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Capital budgeting analysis and government tax incentives intervention of paddy non-granary area in Peninsular Malaysia
No full textRice has been a staple food in Malaysia. Besides, paddy is among the food crop sub sector which has always been as an especial core attention for the government. The present study evaluates the capital budgeting and investigates the effect on Government tax incentives to the project assessment of paddy industry in non-granary areas. Financial appraisal of Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Profitability Index (PI) and Payback Period (PP) are the selected indicators in capital budgeting approach. According to the results, paddy projects in nongranary area is financially viable where all financial indicators provide lucrative values. The project may be sustained with the proper profitability even though the distortion of revenue and costs are existed during the project. Since the project drags potential assessment in terms of financial appraisal, the more attention is suggested for the government to encourage the non-granary area to be part of paddy concern in Malaysia
Treatment of malachite green dye-contaminated wastewater via photolysis treatment process
No full textA photodegradation experiment was performed in a batch photoreactor, and concentration reduction and degradation efficiency were calculated from absorbance values obtained using an ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer. The effects of different operational parameters were studied. The effects of various UV wavelengths were investigated using different types of UV irradiation, UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. UV-C, which has the shortest wavelength and therefore the highest energy, was the most effective UV irradiation to degrade malachite green (MG) molecules, resulting in 88% degradation after 3 h of irradiation. Increasing the dye's initial concentration resulted in reduced degradation rates. The highest degradation was at 20 ppm (92.2%), while the lowest was at 100 ppm (61.9%). The photodegradation rate was better at neutral pH (95.6%) compared to acidic pH (84.2%). Longer irradiation time resulted in increasing degradation efficiency of MG. Due to the incomplete mineralisation of the dye after photolysis, COD and TOC content decreased only by 3.7% and 8%, respectively. Meanwhile, BOD analysis increased after photolysis, proving that photolysis is an efficient pre-treatment method before biological treatment. Reaction kinetic studies indicated that all experiments conformed to first-order kinetics, and the degradation rate constants were between 0.0054 min-1 and 0.0171 min-1 , with correlation coefficients ranging between 0.9286 to 0.9938
Government policy responses and stock liquidity: covid-19 pandemic
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused huge disruptions in global economies, and a government is needed to implement different degrees of stringency measures to prevent the virus’s spread. This study examines the impact of government policy responses on stock liquidity in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample period covered from January 2, 2020 to June 30, 2022, comprising 890 publicly traded stocks, disaggregated into 539 large and 351 small capital stocks. The pooled ordinary least squares results show that the government policy announcement has significantly improved liquidity in Malaysia’s financial market. Hence, our findings demonstrate that restrictions and policies taken by the government are important for policymakers and financial institutions to mitigate liquidity challenges amidst heightened uncertainty and market volatility during the coronavirus outbreak
Treatment of malachite green dye-contaminated wastewater via photolysis treatment process
No full textA photodegradation experiment was performed in a batch photoreactor, and concentration reduction and degradation efficiency were calculated from absorbance values obtained using an ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer. The effects of different operational parameters were studied. The effects of various UV wavelengths were investigated using different types of UV irradiation, UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. UV-C, which has the shortest wavelength and therefore the highest energy, was the most effective UV irradiation to degrade malachite green (MG) molecules, resulting in 88% degradation after 3 h of irradiation. Increasing the dye's initial concentration resulted in reduced degradation rates. The highest degradation was at 20 ppm (92.2%), while the lowest was at 100 ppm (61.9%). The photodegradation rate was better at neutral pH (95.6%) compared to acidic pH (84.2%). Longer irradiation time resulted in increasing degradation efficiency of MG. Due to the incomplete mineralisation of the dye after photolysis, COD and TOC content decreased only by 3.7% and 8%, respectively. Meanwhile, BOD analysis increased after photolysis, proving that photolysis is an efficient pre-treatment method before biological treatment. Reaction kinetic studies indicated that all experiments conformed to first-order kinetics, and the degradation rate constants were between 0.0054 min-1 and 0.0171 min-1 , with correlation coefficients ranging between 0.9286 to 0.9938
Evaluation of Groundwater Potential Zones in Sg. Seguntor, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia by using the Geographical Information System (GIS) Method
No full textThis study was conducted to determine the groundwater potential zone by using the Geographical Information System (GIS) method in Sungai Seguntor, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia, and its surroundings. The study area consists of Sandakan Formation, Volcanic Breccia and Quaternary Alluvium. The ArcGIS 10.5 and Global Mapper software was used in this study. Eight thematic maps have been produced; lithological map, rainfall map, drainage density map, lineament density map, soil type map, landuse map, elevation map and slope steepness map. GIS methods were used during the spatial analysis stage. All the thematic maps are weighted based on their emphasis on the existence of groundwater. During the map integration stage, the Raster Calculator is used based on the Eigen Vector of each parameter. The final map produced shows that almost 30% of the study area has high groundwater potential, most of which are in lowland alluvium areas with relatively high drainage density. This final map also shows significant results with tube well data obtained from the Department of Minerals and Geosciences, Sabah, Malaysia
Recent advances in detection techniques and chemometric methods for identifying adulterants in milk and dairy products
