17362 research outputs found
Sort by
Effect of triphala on growth, immunity, related gene expression and intestinal morphometry of yellow perch (Perca flavescens).
No full textThe current study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of Triphala (TR) on yellow perch (Perca flavescens) growth performance, immune response, related gene expression, and intestinal histological structure. The experimental design included four groups: one control group (0% TR/ kg diet) and three TR-supplemented groups with 2, 4, and 6%/kg diet for four weeks and each group was allocated in triplicates with 30 fish each. Sampling included three fish from each replicate for evaluating immune response and gene expression. Findings showed that Triphala markedly improved growth performance, Immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels, lysozyme activity, and Nitric Oxide (NO) activity with the most significant (p < 0.05) results for 6% TR/kg diet group. The TR groups also showed significantly decreased glucose and cortisol concentrations with the lowest values for the 6% TR/kg diet group. Moreover, TR-incorporated groups revealed significantly upregulated expression (p < 0.05) of growth [Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1)] and immune [Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M), Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and Complement Component C3 (CCC3)] genes in incorporated groups, specially the 6% TR group. Moreover, the intestinal morphometric histological analysis revealed that villus length was increased in a dose-dependent manner, coping with other enhanced parameters. Current results endorse the positive effects of Triphala incorporation on yellow perch farming as a safe alternative option to enhance growth performance, immune response, related gene expression, and intestinal histology
Determining location models for offline Micro-Entrepreneurs in Sabah using personal decision support systems
No full textSelecting proper site is a significant challenge for offline microentrepreneurs in Sabah, where socio-economic factors complicate decision-making and intuition-based approaches often lead to financial losses. This paper proposes a Personal Decision Support System (PDSS) framework that integrates location models to guide informed site selection decisions. A mixed-methods approach, including interviews, observations, and archival research, was used for data collection. Key findings show that PDSS reduces the risk of poor location decisions and boosts profitability by replacing subjective judgment
An injectable composite hydrogel enhances bone regeneration by rescuing impaired mitochondrial biogenesis and fusion of BMSCs under inflammatory conditions
No full textThe treatment of severe bone defects remains an unresolved clinical challenge. Injectable hydrogels loaded with drugs or growth factors are considered to offer substantial benefits in the regeneration of bone defects with irregular shapes under complex pathological microenvironments. In this study, an all-silk-derived composite hydrogel was developed for bone regeneration. The methacrylated silk fibroin (SilMA) hydrogel was fabricated for in situ injection and photocuring to serve as a supporting matrix, with the incorporation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to promote the migration and pre-differentiation of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) during the early stage, and silk fibroin (SF) microspheres encapsulating berberine (BBR) to regulate BMSCs osteogenesis over an extended period. The composite hydrogels were demonstrated to promote BMSCs osteogenesis by upregulating mitochondrial biogenesis and fusion. Additionally, it was indicated that the impaired osteogenic activity and mitochondrial dynamics of BMSCs under inflammatory conditions can be reversed through the addition of SF-BBR microspheres. Rat calvarial defect repair experiments using the composite hydrogels showed remarkable bone regeneration and an increase in the local mitochondrial quantity. These findings suggest that the SilMA hydrogel compositing with PRP and SF-BBR microspheres shows great potential for bone regeneration through modulating mitochondrial function
Bioconversion of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches into Lactic Acid via Lactobacillus acidophilus
No full textThe production of lactic acid (LA), a key precursor for poly-lactic acid (PLA) as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, is gaining significant industrial and environmental attention. This study evaluates the potential of utilizing oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFBs), an abundant lignocellulosic agro-industrial waste, for lactic acid production through fermentation. A separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) process was employed using Lactobacillus acidophilus A1 ATCC 4356, chosen for its ability to optimize enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation independently, thereby enhancing process efficiency. Fermentation conditions, including inoculum size, temperature and time, were systematically optimized to achieve maximum lactic acid yield. Under optimal conditions (35 °C, 10% (v/v) inoculum, 120 h), the process yielded 6.49 g/L of lactic acid, corresponding to an impressive 94% conversion efficiency. This high yield demonstrates the feasibility of EFBs as a low-cost, renewable feedstock for industrial-scale lactic acid production, reducing dependence on traditional sugar- or starch-based substrates. This study highlights the potential of SHF with L. acidophilus to transform agricultural residues into valuable biochemical, advancing the circular bioeconomy and waste valorization initiatives
