USM Journal Management System (Univ. Sains Malaysia)
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Bioassay-Guided Fractionation of Acetone and Methanol Extracts of Quercus infectoria Galls with Antimalarial Properties
Get PDFThe antimalarial properties of crude extracts from Quercus infectoria galls were investigated through bioassay-guided fractionation. Acetone (QIA) and methanol (QIM) crude extracts have been reported to have promising antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (3D7 strain). These extracts were subjected to fractionation using automated preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (prep-HPLC) to identify the most active fractions. Nine fractions were isolated from each extract, of which the fractions QIA11 and QIM16 showed antimalarial activity, with IC50 values of 17.65 ± 1.82 ?g/mL and 24.21 ± 1.88 ?g/mL, respectively. In comparison, the standard antimalarial drug artemisinin has an IC50 value of 0.004 ± 0.001 ?g/mL). Through high-resolution liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HR-LCMS) analysis of the fractions, four known compounds were successfully identified: gallic acid, ellagic acid, 1,3,6-tris-o-(3,4,5- trihydroxybenzoyl)-beta-d-glucose and 1-O,6-O-digalloyl-beta-D-glucose.
Field Efficacy of Anticoagulant Rodenticide Towards Managing Rodent Pests in Jitra Rice Field, Kedah, Malaysia
Get PDFFrequent encounters with the greater bandicoot rats (Bandicota indica) following high rodent damage towards rice crops and lack of information on the species had encouraged this study to be conducted to test the relevance of using first- and second-generation rodenticide in a field efficacy test. This study also attempts to detect any sign of resistance of current rodent pest populations towards chlorophacinone (0.005%) and flucoumafen (0.05%) for the control of field rats predominant rice field agrosystem of the Kedah in northern peninsular Malaysia. Six different treatments over dry and wet rice planting season together with trapping exercise. The observation was evaluated based on the number of active burrows, counting tiller damage due to rodent attack and trapping index. The results indicated that flucoumafen gives better rodent control and has a better impact (p < 0.05) although chlorophacinone is still relevant to be applied (p < 0.05). Treatments during the off-planting season (September–February) are more effective compared to the main planting season (March–August). Rodent control during the early off-planting season is encouraged for better rodent management in the rice field and the use of bait stations to increase the weatherability of the baits
A Study of Military Defense in the Ancient Chinese City of Chang’an During the Han Dynasty
Get PDFThe Western Han Dynasty’s two hundred years were a critical stage in developing the capital of ancient China’s unified dynasty. Since the 1950s, with the continuous archaeological excavation work in Chang’an City during the Western Han Dynasty, over half a century has passed and many material and cultural relics have been unearthed, greatly enriching people’s understanding of the civilization of the Han Dynasty in China. Although scholarship was fruitful in the Han dynasty capital, the discussion of military aspects was weak. Therefore, the paper aims to explain the military defense of the capital of the Western Han Dynasty in the historical period and, to some extent, supplement the current academic community’s shortcomings in the military field of capital research. Based on the above considerations, the methods used in this paper are bottom-up reconstruction of archaeological materials, top-down reconstruction of documentary materials, and a large-scale spatial review of historical geography. It will take Chang’an, the central city of China’s Western Han Empire, as an example to analyze the development process of military defense and try to explore the success or failure of this city’s military management. This study found that Chang’an City during this period became the focus of centralized defense with its complete political system and ritual system.
Keywords: Ancient China; Han dynasty capital; Chang’an City; Western Han Dynasty; military defens
Cabaran dan Strategi Kelangsungan Politik UMNO di Johor, 2008-2018
Get PDFArtikel ini membincangkan kelangsungan politik UMNO di Johor berdasarkan kepada cabaran dan strategi di negeri ini. Sejak PRU 12, kedudukan UMNO selaku penaung politik di Johor ini dicabar oleh parti pembangkang yang terdiri dari DAP, PAS, PKR kemudian bertambah kepada parti baharu iaitu BERSATU dan AMANAH pada PRU 14. Peningkatan prestasi parti pembangkang yang menang empat kerusi DUN pada PRU 12, 18 kerusi DUN pada PRU 13 dan 36 kerusi DUN pada PRU 14, sekali gus membentuk kerajaan negeri di Johor membuktikan parti pembangkang berjaya meluaskan pengaruh terhadap politik negeri ini. Situasi ini menunjukkan kedudukan politik UMNO di Johor telah dicabar oleh parti pembangkang. Berdasarkan cabaran yang dihadapi oleh UMNO, kepimpinan parti tersebut mengatur semula langkah bagi mengukuhkan kedudukan dalam politik negeri ini. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah penulisan sejarah dengan meneliti sumber primer iaitu laporan rasmi dari Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya Malaysia, Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia dan akhbar arus perdana seperti Utusan Malaysia dan Berita Harian sebagai sumber untuk penulisan. Hasil kajian ini mendapati parti pembangkang menggunakan isu seperti, percukaian GST dan kenaikan kos sara hidup sebagai kempen pilihan raya. Perkara ini menjadi cabaran terhadap UMNO dan parti tersebut berusaha merencakan strategi dalam usaha mengekalkan status Johor sebagai ‘kubu politik’. Selain itu, kajian ini mendapati strategi oleh UMNO tidak agresif dan tidak tersusun dalam usaha untuk mengukuhkankan kedudukan di Johor. Kegagalan seterusnya menyebabkan parti tersebut kehilangan kuasa di negeri ini sejak kali pertama.
