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An automatic non-English sentiment lexicon builder using unannotated corpus
No full textSentiment lexicons in the English language are widely accessible while in many other languages, these resources are extremely deficient. Current techniques and methods for sentiment analysis focus mainly on the English language, whereas other languages are neglected due to lack of resources. In order to overcome challenges faced in building non-English lexicons, we propose a language-independent method that automatically builds non-English sentiment lexicons based on currently available English lexicons with an unannotated corpus from the target language. The proposed method will automatically recognize and extract new polarity words from the unannotated corpus based on the initial seed lexicons that are developed by translating three reliable English lexicons. The experimental results from the test datasets confirmed that a developed non-English sentiment lexicon could significantly enhance the performance of non-English sentiment classifications, compared with other methods and lexicons. The developed lexicon in the Arabic language outperformed other commonly used methods for developing non-English lexicons, with an 0.74 F measure. The adopted approach in this study was proven to be language independent and can be implemented in other languages as well. This paper also contributes to understanding the approaches to developing sentiment resources. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
Real-time radiation dosimetry using P-doped silica optical fiber
No full textRadiation dosimetry applications related to radiotherapy have clear importance in determining the accurate and safe delivery of patient prescribed doses. Versatile yet robust, high spatial resolutions, wide dynamic range real-time forms of dosimetry are called for. Doped silica optical fibers of sub-mm spatial resolution exhibit useful radioluminescence (RL) properties when exposed to ionizing radiation. In this study, primary investigations have been carried out on phosphorus-doped silica optical-fiber. High-energy clinical X-ray beams (6 MV and 10 MV) were used to irradiate the optical fiber, RL response being recorded for six dose-rates (between 100 MU/min and 600 MU/min) delivered by a Varian 2100 C/D linear accelerator. The P-doped optical-fiber showed linear RL response, with minimal observable memory and afterglow and plateau effects. The results indicate the P-doped optical-fiber dosimeter to have strong potential for use in radiotherapy applications
A luminescent edge-interlocked prismatic heteroleptic metallocage assembled through a ligand replacement reaction
No full textA luminescent edge-interlocked heteroleptic metallocage based on Cu3(pyrazolate)3 was prepared through a ligand replacement reaction from a homoleptic metallocage and a new ligand. Its structure was confirmed by XRD and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Theoretical calculations revealed the new ligand was evidently responsible for the bathochromic shift of the optimal excitation. This work provides a heteroleptic strategy to regulate the interlocking fashion and photophysical mechanism of metallocages based on Cu3(pyrazolate)3
Potential anti-viral compounds from Malaysian Plant Natural Product Repository and Database (MyNature50000) for DENV2
No full textDengue virus (DENV) is a globally significant human pathogen that annually infects more than ∼300 million of the Earth’s population. While the clinically approved anti-dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia is available for treating such infection, its treatment is limited to those infected with DENV of serotypes 3 and 4 only. However, the vaccine is no longer available to treat dengue infections following the suspended use of Dengvaxia after several discoveries on the side effects of the vaccine on humans. In view of this recent development, a collection of plant extracts in the MyNature50000 library showing potential anti-dengue activities were explored. In this work, the DENV2 NS2B-NS3 bioassay was setup and optimized to evaluate the potential inhibitory activity of plant extracts stored in the MyNature50000 natural product collections. A total of 150 plants were examined using the high-throughput screening assay, among which four candidate plants showed potential as inhibitors of the DENV2 NS2B-NS3 protease, with exceptional inhibition activity >95% with corresponding IC50 values ranging within 2 − 5 µg/mL. Two local plants, Syzygium campanulatum (‘Kelat Paya’) and Syzygium grande (‘Keriang Batu’), were phytochemically analyzed and the data revealed existence of cyclododecane, n-hexadecanoic acid and caryophyllene, all of which are compounds well-known for their inhibitory activity against DENV2 NS2B-NS3. Additionally, MTT assays showed that both plants were mildly cytotoxic on mammalian cell lines, with IC50 values >20 µg/mL, indicating their prospective use as drugs to combat DENV
Investigating Student’s Acceptance of an EDMODO Content Management System
No full textThe aim of this study is to examine the factors that influenced the use of Edmodo content management system to support the teaching and learning in a flipped classroom context. Using an extended technology acceptance model (TAM), we adopted a revised model consisting of two external factors (Content Quality and Motivation) that may influence students' perceptions and acceptance of the system. A total of 42 students were involved in this study. The students attended a course in a flipped classroom environment. The findings of the study utilizing the multiple regression analysis revealed that the Edmodo content management system was well accepted where the Content Quality acted as a good external factor and able to predict the students Perception of Usefulness and Perception Ease of Use. As for Motivation, it was found that there was no positive relationship with the Perception of Usefulness
The environmental study on ageing in place: the design practice compliance to accessibility legislation and standards in Malaysia for elderly home environment
No full textMalaysia has been actively providing accessibility in the environmental built since the country signed the ‘Proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asia-Pacific Region’ in 1994. The aim of this research is to evaluate design practice compliances to accessibility legislation and design requirements in Malaysia. With regards of the increasing disability rates with age, ageing population have a significant impact on the needs of housing to be designed for future. The government regulation concerning housing design for ageing and disabled set to ensure a degree of access to their home. The role and relevance of the legislation and design requirements addressing the issue is to be practiced in the housing projects in Malaysia. On the strength of the legislations and design requirements, the analysis examines how Malaysia are practicing design solutions for housing accessibility, which encourages ageing in place. The results further reveal that such requirements was not used in the design practice and construction of housing projects in Malaysia. The outcomes are discussed considering the design requirements and concepts which can partly clarify competent design for the ageing population