Bridging the compliance gap: A literature review on money laundering challenges and the role of frontline officers in Malaysian commercial banks
No full textMoney laundering remains a pressing concern in the financial sector, especially within commercial banks. Despite the presence of detailed regulatory frameworks such as the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and the Financial Services Act 2013, many financial institutions still face considerable penalties for failing to comply. This paper offers a thorough review of the existing research on money laundering in Malaysia, focusing on key cases, regulatory measures and the challenges faced by institutions. A notable gap exists between following policies and the actual awareness of frontline bank officers, who act as the first point of contact with customers. Although Malaysia has made progress in strengthening its anti-money laundering system, research remains limited regarding how prepared and effective these officers are. The paper emphasizes the need for targeted training, improved internal controls and clearer instructions from regulators to help detect and report suspicious transactions more effectively. To protect the integrity of Malaysia’s financial system and sustain public trust, it concludes with suggestions for enhancing the role of frontline personnel
Beyond the surface: A screening-based analysis of family health, psychological well-being, and social support in student mental health
No full textStudent mental health is facing a growing crisis, with rising rates of psychological distress and suicide reported among university populations in Indonesia. This study investigates the influence of three key psychosocial factors—family health, psychological well-being, and social support—on student mental health. A total of 140 university students were selected using an accidental sampling technique. Mental health was assessed using the GHQ-28, psychological well-being was measured with the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB), social support was evaluated using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and family health was assessed through the Family Health Scale–Long Form. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression to determine both the individual and combined effects of the predictor variables on student mental health outcomes. The results revealed a significant combined effect of family health, psychological well-being, and social support on student mental health (p = 0.000, R = 0.620, R² = 38.4%). When examined individually, family health (p = 0.000) and psychological well-being (p = 0.049) were significant predictors, while social support was not (p = 0.405). However, a post-hoc analysis showed that family-based social support had a statistically significant impact on student mental health (p = 0.001). The novelty of this study lies in its holistic approach, which integrates three major psychosocial predictors within a culturally grounded framework while emphasizing the need for university-based mental health screening systems. The findings underscore the critical role of campuses as supportive microsystems in promoting student mental health through preventive strategies, early detection, and responsive programming. Developing a psychologically safe and inclusive learning environment is essential to improving students’ overall well-being
Kadazandusun language politeness in IPG student lectures
No full textKadazandusun language politeness from Sudawil (poetry) traditional Kadazandusun poetry, dislike of honesty (Norjietta Taisin, 2014). Comply to the rules of communication and avoid impolite speech (Fraser & Nolen, 1981). This study examines the Kadazandusun language politeness of six lecturers and nine students in lectures. Before conducting the interview, the researcher made an appointment with the participants to determine the time to observe the lecturer conducting a lecture with the IPG students. Interviews were recorded in audio and entered into Nvivo 12 plus to be interpreted to obtain themes, categories and coding. The findings of the study show that lecturers and students think that politeness in Kadazandusun language helps in the usage of politeness in Kadazandusun language in lectures with a polite attitude, voice and intonation, polite and elegant choice of words and sentences, greetings, correct calls and appropriate language style. In this study, a sub-theme that contributes to the formation of lecture themes related to aspects of Kadazandusun politeness has been formed from the knowledge and experience of lecturers and students who consequentially use Kadazandusun politeness during lectures. A discussion about the use of politeness in Kadazandusun in lectures and suggestions to increase the potential use of politeness in Kadazandusun
Prowling through palm: Exploring spatial patterns of male Sunda leopard cats across two oil palm plantations in Kinabatangan, Sabah
