17362 research outputs found
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Uncovering bacterial leaf blight-resistant genes of rice in some advanced lines through molecular marker analysis and pathogenicity assessment
No full textBacterial leaf blight (BLB), caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is a longstanding and devastating disease in Bangladesh. Despite its prevalence, only one BLB-resistant rice variety has been developed. To address this, we evaluated 40 advanced rice lines to assess their resistance to a highly virulent Xoo strain. We also aimed to identify potential resistant genes linked to this resistance using five sequence-tagged site (STS) markers corresponding to the f4, Xa5, Xa13, Xa21, and Xa23 genes. The pathogenicity tests revealed that one germplasm was highly resistant, five were resistant, ten were moderately resistant, one was moderately susceptible, twelve were susceptible, and eleven were highly susceptible. In the subsequent molecular analysis, we found that 27 germplasms carried the Xa4 gene, 18 carried the Xa5 gene, and only one carried the Xa13 gene. A wide range of gene combinations was observed among the germplasms, with one germplasm carrying three genes and 15 germplasms carrying two genes in various combinations. The highly resistant BLB-P-003 germplasm was found to have a combination of the Xa4, Xa5, and Xa13 genes, making it the most effective against the Xoo strain. The results of this study contribute to the diversification and enrichment of the rice gene pool, highlighting promising candidates for developing durable BLB-resistant rice varieties in Bangladesh. Additionally, using the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) method, we observed a rapid progression of BLB disease in the studied germplasms, underscoring the importance of implementing control measures as soon as symptoms appear in the field
Gender differences in household education expenditure in Malaysia
No full textPurpose – The objective of this study is to examine gender differences in the allocation of household expenditure on education in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach – This study examines the determinants of expenditure on education using a double hurdle model, where the decision to incur education expenditure is modelled first and followed by the decision on how much to spend on education. Findings – The results show evidence of significant gender differences in the allocation of expenditure on education. For young children (4–12 years) and adult (18–23 years), this bias tends to favour females, while for secondary-aged children, the bias is pro-male. Practical implications – These findings may reflect a cultural shift in attitudes towards female education, although the effects are likely to be compounded by a lower completion rate of boys in upper secondary education, a growing concern that cannot be ignored by the government, policymakers or households. Originality/value – This study utilises the Malaysia Household Expenditure Survey (HES) 2022 dataset to make two important contributions. First, conditional on enrolment, it investigates the extent to which there are gender differences at the household level in the allocation of expenditure at every level of education. Second, it examines the model by region and includes intergenerational effects in examining its indirect effects on the gender gap
Kinetic Degradation and colour stability in an aqueous system of spray-dried metal-stabilised amaranth powder encapsulated in different wall materials
No full textThe present study aims to determine the kinetics of chlorophyll degradation and green colour stability of encapsulated copper (Cu)- and zinc (Zn)-amaranth powders stored under accelerated (45°C) and room (25°C) temperature for 16 weeks and six months, respectively. The powders were spray-dried using 10% maltodextrin (DE 10), resistant maltodextrin, N-Octenyl Succinate Anhydride starches (HI-CAP® 100 and CAPSUL®), and gum Arabic (GA). The effects of pH (4 to 8, in the absence of light at 25°C for 24 hours), temperature (40 to 100°C for 90 mins), and light exposure (fluorescent light at 25°C for five days) on the chlorophyll retention and colour stability of the powders in an aqueous system were also explored. The chlorophyll degradation kinetics of the powders followed a first-order reaction model. The Zn-amaranth powder encapsulated with CAPSUL® exhibited the lowest rate constant (k = 2.7 × 10−3 weeks−1) and the highest half-life (t1/2 = 256.72 weeks) under storage at 25°C. The Cu-amaranth powder encapsulated with GA demonstrated the highest greenness value during storage at both 25°C (six months) and 45°C (16 weeks). In the aqueous system, the Cu-amaranth powder encapsulated with GA possessed the highest chlorophyll retention (> 90%) in acidic conditions. Meanwhile, maltodextrin-encapsulated Cu-amaranth powder exhibited better chlorophyll retention and colour stability under light exposure and high temperatures
