteria.  
Morphometric Analysis of Drainage Basins Using ArcGIS: A Case Study of the Anambra River Basin for Understanding Erosion Patterns and Hydrological Characteristics
No full textThe Anambra River Basin\u27s hydrological and erosion dynamics are critical for regional water resource management. This study aims to analyze the morphometric characteristics of the five major basins within the Anambra River Basin to understand their impact on hydrology and erosion patterns. The study aims to provide a comprehensive morphometric analysis of the Anambra River Basin to inform effective water resource management and erosion control strategies. Morphometric parameters such as area and perimeter of the five major basins were analyzed. Stream order analysis was conducted to classify streams into secondary, primary, and tertiary orders, along with a category labeled "Others" for minor streams. The First Basin, the largest, covers an area of 1459.27 km² with a perimeter of 257.38 km. The smaller basins, Fourth and Fifth, have areas of 171.81 km² and 227.45 km², respectively. Tertiary streams, with an area of 0.78 km² and perimeter of 75.37 km, were identified as having the highest runoff volume. Larger basins like the First Basin are more susceptible to erosion due to their extensive surface areas exposed to rainfall and runoff. Smaller basins, influenced by localized factors, experience less intense erosion. Stream order analysis highlights the significant hydrological contributions of tertiary streams. Effective water resource management in the Anambra River Basin requires understanding the distinct morphometric characteristics of each basin. Larger basins necessitate extensive erosion control measures, while smaller basins require localized strategies. The study underscores the importance of tailored management practices to mitigate erosion and ensure sustainable water use. This study provides a detailed morphometric analysis of the Anambra River Basin, offering insights into the hydrological and erosion dynamics of different basin sizes and stream orders. It emphasizes the need for tailored management strategies to address specific hydrological and environmental challenges within the basin
A theoretical review of flood and its social-economic impacts
No full textThis research employed Google’s engine to investigate 48 journals, newspapers, and government reports to identify the trend of research related to floods. It was found that Southeast Asia countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia are relatively giving less attention to flooding issue, particularly on disaster preparedness, risk factors and perception, hazard assessment, uncertainty analysis and vulnerability in buildings. Nine theories and models were reviewed; a conceptual framework was developed based on behavioural decision theory (BDT), Protective Action Decision Model (PADM), Rational Actor Paradigm (RAP), expectancy-valence models (EVM), circumplex model of affect (CMA), and agent-based modelling. This framework encompasses the creation of a flood map using agent-based modelling while examining the decision-making environment, including certainty, uncertainty, and risk, along with their implications, such as assessing emotional states and economic losses. This would ultimately help us to understand the ways of life of the people in Kelantan, which recover efforts and raise awareness could be implemented effectively. Ultimately, the findings of this study can assist stakeholders, planners, and decision-makers in creating more effective policies and guidelines to support the people in Kelantan
An Analysis of Sexual Communication and an Examination of Sexual Communication Within the Javanese Society
No full textMarried couples\u27 communication skills have a significant impact on sexual satisfaction and relationships. It is inconceivable if a husband and wife do not have communication skills, silence each other without communication, and then live together in one household for an extended period. Of course, it was very torturous. The purpose of this study is to understand and reconstruct the dialectical process of couple relationships that have developed into intimate relationships in sexual communication. Couples have adjustment mechanisms in building relationships in sexual communication. The critical theory that guides this research is the Relational Dialectic Theory of Baxter and Montgomery. This research uses experimental techniques to determine the extent, degree, problem, or behavior of a particular phenomenon, the initial idea (or hunch) about the phenomenon is generated, and to examine whether a broader study of this phenomenon can be conducted. This phenomenological research is accompanied by Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (AFI) with a qualitative approach. The results of this study highlight the importance of communication in conveying sexual expression to partners. Furthermore, it shows that sexual expression is a common phenomenon, and that couples\u27 struggles in developing intense relationships can result in marital satisfaction. Finally, strategies to improve marriage are explored. Communication implications are clearly described, such as producing recommendations for couples towards marital satisfaction
Bibliometric Mapping of Determinants of Attrition Among Distance Learners in Developing Countries