No full textIndustrial oil palm plantations are a major driver of biodiversity loss in South- east Asia, alongside other industries like pulpwood production and logging activities that expedite habitat fragmentation and destruction. Despite this, some native species are highly adaptable within these environments. Our study investigates the space use of leopard cats (Prionailurus Javanese's) within oil palm plantations adjacent to degraded forest fragments in the Kinabatangan floodplain, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. From March to September 2020, we cap- trued and collared four male cats with Global Positioning System collars, accu- mulating a total of 13,206 successful locational points. We estimated the home ranges using the Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) and Adaptive Localized Convex Hull (a-Loco) methods. The average home ranges were 8.60 km 2 ± 1.98 (±SD) [95% MCP] and 5.39 km2 ± 1.23 [95% a-Loco], with corresponding core areas of 2.55 km 2 ± 0.99 (±SD) [50% MCP] and 1.05 km 2 ± 0.30 [50% a-Loco]. The home ranges of male leopard cats over- lapped (7% to 28%), while core areas remained exclusive. Despite significant variations in individual habitat use, these cats were detected more frequently in oil palm habitat, occupying 80.89% of their home range and 78.38% of core area. These cats relied more on buffer zones contiguous to plantation area rather than adjacent secondary forests, highlighting the importance of preserve- Ing High Conservation Value (HCV) forests
The impact of work-life integration flexibility and authentic leadership on work engagement: The mediating role of basic psychological needs among Malaysian academicians
No full textThis study focuses on basic psychological needs as potential mediator in the relationship between authentic leadership inventory, work-life integration flexibility and work engagement through the supportive of Self-determination Theory (SDT) among academicians in the Malaysian higher education sector. According to SDT, people experience higher levels of intrinsic motivation and engagement when their underlying psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness are satisfied. Although work-life flexibility is assumed to foster autonomy, authentic leadership attends to all three of these psychological needs via the qualities associated with authentic leaders, which are high levels of self-awareness, relational transparency, internalized moral perspective, balanced processing. Employing a quantitative methodology, the study surveyed a sample of 120 academicians in universities, university colleges and colleges in Malaysia. SmartPLS was conducted to analyze the effects of the variables on one another. The results show that relational transparency, internalized moral perspective, and balanced processing are significant predictors of work engagement. Furthermore, indirect effects analysis shows that basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) fully mediate the effect of work-life integration flexibility on work engagement and partially mediate the effect of authentic leadership inventory on work engagement. But the roles of self-awareness and flexibility in work-life integration did not prove significant. The findings highlight that work life flexibility plays in isolation of this context and the importance of leaders who act in an ethical, inclusive and transparent manner to fuel engagement amongst academic staff. The findings provide context-specific contributions to the literature by situating the factors involved within the framework of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) within the context of the Malaysian academia. The implications for institutional policies and leadership development programs are discussed along with suggested future research to test psychological mediators and conduct cross- cultural comparisons
Optimization of microalgae cultivation and CO2 capture in a three-stage bubble column photobioreactor: Evaluation of control strategies
No full textGlobal energy consumption is rising and worries about the depletion of fossil fuels and unchecked carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions make the switch to sustainable energy sources urgent. Due to their fast growth rates with high CO2 fixation, efficient nutrient removal from wastewater such as palm oil mill effluent, and lower cultivation area needs compared to traditional energy crops, microalgae, known for their adaptability, present a viable renewable energy alternative. To maximize microalgae growth in a photobioreactor system and specifically target the capture of high CO2 emissions from waste flue gases in the palm oil industry, this study focuses on evaluating Proportional-integral (PI) control strategies for such a purpose. The results show that algal productivity and CO2 capture efficiency depend critically on flue gas flow rate, CO2 inflow molar percentage, and higher dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. The hindering factors on algae growth are the elevated DO levels, highlighting the necessity of an efficient control strategy to reduce the generated DO in the medium. One such strategy’s implementation resulted in up to 75 % CO2 capture efficiency, or a 2 % CO2 molar fraction in the headspace, along with significant algal growth and specific productivity, suggesting possible uses in the generation of biodiesel or biobutanol. The microalgae-specific productivity and the carbon capture efficiency were better balanced by including control techniques to lower DO levels. The study highlighted the importance of creating customized control systems to maximize the delicate opposing trends between CO2 capture and microalgae production in sustainable energy applications