Assessing Malaysia’s urban security through Emerging Hot Spot Analysis (EHSA): A spatiotemporal investigation of burglary patterns within police jurisdictions of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya, Malaysia
No full textThis study investigates the spatiotemporal patterns of midnight burglary (12 am–6:59 am) across 84 Police Station Boundaries (PSBs) in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya using Emerging Hot Spot Analysis (EHSA). The research addresses critical issues in urban crime dynamics, particularly the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on burglary trends. The objectives include identifying intensifying, diminishing, and other hotspot categories to enhance understanding of spatial crime distributions. A spatiotemporal design, utilizing advanced GIS tools, classifies crime hotspots into nuanced categories, enabling a comprehensive analysis of burglary trends from 2015–2020. Findings reveal significant disparities in burglary intensification in areas such as Kajang (8.60%), Selayang (4.73%), and Klang (4.56%), with diminishing trends observed in regions like Sri Muda. Oscillating and emerging patterns were noted in Kuang and Rawang. Conclusions emphasize the need for targeted, evidence-based law enforcement strategies to mitigate crime risks effectively. The study underscores implications for collaborative urban security policies, advocating for adaptive resource allocation and strategic interventions amidst evolving socio-economic disruptions. This work contributes to criminological literature by demonstrating the utility of EHSA in spatiotemporal crime analysis and informing public safety initiatives
Pemerkasaan kesedaran hak pengguna muslim dalam pendidikan dan penguatkuasaan: Analisis dari prinsip syariah dan undang-undang
No full textMutakhir ini, kemajuan teknologi dunia menyaksikan kerancakan dalam sistem ekonomi dan perdagangan yang semakin pesat membangun. Walaupun perkara ini memberikan impak positif terhadap kestabilan dan daya saing anggota masyarakat, namun tidak dapat dinafikan ianya turut mengakibatkan timbul pelbagai isu kepenggunaan yang semakin kompleks. Sistem pasaran terbuka yang diamalkan dalam era perkembangan dunia kini menyebabkan masyarakat pengguna terdedah kepada manipulasi dan diskriminasi yang membawa kepada pelbagai bentuk kerugian. Oleh dari itu, kajian ini bertujuan untuk mencadangkan pendekatan yang sistematik dalam memperkasakan pendidikan dan penguatkuasaan undang-undang sebagai mekanisme utama bagi meningkatkan tahap kesedaran pengguna Muslim terhadap hak mereka. Bagi mencapai objektif ini, kajian dijalankan menggunakan pendekatan kaedah kualitatif yang dianalisis berdasarkan dapatan data kepustakaan dengan merujuk kepada perbincangan para ulama klasik dan kontemporari serta dokumen perundangan seperti Akta Perlindungan Pengguna 1999 bagi meneliti hak pengguna Muslim dari perspektif Syariah dan undang-undang. Hasil kajian ini mendapati bahawa prinsip dan garis panduan yang telah ditentukan dalam Islam perlu diaplikasikan beserta undang-undang dan dasar yang diambil kerajaan bagi melahirkan pengguna Muslim yang bukan sekadar bijak bahkan faham undang-undang. Keperluan kepada inisiatif yang proaktif dari sudut perspektif dan dimensi yang lebih meluas dalam mendepani perkembangan kepenggunaan yang semakin rancak perlu dilaksanakan secara holistik. Sehubungan dengan itu, kajian ini mencadangkan beberapa langkah dalam membina alternatif melalui pendidikan pengguna Muslim yang lebih sistematik serta penambahbaikan mekanisme penguatkuasaan bagi memastikan hak pengguna terus dilindungi. Ini adalah bagi memastikan sinergi antara pendidikan dan penguatkuasaan yang berlandaskan Syariah dan undang-undang mampu meningkatkan kesedaran serta keberkesanan perlindungan hak pengguna Muslim khususnya di Malaysia.