No full textMilk adulteration poses a significant threat to food safety, driven by increasing global demand for milk and dairy products, particularly in developing countries. Supply limitations, compounded by challenges like pandemics and livestock diseases such as mastitis, often lead to unethical practices that compromise product quality and consumer health. Adulterants, including preservatives, non-milk fats, thickening agents, nitrogen-based compounds, and surfactants, are intentionally added to mimic natural properties or enhance the solid-not-fat (SNF) content of milk. Advanced detection techniques, such as spectroscopy, chromatography, biosensors (protein and DNA-based), and electromigration methods like SDS-PAGE, have emerged as critical tools for identifying these adulterants. Innovative approaches, including electrical sensors like electronic noses and tongues, further enhance detection accuracy. This study highlights recent advancements in instrumental techniques alongside the pivotal role of chemometric methods in analyzing complex datasets, improving precision, and ensuring reliable detection, offering insights into current progress, challenges, and opportunities in safeguarding milk integrity
Effect of Al₂O₃, RHF, and RHA on gamma shielding and mechanical properties of TeO₂-Based glass using Phy-X/PSD
No full textRadiation attenuation behaviour of TeO₂–ZnO–Bi₂O₃–Na₂O–Er₂O₃ with the addition of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (NP), rice husk fibre (RHF), and rice husk ash (RHA) was investigated using Phy-X/PSD software. The mass attenuation coefficients of the chosen glasses were measured from 0.015 to 3 MeV. The results showed that increasing the RHF concentration of the glasses or decreasing the Al₂O₃ component of the glass system enhances the mass attenuation coefficient of the material. At low energy, there is a significant difference between the mass attenuation coefficients values of the samples with the lowest and highest Al₂O₃ content, where the difference is 0.05118 cm2/g at 0.015 MeV. TZNERHF had higher mass attenuation coefficients (0.05402 cm2/g), and TZNETiAl8 had the highest mass attenuation coefficients, with a value of 0.05357 cm2/g at 1.173 MeV. The results showed a decreasing trend in the half-value layer (HVL), tenth value layer (TVL), and mean free path (MFP) when the density increased from 5.12555 to 5.23882 g/cm3 and attenuation ability improved. Subsequently, the influence of Al₂O₃ on Zeff values became more considerable as Zeff values increased. The shielding qualities of their glass samples are also superior to commercial window glass and common shielding concrete. Thus, the glass samples can be used with excellent advantage as radiation shielding materials. The findings showed that adding RHF and lower Al₂O₃ enhanced the studied samples' radiation shielding properties. The results show that the TZNERHF glass sample has the highest mechanical properties. Thus, the TZNERHF sample is better than the other glass samples
Effects of methiopropamine on cognitive function and monoaminergic systems in mice
No full textMethiopropamine (MPa), a novel psychoactive substance (NPs) similar to methamphetamine (Meth), warrants investigation into its neurotoxic effects on cognitive function and behaviors due to limited existing research. therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects of MPa on several behavioral parameters in mice, brain levels of monoamine neurotransmitters, and p-eRK1/2 expression. Mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) which received daily intraperitoneal injections of either saline, 1 or 3 mg/kg of MPa, or 1 mg/kg of Meth for 7 days. the novel object recognition test (NORt) revealed a significant decline in recognition memory, particularly evident at a dose of 3 mg/kg of MPa, similar to Meth at 1 mg/kg, observed 24 h post-withdrawal. MPa at 3 mg/kg also impaired working and reference memory performance in the 8-arm radial maze (8-aRM) test and exhibited an anxiolytic effect in the open field test (OFt). these cognitive impairments were accompanied by decreased dopaminergic parameters and p-eRK1/2 expression within the prefrontal cortex (PFc). this further suggests that MPa neurotoxicity is targeted at the dopaminergic transmission in the PFc. in conclusion, MPa consumption is associated with memory impairment, which is attributable to dopaminergic deficits and reduced p-eRK1/2 activities in the PFc
Paroxysmal autonomic instability with dystonia (PAID) syndrome: A rare occurrence
No full textParoxysmal autonomic instability with dystonia (PAID) is still under- recognized in clinical settings due to its rarity. This syndrome may mimic certain life-threatening conditions. We present a rare case of PAID syndrome. A 45-year-old female was brought to the hospital with an altered level of consciousness. An urgent computed tomography of the brain was performed, and a diagnosis of obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to cerebellar hemorrhage was made. Her family refused major surgery but consented to cerebrospinal fluid diversion. However, after several days in the ward, she developed ventriculitis. She was successfully treated with intravenous ceftriaxone. After several weeks at home, she developed episodic attacks of hypertension, tachycardia, and diaphoresis with hyperthermia and diaphoresis. She also had episodes of restlessness and generalized dystonic movements. She was diagnosed with PAID syndrome, and treatment was initiated. Her symptoms were successfully treated after three days
Genomic analysis and molecular profiling of dengue viruses in Sabah, Malaysia, during 2019-2020
No full textObjectives: Limited information is available on the distribution of dengue virus (DENV) serotypes and genotypes in Borneo, particularly in Sabah, as most studies have focused on Peninsular Malaysia. This study aimed to investigate the serological and molecular epidemiological characteristics of DENV in patients from Sabah. Methods: Serum samples were collected from febrile patients in Kota Kinabalu and Lahad Datu between 2019 and 2020 at the Kota Kinabalu Public Health Laboratory. We performed virus isolation, serological testing, viremia quantification, and complete genome sequencing. Results: Among 188 serum samples, 89 tested positive for DENV by RT-qPCR: 20 DENV-1, 46 DENV-2, 20 DENV-3, and 1 DENV-4. A total of 38 viruses were successfully isolated. Isolates belonged to DENV-1 (Genotypes I and IV), DENV-2 (Cosmopolitan genotype), and DENV-3 (Genotypes I and III). Phylogenetic analysis revealed close relationships with strains from Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. DENV-2 was the predominant serotype, while the highest viremia levels were observed in DENV-3-infected patients. Conclusions: This study provides the first detailed phylogenetic and complete genome analysis of DENV in Sabah. Continued molecular surveillance is essential to enhance our understanding of dengue transmission and to support effective control strategies