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Truths and euphemisms: How euphemisms are used in the political arena
No full textPoliticians are notorious for their employment of words in a disguised fashion through the usage of euphemisms. Consequently, their message becomes a recurrent theme of conspicuous deception. Elected government representatives deliberately engage in grandiloquent expression conscious of its subversive capacity. The deviancy of euphemisms is guided by social norms that politicians are permitted to exercise in order to safeguard their images. When politicians envelop seemingly good intentions with conscious deception, people are harmed in the process. Those in power transgress justice and commit crimes with their overwhelming command of euphemisms. In fact, euphemisms are utilized as masks, hiding truths under the protective tones of a speaker with a genuine, worthwhile goal. Selective vocabulary is employed to arouse, rationalize and justify. To achieve this end, politicians misrepresent the facts of various political situations by using terms that completely transform or falsify them. Euphemisms are used simplistically in daily conversations. However, where they are used and misused more frequently is in the political arena, in such cases as “soft targets” or “peace keepers” or “collateral damage.” These expressions are heard frequently, while past ones are forgotten and new ones primed in their place as transgressions continue. In this paper, I will make use of Jurgen Habermas’ public sphere theory, a critical theory that demonstrates how the audience’s outlook affects political action. This article will demonstrate the deliberate use of euphemisms in political language both as a cultural element and as one that is constantly changing to suit the ever-changing political arena
Attitudes and motivation of Malaysian secondary students towards learning English as a second language: a case study
No full textThe English Language has always played a significant role in Malaysia’s quest of becoming a developed nation. Despite this, the English proficiency level of Malaysian students is far from satisfactory. What are the reasons for this? Motivational studies have shown that Malaysian students realise the importance of English for their future development and that students are extrinsically motivated by factors such as the desire to get good grades, opportunities to further their studies and career advancement to improve their English. However, in these cases extrinsic motivation does not necessarily translate to better performance in English. Most of these studies were undertaken in tertiary settings. Thus, there is a possibility that secondary school students may not be aware of the importance of English for their future. Conversely, it is also probable that these problems stem from a lack of motivation and poor attitude beginning from secondary school. This paper discusses the findings of a study undertaken to investigate these issues further by carrying out a questionnaire survey on attitudes and motivation of a group of secondary school students in East Malaysia towards learning English as a Second Language. The study reveals an overall positive attitude towards learning English by Art and Science students. Further Science students and higher proficiency students show more interest in improving their English. In addition, the findings reveal a positive relationship between higher proficiency level and positive attitudes and motivation to learn English
Budaya popular dan komunikasi impak kumpulan slank terhadap slankers di Indonesia
No full textBudaya popular Barat sering kali dikaitkan dengan kebudayaan yang bersifat negatif, seperti fahaman budaya tanding termasuk seks bebas, dadah dan alkohol. Gaya hidup kaum muda Barat masuk ke Indonesia melalui media massa seperti MTV, majalah dan bermacam-macam genre muzik. Muzik rock merupakan salah satu genre muzik yang mencetuskan gaya hidup yang menyimpang ini. Kaum muda Indonesia mulai “meniru” gaya hidup kaum muda Barat dengan mengkonsumsi rock sebagai sebahagian daripada budaya tanding, walaupun untuk alasan yang tidak sama. Melalui Slank sebagai contoh, makalah ini menghujah bahawa budaya popular tidak semestinya negatif, malah ia adalah budaya alternatif, yang punyai ciri sendiri, berbeza daripada apa yang telah mapan. Slank merupakan kumpulan muzik rock yang berhasil menepis imej negatif budaya popular menjadi positif. Para peminat kumpulan muzik Slank yang dikenali Slankers mengikuti gaya hidup menyimpang yang dilakukan Slank seperti mengkonsumsi dadah dan alkohol. Seiring bergulirnya waktu, Slank akhirnya meninggalkan gaya hidup rock ‘n’ roll itu dan perubahan ini turut diikuti oleh Slankers. Kini, Slank mencetuskan budaya baru iaitu PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity dan Respect). Pemanfaatan pengaruh ini tentunya menjadi faktor yang mempunyai peranan baik terhadap gaya hidup kaum muda Indonesia terutama Slanker
The effects of gender advertising on brand image: the Malaysian context