In the past few years, global advancement in technology has fuelled tremendous growth in economic and financial markets. While these changes have improved society stability and competitiveness, they have also resulted in more complex consumer difficulties. The open market system practised in today’s globalised world exposes consumers to manipulation and discrimination, often leading to various forms of loss. This study seeks to suggest a systematic method for strengthening education and legal enforcement as essential methods to elevate Muslim consumers understanding of their rights. To attain this goal, a qualitative methodology was used, with data evaluated using literature-based findings, which included classical and modern scholarly discourse as well as legal texts such as the Consumer Protection Act of 1999. This was done to analyse Muslim consumer rights from both a Shariah and legal perspective. The findings show that Islamic concepts and standards must be used in conjunction with government-enacted laws and regulations to generate Muslim consumers who are not just intelligent but also legally literate. There is an urgent need for proactive actions from various viewpoints and dimensions to handle the increasingly dynamic consumer market in a comprehensive manner. As a result, this study suggests various strategic initiatives for developing alternatives, including a more comprehensive Muslim consumer education framework and improvements to enforcement mechanisms, to ensure the continuous protection of consumer rights. This synergy between teaching and enforcement, based on both Shariah and legal frameworks, is critical for boosting awareness and improving the efficiency of consumer rights protection, particularly among Malaysia's Muslim community
Contesting sharia and human rights in the digital sphere: Media representations of the caning controversy under the Qanun Jinayat in Aceh
No full textThe controversy surrounding the implementation of Aceh’s Qanun No. 6 of 2014 on Islamic Criminal Law (Qanun Jinayat), particularly regarding corporal punishment through public caning, has been extensively examined from normative and political perspectives. However, scholarly attention remains limited in exploring how this issue is represented and reproduced within digital media spaces, despite the increasing significance of online platforms in shaping public opinion and negotiating legal meaning in a digitalized society. This article analyzes how online media narratives frame the enforcement of Qanun Jinayat and how digital discourses reflect and influence public perceptions of the legitimacy, ethics, and effectiveness of Islamic criminal law amidst tensions between local religious values and universal human rights principles. Employing a ethnographic approach combined with framing discourse analysis, the study examines national and international online news articles published between November 2024 and January 2025, through the lens of three legal dimensions: law in the idea, law in the book, and law in action. The findings reveal stark narrative polarization: local media emphasize religio-cultural legitimacy and procedural legality grounded in special autonomy, while international media and human rights organizations highlight discriminatory practices, inconsistent implementation, and violations of individual rights. This study demonstrates that digital media function not merely as information conduits, but as discursive agents that actively shape, contest, and reconstruct the legal and moral legitimacy of Sharia in contemporary Indonesia. Consequently, Qanun Jinayat must be understood not only as a legal text but as a socially negotiated construct within the digital public sphere
Casticin: A natural flavonoid with promising pharmacological and biological activities
No full textCasticin, a flavonoid extracted from diverse botanical sources, has garnered substantial scientific interest due to its remarkable pharmacological properties and significant therapeutic potential. This review provides an extensive evaluation of casticin’s biological activities, emphasizing its broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects, including antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal. Its anticancer potential is demonstrated by its ability to suppress tumor proliferation, induce apoptosis, and regulate oncogenic pathways. Casticin also exhibits significant antidiabetic properties through enhanced glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, along immunomodulatory capacities that modulate cytokine expression and immune cell function. Additional properties include its antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and wound-healing potential, characterized by enhanced tissue regeneration and angiogenic. Moreover, the review highlights casticins organ-protective potential, i.e., neuro- protective, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, pulmonary, and testicular cryoprotection. The molecular mechanisms underlying these pleiotropic effects have been discussed, particularly its ability to modulate critical signaling pathways and gene expression dynamics. Casticin’s bioavailability, pharma Coki and synergistic potential with other therapeutics further support its promise as a multi-targeted natural compound. This review underscores casticins broad pharmacological spectrum and encourages future research into its clinical applications