No full textThe rapid expansion of distance learning in developing countries has highlighted persistent challenges, particularly high attrition rates. Despite its potential to bridge educational gaps, distance education faces significant dropout rates, often exceeding 50%, undermining its equity and efficiency goals. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to map research trends, key determinants, and emerging themes related to attrition among distance learners in developing contexts. Using the Scopus database, 175 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2004 and 2025 were analysed. The study employed bibliometric techniques, including co-citation and keyword co-occurrence analysis, visualised via VOSviewer and Microsoft Excel. PRISMA guidelines ensured systematic data collection and analysis, focusing on publication trends, productive journals, influential countries, and intellectual structures. Findings revealed a surge in research post-2020, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Leading journals included the British Journal of Educational Technology and Computers & Education, while China, India, and Malaysia dominated publication output. Key themes centred on student motivation, institutional support, and technological barriers, with emerging focus areas like digital poverty and social inclusion. Co-citation analysis highlighted a reliance on Western theoretical frameworks, underscoring gaps in localised models. The study underscores the need for context-specific strategies to address attrition, emphasising infrastructure investment, pedagogical adaptations, and policy reforms. It calls for interdisciplinary collaboration and regionally tailored research to enhance retention in distance education systems across developing countries
Ecophysiological responses of the halophyte Lumnitzera racemosa Willd. to heavy metal stress in an ultramafic mining environment
No full textPlants are essential components of life, providing food, habitat, and ecological balance. Their leaves harness solar energy, making them critical indicators of environmental health. Leaf size indices provide valuable insights into plant health, transpiration, growth, temperature regulation, and light capture. This study investigated the effects of six heavy metals—Molybdenum (Mo), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), and Cadmium (Cd)—on the morphometric leaf traits of the halophyte Lumnitzera racemosa Willd. in an ultramafic mining site in Claver, Surigao del Norte, with a non-mining control site in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. Sediment analyses revealed that Cr (4,434 ppm) and Ni (4,234 ppm) in the mining site exceeded WHO and FAO permissible limits (100 and 50 ppm, respectively), while Ni (552 ppm) and Cr (334 ppm) in the control site also surpassed thresholds, indicating diffuse contamination. Morphometric analysis showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in all measured leaf traits between sites. L. racemosa in Nasipit exhibited longer leaves (mean = 5.17 cm) and greater leaf area (mean = 7.53 cm²) compared with Claver (4.17 cm and 6.83 cm², respectively), representing increases of 22% in length and 9% in area. In contrast, leaves from Claver had broader widths (by 12%) and longer petioles (by 15%), possibly reflecting compensatory morphological plasticity under multi-metal stress. The widespread contamination of all six heavy metals likely induced synergistic or antagonistic toxic effects, altering cell division and photosynthetic activity. Leaf macronutrient analysis revealed nitrogen deficiency in both populations, optimum to high phosphorus, and excessive potassium levels, suggesting that leaf size variations were not driven by nutrient imbalance but by metal toxicity and environmental stress. The study concludes that L. racemosa exhibits adaptive morphometric responses to heavy metal exposure, indicating its potential as a bioindicator species for monitoring contamination in ultramafic and mining-affected mangrove ecosystems
Assessing landslide susceptibility in Bukit Kwong dam, Kelantan, Malaysia using geospatial techniques and frequency ratio model
No full textLandslides occurring at or near dam structures are among the predominant forms of geological hazards responsible for significant loss of life, property damage, and environmental degradation worldwide. To understand the risk, this study evaluates the landslide susceptibility in the nearly ageing Bukit Kwong Dam where ageing denotes to time-related deterioration occurring fifty years of operation using an integrated approach of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Geographic Information System (GIS) and frequency ratio model selected due to its simplicity and ability to provide numerical measure of the relative importance in the landslide occurrence. The proposed methodology involves the preparation of a landslide inventory, generation of multiple thematic maps representing factors influencing slope instability, including aspect, slope, plan curvature, profile curvature, elevation, land use, distance from river, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), rainfall, and distance from road. These thematic layers were subsequently integrated within a GIS environment using the frequency ratio technique to produce a Landslide Susceptibility Map (LSM). The LSM delineated five susceptibility classes, ranging from very low (48%), low (34%), moderate (12%), high (5%), and very high (1%). According to their high frequency values, slope, land use, plan and profile curvatures, and distance from river were identified as the most influential predisposing factors contributing to landslide occurrence. The performance and accuracy were evaluated using Area Under Curve (AUC), yielding a score of 0.85. The outcomes provide useful baseline information to identify landslide-prone areas for dam safety evaluations and slope management strategies in the region.