Kata kunci: UMNO; Johor; Strategi; Cabaran; Politik Malaysi
The Malaysian Music Therapists: Their Careers, Challenges, and the Future
Get PDFIn the West, music therapy has emerged since the mid-twentieth century and has been recognised as a formal profession promoted in both clinical and educational settings. It encompasses cognitive, behavioural, psychiatric, psychosocial, and neurological domains. However, compared to its robust development in the West and neighbouring countries, the profession in Malaysia is at the developing stage. To the best of the researcher’s knowledge, no studies have investigated the causes from the perspectives of Malaysian music therapists. The current research invited five practising music therapists for semi-structured interviews. Through the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), the following themes emerged to reflect the status quo of the profession: (1) career intention and realisation, (2) awareness and acceptance of the public, and (3) the status of the advocacy. It showed that Malaysian music therapists intended to work in healthcare. Although the recent advocacy effort has focused on making music therapy under allied health, it is not included in the clinical setting. The study concluded that awareness still needs to be raised among clinical stakeholders, the government, and the public. There should be more clinical research collaboration to generate local data to promote the profession under allied health, encourage more local training programmes, and elevate awareness and acceptance among the public and the government
Stakeholders’ Opinion on Geotourism Characteristics of Hummanaya Destination, Sri Lanka
Get PDFGeotourism is a niche market that contributes to sustaining and even enhancing the geographical characteristics of a territory, including the abiotic, biotic, and cultural (ABC) attributes of destinations. It uplifts the living standards of local communities and provides opportunities for visitors to understand and appreciate the natural environment and the existing culture of the geosites. The aim of this research was to evaluate the geotourism characteristics of the Hummanaya tourism destination based on stakeholders’ opinions and to investigate the extent to which stakeholders are committed to adhering to geotourism principles. Primary and secondary data sources were utilized to collect the necessary data for this study. For gathering primary data, key informant interviews and participatory observations were conducted in the field using a semi-structured questionnaire, with purposive sampling employed. Unpublished documents served as secondary data. Descriptive statistical analysis and narrative interpretation methods were used to analyze the collected data. The study was able to identify the extent to which geotourism stakeholders adhere to geotourism principles. Specifically, regarding the principles of integrity, community involvement, community benefits, and tourist satisfaction, the informants provided positive responses. The findings reveal that the destination is perceived by tourists as a fascinating and unique tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. Most tourists reported being very satisfied or satisfied with the tourist attractions, facilities, and services provided by local facilitators, indicating that the destination meets tourists’ expectations. However, a significant issue is whether other stakeholders are satisfied with geotourism\u27s contributions to protecting the destination\u27s ABC attributes and improving the socio-economic status of local communities. Negative responses were noted concerning principles such as evolution, market selectivity, interactive interpretation, and market diversity. Therefore, necessary measures must be taken to conserve and develop the destination as a geosite and geotourism site
The Impact of Corporate Governance on Financial Decision-making: Evidence from Non-financial Institutions in the Australian Securities Exchange
Get PDFThe objective of this study was to examine the impact of corporate governance on the financial choices of non-financial companies operating in the Australian Securities Exchange. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select a total of 113 firms representing 14 sectors listed in the Australian Securities Exchange during the period from 2008 to 2021. The findings of the study revealed a positive and significant relationship between the size of the board, gender diversity among board members, board member affiliation and board compensation with the financial decisions of the corporations. Additionally, the study identified that the presence of experienced and non-executive board members had a negative and significant impact on internally generated funding. Furthermore, it was observed that board gender diversity, board size, board member affiliation and board compensation displayed a positive and significant association with debt financing, internally generated financing and equity financing. Most organisations displayed a preference for internal and debt financing over equity funding. Aligning governance with financial decisions enhances firms’ cost of capital. Governance quality affects capital market access, debt and equity costs. Effective governance leads to favourable financing terms
Volatility Spillovers Effects between Energy Commodities and Islamic Stock Markets