Evidence of localized H₂O increases and O₃ recovery in the Antarctic lower stratospheric vortex: MLS observations and BDC variability during late winter to spring
No full textWe examined the interannual variability in ozone (O3) and water vapor (H2O) in the lower stratospheric vortex over Antarctica using 19 years of measurements (2004–2022) from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS). We focused on the period of the southern hemisphere winter (11–20 September), late winter (21–30 September), and spring (1–10 October) because O3 and H2O dynamics show the most variation during these times. We used a low-pass filter to focus on variations lasting 10 days or longer. The Mann Kendall test and regression analysis were employed to identify linear or non-linear trends. Our findings showed that the vortex-average O3 increased at 0.01 ppm yr- 1. In contrast, the vortex-averaged H₂O showed no significant trend, although localized increases in H₂O were significantly obvious across all latitudes. In addition to the well-known effects of the Montreal Protocol, we hypothesize that the localized increase in H₂O is driven by the redistribution of water vapor due to strengthened Brewer-Dobson circulation (BDC) dynamics, characterized by enhanced horizontal transport, which, however, is insufficient to induce significant changes in vortex-averaged H₂O. The observed out-of-phase trend between the vertical and horizontal branches of the BDC serves to validate our BDC speed calculation. These results highlight the complex interplay between dynamics and chemistry in the polar stratosphere, emphasizing that while O₃ recovery continues, localized changes in H₂O do not yet significantly impact the vortex-averaged H₂O levels. Our study provides new insights and observational evidence into the role of BDC dynamics and stratospheric ozone recovery, underscoring the importance of both chemical and dynamic processes in shaping the future evolution of the stratospheric ozone layer
Resistant starch in banana: Influencing factors, functional properties and potential health effects
No full textResistant starch is known as a functional fibred, as it exhibits a similar effect of indigestibility in the gastrointestinal tract. Even so, resistant starch has its distinguished characteristics. This article focused on resistant starch that specifically found in banana, a well-known source of resistant starch type 2, RS2. The intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect the level of resistant starch, as well as the functional properties and potential health benefits of resistant starch, are reviewed based on the findings of past research. Higher amylose level, lower stage of banana maturity, and desirable processing condition is associated with a higher level of resistant starch observed. Bland flavor, small particle size and white are some of the desirable functional properties of resistant starch. Lastly, resistant starch has been demonstrated to provide a satiety effect that aids in body weight management, improves constipation and glycemic control, other than lowers the risk of colon cance
Impact of public opinion noise on Xi'an city image in the new media era: Taking Xi'an release as an example
No full textThe rapid development of the Internet and communication technology has accelerated the pace of change in media technology, especially the rise of the Internet and new media, and the use of media has become increasingly popular, penetrating more deeply into all aspects of social life. Social development and media application are inextricably linked, and the media have changed the way and content of people's social activities to a certain extent. The researcher hopes to deeply understand the influence of public opinion noise on Xi'an's city image in the new media era and takes the official microblog account "Xi'an Release" as a case study to analyse the information release strategy and its role in the construction of the city's image in the new media environment. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, the study analyses the information dissemination behaviours of "Xi'an Releases" in different public events and the online public opinion reactions they triggered and further explores how this public opinion noises affect the public perception of Xi'an's city image. Specifically, the study applies content analysis, sentiment analysis, case study, and regression modeling to examine both the media outputs and the public response patterns. The study finds that the public opinion noise on the new media platform not only spreads quickly but also amplify the impact of negative information. Public opinion noise increases Xi'an's exposure to a certain extent but also brings about diversified interpretations of the city's image and potentially creates short-term and even long-term negative effects on the city's image. However, through effective public opinion guidance and information management, government official media can mitigate these negative effects to a certain extent. The researcher provides a new perspective for understanding the complexity of urban image management in the new media era and offers strategic suggestions for how governments and city managers can effectively use new media tools for urban image building