Agronomic Performance and Resistance Traits of Abaca Hybrid 7 ( Musa textilis Nee ) in the Field
No full textThe abaca ((Musa textilis Nee) industry is a vital contributor to employment and foreign exchange in the Philippines, but its productivity is increasingly threatened by viral diseases, particularly abaca bunchy top virus (ABTV). This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance and disease resistance of newly developed ABTV-resistant abaca hybrids under screenhouse and field conditions. Tissue-cultured plantlets were assessed for key agronomic traits, including pseudostem weight, length, and girth; dry fiber weight; percent fiber recovery; and sucker production. Disease resistance was evaluated through symptom observation and confirmed using ELISA and PCR diagnostics. Results indicated that the hybrids matured earlier (10–14 months) after planting. Notably, abaca hybrid Bandala (H7) outperformed Inosa with longer pseudostem (240–250 cm), larger middle girth, top girth size, and a larger base girth, and 16 suckers produced over 11.Similarly, Abaca Hybrid 2 (H2) exhibited a statistically significant difference compared to Bandala (H7) and Tinawagang Pula with fiber recovery of 1.05%, 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively. Additionally, hybrids exhibited complete resistance to ABTV, showing no symptoms and testing negative via PCR using the primer BBT1 and BBT2 that amplify the 348 bp fragment of DNA-R genome component.The absence of infection was confirmed by PCR using an internal control that detects the presence of Musa sequence. Hybrids also showed partial resistance to abaca mosaic and bract mosaic viruses under high disease pressure. These findings highlight the potential of virus-resistant abaca hybrids to improve yield, reduce disease losses, and support the long-term sustainability of abaca industry
Cultivating Talent: A Case of Samurai Yakiniku
No full textAt Samurai Yakiniku, the Wagyu isn’t the only thing that’s sizzling the whole business is on fire (in a good way). Founder Wan Muhammad Asraff (WMA) had one bold idea: mix Japanese flavours with Malaysian heart, and serve it halal with hustle. But behind the juicy cuts and happy customers were challenges hotter than the grill staffing, training, and keeping the passion alive. As he cheekily puts it.
“Great meat needs great people nobody wants a steak cooked by someone who\u27s half-cooked themselves!”
This story, however, is not just about one restaurant. The food and beverage (F&B) industry in Malaysia is one of the nation’s most dynamic service sectors, contributing significantly to the economy and shaping lifestyle trends. Samurai Yakiniku provides a timely lens to explore how these broader industry issues play out in practice, and how one founder’s approach to managing people becomes as important as the product he serves
Productivity and nature of compatibility in mixed pasture of Brachiaria decumbens cv. Kluang comel and Stylosanthes guianensis CIAT 184 under different planting ratio
No full textThis study aimed to determine the productivity and compatibility between Brachiaria decumbens cv. Kluang Comel and Stylosanthes guianensis CIAT 184 under different planting ratios. The experiment consisted of five treatments with different planting ratios of B. decumbens and Stylo in each treatment. The forages were harvested manually from each poly bag individually after 7 weeks from the first cut back. The samples were analyzed for crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin. The mixture of B. decumbens and Stylo at a 50:50 planting ratio produced the highest yield per hectare. The leaf percentage of grass was the highest in the mixture of B. decumbens and Stylo at 75:25 planting ratio, while the leaf percentage of legume was the highest in the mixture of B. decumbens and Stylo at 75:25 planting ratio. Higher crude protein content was observed in the 50:50 and 25:75 planting ratios due to the higher population of legume. The calcium percentage was the highest at the mixture of B. decumbens and Stylo at 25:75 planting ratio. The most preferable planting ratio is 50:50 of Brachiaria decumbens cv Kluang Comel and Stylosanthes guianensis CIAT 184 mixture