Radio Frequency Interference on Nearby Radio Astronomical Lines: Relationship between Wind Speed and Radio Signal Strength Measured at East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia
No full textThe East coast of Peninsular Malaysia receives a strong wind speed, heavy rain and high humidity during the Northeast monsoon. The Malaysian Meteorological Department claims that the wind speed during the Northeast season could reach 55.56 km/h or more. This strong wind speed and heavy rain could contribute to the attenuation of radio signals. This paper investigated the relationship between wind speed (km/h) and radio signal strength, RSS (dBm). The statistical correlation was employed to identify the correlation value and strength between them. The wind speed and RSS were collected during wet and dry seasons at Kusza Observatory, while the Spectrum analyser was used for measuring RSS (dBm) and the weather station for wind speed (km/h). The result showed that the wet season has strong and significant correlation compared to the dry season. Frequencies of 382.5 MHz, 945 MHz and 2160 MHz with correlation values of r = -0.583;-0.631 and -0:514, respectively, showed strong, negative and significant correlations with wind speed in the wet season. As for the dry season, only a frequency of 382.5 MHz showed a strong, positive and significant correlation with r = 0.555, while small and medium for others. This finding is useful to a radio astronomer to help determine the best period for radio astronomy observation with the lowest interference considering the weather in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Besides, this finding benefits a spectrum of users involved in mobile telecommunication, wireless internet, radio TV transmission and satellite broadcasting
Changes in energy and nutrient intakes among Malaysian adults: findings from the Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS) 2003 and 2014
No full textIntroduction: Monitoring changes in energy and nutrient intakes of the population over the course of time is essential to help healthcare providers develop effective dietary policies. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the nutrient intake and Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) achievements by using the data obtained from the Malaysian Adult Nutrition Surveys (MANS) that were carried out in 2003 and 2014. Mis-reporting of energy intake was taken into account. Methods: Dietary data were obtained from MANS 2003 and MANS 2014, which involved a combined total of 4,044 randomly selected respondents, aged 18-59 years, using a single 24-hour diet recall. Energy and nutrients calculations were based on the Malaysian Food Composition database using the Nutritionist Pro software. The results were compared against the RNI for Malaysia to assess dietary adequacy. Results: The proportions of calories derived from macronutrients were within the recommendations for a healthy diet. The consumption of protein, fat, calcium, iron and vitamin A was significantly higher in 2014 than in 2003. The consumption of protein, iron, vitamin C, and vitamin A was found to exceed the RNIs in 2014. However, carbohydrate and sodium intakes had significantly decreased. Despite the decrease, sodium intake still exceeded RNI recommendations. Conclusion: Signs of changing energy and nutrient intakes were found, including increases in protein and fat intakes since 2003, and decreased carbohydrates. This could be an alarming indicator of the tendency to eat energy dense food among the population. © 2019, Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
Macroline–Sarpagine Bisindole Alkaloids with Antiproliferative Activity from Alstonia penangiana
No full textA methanol extract of the stem bark of the Malayan Alstonia penangiana provided seven new bisindole alkaloids, comprising six macroline-sarpagine alkaloids (angustilongines E-K, 1-6) and one macroline-pleiocarpamine bisindole alkaloid (angustilongine L, 7). Analysis of the spectroscopic data (NMR and MS) of these compounds led to the proposed structures of these alkaloids. The macroline-sarpagine alkaloids (1-6) showed in vitro growth inhibitory activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines, inclusive of KB, vincristine-resistant KB, PC-3, LNCaP, MCF7, MDA-MB-231, HT-29, HCT 116, and A549 cells (IC50 values: 0.02-9.0 μM). Copyright © 2019 American Chemical Society and American Society of Pharmacognosy
A Novel Hybrid Evolutionary Data-Intelligence Algorithm for Irrigation and Power Production Management: Application to Multi-Purpose Reservoir Systems
No full textMulti-purpose advanced systems are considered a complex problem in water resource management, and the use of data-intelligence methodologies in operating such systems provides major advantages for decision-makers. The current research is devoted to the implementation of hybrid novel meta-heuristic algorithms (e.g., the bat algorithm (BA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm) to formulate multi-purpose systems for power production and irrigation supply. The proposed hybrid modelling method was applied for the multi-purpose reservoir system of Bhadra Dam, which is located in the state of Karnataka, India. The average monthly demand for irrigation is 142.14 (106 m3), and the amount of released water based on the new hybrid algorithm (NHA) is 141.25 (106 m3). Compared with the shark algorithm (SA), BA, weed algorithm (WA), PSO algorithm, and genetic algorithm (GA), the NHA decreased the computation time by 28%, 36%, 39%, 82%, and 88%, respectively, which represents an excellent enhancement result. The amount of released water based on the proposed hybrid method attains a more reliable index for the volumetric percentage and provides a more effective operation rule for supplying the irrigation demand. Additionally, the average demand for power production is 18.90 (106 kwh), whereas the NHA produces 18.09 (106 kwh) of power. Power production utilizing the NHA's operation rule achieved a sufficient magnitude relative to that of stand-alone models, such as the BA, PSO, WA, SA, and GA. The excellent proficiency of the developed intelligence expert system is the result of the hybrid structure of the BA and PSO algorithm and the substitution of weaker solutions in each algorithm with better solutions from other algorithms. The main advantage of the proposed NHA is its ability to increase the diversity of solutions and hence avoid the worst possible solutions obtained using BA, that is, preventing a decrease in local optima. In addition, the NHA enhances the convergence rate obtained using the PSO algorithm. Hence, the proposed NHA as an intelligence model could contribute to providing reliable solutions for complex multi-purpose reservoir systems to optimize the operation rule for similar reservoir systems worldwide. © 2019 by the authors