Get PDFEmpirical research exploring the relationship between capital markets and energy prices plays a crucial role in shaping policies for the growth of the Islamic financial system. This study aims to investigate potential shock transmission and volatility spillover effects among Islamic stock indices from selected Middle East and Northern Africa countries as well as crude oil prices and natural gas, over the period from August 2007 to September 2020. Applying VAR-BEKK-GARCH representation, the results reveal the evidence of bidirectional cross-market shock and volatility spillover effects between Kuwait and Qatar Islamic stock indexes, crude oil prices, and natural gas. Moreover, the results indicate the existence of bidirectional/unidirectional shock and volatility spillovers between Islamic indexes and all other variables, meaning there are information flows between these variables in all four countries except Turkey. Regarding the results of volatility spillovers, there is no spillover effect between Turkey’s MSCI Islamic index and Brent crude oil. These findings bear significant implications for portfolio management, offering valuable insights to financial market participants for making improved portfolio allocation decisions. Also, comprehending the volatility transmission mechanism across these markets is vital to provide policymakers and regulatory authorities with insight into the impact of energy prices on Islamic stock markets
Peranan dan Sumbangan Dr. Burhanuddin al-Helmi dalam Perkembangan Perubatan Homeopati di Malaysia, 1935–1969: The Role and Contribution of Dr. Burhanuddin al-Helmi in the Development of Homeopathic Medicine in Malaysia, 1935–1969
Get PDFThis article discusses the history of the emergence of homeopathic medicine pioneered by Dr. Burhanuddin al-Helmi during the British colonial period began when he studied in India in 1935 and he continued expanding on it throughout his life till his passing in 1969. However, this homeopathic procedure was less popular among the Malays as they were still practicing traditional Malay and Islamic medication that was interspersed with Quranic verses, as well as modern medicines in hospitals and clinics introduced by the British colonial. This is because homeopathy medicine is still new and has not been widely revealed. This writing will perceive how his education in India has influenced his interest in homeopathic medicine and the development of this medicine in Malaysia. This study was conducted using the qualitative approach by analysing articles written by Dr. Burhanuddin and several other homeopathic researchers and historians. The findings show that Dr. Burhanuddin’s homeopathy was found to be as an alternative medical treatment to allopathy. The article also concludes that the historical development of homeopathy medical science in Malaysia dating back to the 1930s, including the establishment of the Homeopathic Society Federation of Malaya (PHPTM) in 1961, was the efforts and the roles of a Malay nationalist, Dr. Burhanuddin, who was the first homeopathic practitioner of medicine in Malaysia.
Makalah ini1 membincangkan sejarah kemunculan perubatan homeopati yang telah dipelopori oleh Dr. Burhanuddin al-Helmi semasa bermulanya zaman pemerintahan British ketika beliau mempelajari ilmu perubatan itu di India pada tahun 1935 sehinggalah pada akhir hayatnya dalam tahun 1969. Namun begitu, perubatan ini kurang popular dalam kalangan masyarakat Melayu tradisional kerana mereka masih mengamalkan amalan perubatan tradisional dan jampi serapah yang diselang-seli dengan ayat-ayat al-Quran, di samping perubatan moden di hospital dan klinik yang diperkenalkan oleh pihak British. Hal ini berlaku disebabkan perubatan homeopati masih baharu dan belum didedahkan secara besar-besaran. Penulisan ini melihat bagaimana pendidikan beliau di India telah mempengaruhi minatnya dalam perubatan homeopati dan perkembangan perubatan ini di Malaysia. Makalah ini hanya menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif melalui kaedah kepustakaan iaitu sumber karya yang ditulis oleh beliau serta pengkaji perubatan homeopati dan sejarawan lain. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa perubatan homeopati yang diamalkan oleh Dr. Burhanuddin merupakan alternatif rawatan kepada perubatan alopati. Penulisan ini menyimpulkan bahawa sejarah perkembangan ilmu perubatan homeopati di Malaysia yang bertapak sejak dari tahun 1930-an, termasuk penubuhan Persatuan Homeopathy Persekutuan Tanah Melayu (PHPTM) pada tahun 1961, merupakan hasil usaha dan peranan Dr. Burhanuddin, seorang nasionalis Melayu yang juga merupakan pengamal ilmu perubatan homeopati pertama di Malaysia. 
How to Conduct CSR Activities to Build Consumer Trust and Corporate Reputation in Covid-19 Pandemic?
Get PDFThe world has changed dramatically since the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. This crisis has put companies under the test for their commitment to moral business conduct and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Facing the challenges for survival as well as financial strains could push firms with difficult choices in their CSR practices. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of CSR activities in building customer trust and company reputation with limited resources in the Covid-19 pandemic context. The paper collected data on latent constructs through a survey of 494 consumers by convenience sample in Vietnam. Confirmatory factor analysis assessed psychometric properties of the constructs, while the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was used to examine posited hypotheses. The results show that economic responsibility has a positive impact on expertise trust; legal responsibility and ethical responsibility positively impact integrity trust; philanthropic responsibility has a positive effect on social benevolence trust. However, only ethical responsibility and philanthropic responsibility can directly influence corporate reputation. In addition, three dimensions of trust strengthen the link between CSR initiatives and company reputation. Among them, social benevolence trust plays the most critical role in creating a reputation. Based on this finding, some management implications are also discussed regarding how corporations can allocate appropriate resources for different CSR activities so that they could leverage benefits from CSR strategy in their business. Moreover, the results obtained open future lines of comparative research on the impact of CSR practices, mediated by trust in corporate reputation, between countries with different cultures and religious beliefs