No full textIt is said that gender advertising has caused construction of gender ideals in our society. It forms what are the acceptable and non acceptable temperaments, abilities, skills, activities and behaviors of both genders. Gender advertising has also helped form a tool in advertising, namely gender targeting. This research focuses on the relevance use of gender advertising in advertisements, likeability of the use of gender advertising and perception created through gender advertising in relation to the brand image as viewed by the Malaysian consumer. The research is to identify both the positive and negative effects caused by the various means of gender advertising. The use of gender advertising can either make or break a brand image. The recognition of these effects will in turn contribute to positive usage of gender advertising that does not go beyond the purpose of selling brands to consumer. The method employed is the in-depth interview aided with visual representations to 30 respondents of both genders selectively chosen with criteria either they have involved with the product categories chosen or has had prior brand relationships. In conclusion, the results indicated that gender advertising, if used inappropriately will tarnish brand image and will cause brand to be taken lightly as Malaysian consumer today seek concrete information and representation of the brands
The effect of using Islamic education related websites on King Faisal University students' achievement in methods of teaching Islamic education subject
No full textThis study aimed at investigating the effect of using Islamic Education related websites on the King Faisal University students' achievement in methods of teaching Islamic Education subject. It attempted to answer the following question:-What is the effect of using Islamic Education related websites on students' achievement in methods of teaching Islamic Education Subject compared with conventional method? To answer the question of the study, sixty female students in Islamic Education Department, Education Faculty were randomly chosen in the first semester of the academic year 2009/2010. The participants of the study consisted of two assigned sections. The experimental group was taught by using Islamic Education related websites; while the control group was taught according to the conventional method (Lecture Method). The researcher prepared achievement test as the instrument of this study. To establish the validity for the test, the method of content validity was used. Means and standard deviations were computed to compare means of the two groups on the pre and post tests of Islamic education competences. Analysis of covariance ANCOVA was computed to detect any significant differences between the two groups on the Islamic education competences. The results revealed that the achievement of the students in the experimental group significantly improve
Effects of pink guava (Psidium guajava) puree supplementation on antioxidant enzyme activities and organ functions of spontaneous hypertensive rat
No full textThis study was aimed to determine the effects of pink guava (Psidium guajava) puree supplementation on enzyme activities, kidney and liver function tests of Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats (SHR). Twenty-four male SHR were divided into four groups (control, CG (distilled water); low dosage group, LDG (0.5 g/kg body weight); medium dosage group, MDG (1.0 g/kg body weight); high dosage group, HDG (2.0g/kg body weight)). The rats were given pink guava puree via force-feeding and fed rat pellets ad libitum for 28 days in individual cages at 25±2°C. At the end of experiment, the rats were fast overnight (12 to14 h) and euthanized under an anesthetic condition with ether, and blood was collected from the portal vein or posterior vena cava. The specific activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was significantly higher in LDG (2332.5±81.8 U/L), MDG (2424.8±97.1 U/L) and HDG (2594.6±82.8 U/L) respectively, as compared to CG (2171.8±65.9 U/L). Significant differences were also seen in glutathione reductase (GR) activities among all treated groups (LDG (132.5±11.8 U/L), MDG (141.5±16.4 U/L), HDG (148.8±13.2 U/L) compared to CG (126.1±14.2 U/L)). Liver function tests for total antioxidant status (TAS), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) showed significant differences in the treated group compared to control group. In conclusion, this study shows pink guava puree supplementation increase antioxidant enzyme activity in SHR’s blood concentration
Pink guava (psidium guajava) puree supplement on high fat diet-induced obese rats: effects on antioxidant enzyme activities, kidney and liver functions (supplemen puri jambu batu merah (psidium guajava) ke atas tikus teraruh obesiti: kesan terhadap aktiviti enzim antioksidan, fungsi ginjal dan fungsi hati)
No full textIn this study, the effect of pink guava (Psidium guajava) puree supplementation on antioxidant enzyme activities, kidney and liver functions in High Fat Diet (HFD)-induced obese rats was investigated. Thirty male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into control negative (CN) fed with rat pellet; control positive, low, medium and high dose group (CP, LDG, MDG and HDG) were fed High Fat Diet-AIN93G, respectively. CN and CP were given distilled water; while the treated group were given the aqueous puree, at concentration of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight, dissolved in distilled water were administered orally via a drinking bottle, respectively. Pink guava puree was supplemented with the HFD diet for six weeks. The rats were fasted overnight and euthanized under an anesthetic condition with ethyl ether, and blood was collected from the posterior vena cava at the end of experiment. A significant reduction in body weight was observed in the treated groups as compared to CN and CP group. Specific activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of the HFD-induced obese rats were significantly increased in comparison with the CN group. Kidney function test of urea concentration were significantly decreased in HFD-induced obese rats; LDG (4.28±0.69 mmol/L), MDG (4.35±0.87 mmol/L) and HDG (3.85±0.71 mmol/L) as compared to CN (7.02±1.81 mmol/L), respectively. Liver function tests for total protein, globulin, A:G ratio and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) showed significant differences in the treated group compared to CN group. Total protein of MDG (72.67±3.65 g/L) and HDG (76.00±2.49 g/L) were significantly lower compared to CN (80.11±1.98 g/L). Globulin value for LDG (34.17±3.43 g/L), MDG (32.17±1.83 g/L) and HDG (35.00±3.41 g/L) were significantly lower compared to CN (39.67±0.82 g/L). A:G ratio LDG (1.22±0.16), MDG (1.28±0.07) and HDG (1.19±0.14) significantly different compared to CN (1.03±0.08). ALT value for LDG (55.83±15.12 U/L), MDG (50.67±22.65 U/L) and HDG (57.50±8.48 U/L) were significantly lower compared to CN (77.00±16.26 U/L), respectively. In conclusion, pink guava puree supplements seem to be beneficial for increased antioxidant enzyme activities and correcting/ preventing obesity complications in kidney and liver function
Cornsilk improves nutrient content and physical characteristics of beef patties
No full textThe nutrient composition, cooking characteristics and sensory properties of beef patties incorporated with various level of cornsilk were studied. The beef patties were formulated with either 2, 4 or 6% of cornsilk. Protein content increased in line with the cornsilk level in both raw and cooked beef patties. Both raw and cooked patties incorporated with 6% cornsilk recorded the highest protein concentration at 17.2 and 23.3%, respectively. Both raw and cooked patties containing 6% cornsilk recorded the lowest concentration of fat at 12.4 and 11.4%, respectively. All cooked patty samples recorded moisture content ranging from 40.42-42.98%. Beef patty formulated with 6% cornsilk recorded the highest cooking yield at 80.13% compared to other treatments. The addition of cornsilk did not change the sensory properties and consumer acceptability of cornsilk-based beef patties. Cornsilk fibre was effective in improving cooking yield, moisture and fat retention and enhancing texture of beef patties
Ujian ricih terus permukaan satah ketakselanjaran granit (Direct shear test of granite discontinuity plane surfaces)
No full textParameter kekuatan ricih seperti sudut geseran permukaan ketakselanjaran batuan merupakan antara data penting bagi reka bentuk struktur kejuruteraan batuan seperti pengorekan bawah tanah dan cerun potongan. Ujian ricih terus beban normal tetap telah dilakukan pada permukaan buatan potongan gergaji batuan granit segar dan terluluhawa sedikit untuk menentukan sudut geseran asas permukaan satah ketakselanjaran. Sampel granit diperoleh dari Kuari Kajang Rock, Semenyih, Ulu Langat, Selangor, Lebuhraya Silk Kajang (km 14.6), Selangor, Jalan Pos Selim-Kampung Raja (km 30-29), Cameron Highland, Pahang/Perak dan Kuari JKR Bukit Penggorak, Kuantan, Pahang. Sebanyak 84 ujian ricih terus telah dijalankan pada batuan granit iaitu 65 ujian pada batuan segar dan 19 ujian pada batuan terluluhawa sedikit. Untuk batuan granit segar, sudut geseran asas ialah 42° ± 0.6° dengan sisihan piawai sebanyak 2.26 dan pekali penentuan, R2 sebanyak 0.98. Untuk granit terluluhawa sedikit, sudut geseran asas ialah 38° ± 1.9° dengan sisihan piawai sebanyak 3.99 dan pekali penentuan, R2 sebanyak 0.97. Nilai-nilai ini adalah lebih tinggi daripada nilai yang selalu dianggap untuk batuan granit segar iaitu 30°-35°
Pemencilan dan pencirian populasiEimeria tenelladaripada ayam hutan tempatan
No full textEimeria tenella merupakan salah satu daripada tujuh spesies Eimeria yang menjangkiti ayam. Jangkitan parasit ini menyebabkan penyakit koksidiosis yang mendatangkan kerugian ekonomi yang besar kepada industri penternakan ayam. Adalah dipercayai parasit yang terdapat di dalam ayam domestik berasal daripada dan/atau mempunyai kaitan rapat dengan strain yang wujud di dalam ayam hutan. Oleh yang demikian, pencirian spesies Eimeria ini yang dipencil daripada ayam hutan tempatan akan memberi pengetahuan baru bagi meningkatkan pemahaman mengenai biologi parasit ini. Dalam kajian yang dilaporkan di sini, populasi parasit Eimeria AH1 telah dipencil daripada saluran usus ayam hutan tempatan. Berasaskan kepada pasaj bersiri didapati penghasilan oosista populasi AH1 tersebut dalam ayam domestik bergantung kepada umur oosista dan dos jangkitan. Pencirian morfologi pula menunjukkan oosista populasi AH1 berbentuk ovoid dan kebanyakan oosista tersebut mempunyai granul kutub. Nilai dimensi purata bagi oosista populasi AH1 ialah 22.51 (± 0.17) × 17.30 (± 0.14) μm. Saiz oosista populasi AH1 didapati berbeza secara signifikan (p < 0.05) berbanding dengan saiz oosista strain rujukan, E. tenella strain Houghton. Amplifikasi tindak balas berantai polimerase multipleks populasi AH1 menghasilkan jalur bersaiz ~540 pb yang berkolerasi dengan saiz produk yang spesifik untuk E. tenella. Hasil kajian kami ini mengesahkan bahawa populasi Eimeria AH1 yang dipencilkan daripada ayam hutan tempatan, terdiri daripada parasit E. tenella