103790 research outputs found
Sort by
UPM pupuk peranan pereka dalam isu keterjaminan makanan melalui Road To SEED 2025
Get PDFSERDANG, 3 Februari – Fakulti Rekabentuk dan Senibina (FRSB), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) menganjurkan Road to SEED 2025: Industrial Dialogue and Design Seminar bagi mempromosikan inovasi industri reka bentuk dalam menyokong keterjaminan makanan
Effectiveness of online project-based learning on Chinese EFL learners’ critical thinking skills and reading comprehension ability
No full textCritical thinking skills (CTS) and reading comprehension ability (RCA) are crucial for academic success among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. However, many Chinese college EFL learners face challenges in developing these skills due to traditional instructional methods that prioritize teacher-centered learning and rote memorization. Grounded in sociocultural theory (SCT) and Critical Thinking Framework, this study investigates the effectiveness of an online Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach integrated with critical thinking (hereafter referred to as “online PBL”) in enhancing CTS and RCA among Chinese college EFL learners. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the PBL teaching steps and the reliability of the measurement instruments. Following this, an 11-week quasi-experiment was implemented. The experimental group participated in online PBL, emphasizing student-driven projects, problem solving, and the explicit application of CTS. In contrast, the comparison group followed the
traditional Presentation-Practice-Production (PPP) method, which focuses on structured, teacher led presentations and practice. Pre- and post-tests using the International Critical Thinking Reading and Writing Test (ICTRWT) were employed to assess learners’ CTS and RCA. Data analysis through multivariate repeated measures ANOVA indicated statistically significant improvements in the experimental group’s CTS and RCA compared to the comparison group, with moderate to large effect sizes. These findings support the effectiveness of integrating online tools with critical thinking and PBL methodologies in EFL contexts, although the study is limited by its small sample size and single post-test assessment
Extraction of anthocyanins and other phenolics from dried blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) pomace via ultrasonication
Get PDFBlackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) pomaces are rich in phenolic compounds, particularly anthocyanins yet often discarded as waste during juice processing. The heat-sensitive phenolic compounds such as anthocyanins, unavoidably, degrade due to higher temperatures and longer times during conventional extraction methods. Typically, organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol, and acetone were used to extract the phenolic compounds from dried blackcurrant pomaces (DBP). The necessity for employing substantial amounts of solvents in conventional extraction methods, such as water baths, resulted in health hazards and environmental pollution. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasonication (US) and water bath (WB) extraction time on the anthocyanins composition, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity of DBP extracts. The DBP powders were mixed with 50 % ethanol in the beaker (1:40, w/v) and extracted for 5 − 30 min using ultrasonication at 50 % amplitude and a water bath at 180 rpm. The extracts were further analyzed using the HPLC analysis, Folin-Ciocalteu method, flavonoid content, DPPH, and FRAP assays. As a result, ultrasonication only required 10 min to produce ∼27 % higher total anthocyanins (37.15 ± 0.71 mg/g) than the water bath at 20 min (26.97 ± 0.18 mg/g), while the highest TPC (38.02 ± 0.24 mg GAE/g) and TFC (38.83 ± 1.41 mg CE/g) were recorded at 20 min. Also, a significantly higher (p < 0.05) DPPH inhibition (52.76 ± 0.90 %) and reducing power (352.60 ± 7.64 µmol TE/g) were detected after 25 min of ultrasonication. Overall, ultrasonication is suitably used as an alternative to conventional extraction, where the natural colorant obtained from DBP extracts could be potentially utilized in commercial food applications. © 2025 The Author
Optimization of medium formulations for biomass vaccine production of gdhA derivative Pasteurella multocida B:2 using statistical experimental design
No full textThe glutamate dehydrogenase (gdhA) gene of a pathogenic Pasteurella multocida B:2 was successfully inactivated to create an attenuated strain as a vaccine candidate against hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) in ruminants. This study presents a novel approach to optimizing the medium formulation for high-throughput mass production of a gdhA-inactivated P. multocida B:2, which is critical for scaling up vaccine production. Using response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design (CCD), we systematically investigated the effects of various medium components on biomass yield. Yeast extract, glucose, sodium chloride, and sodium phosphate were identified as critical factors, with yeast extract demonstrating a significant enhancement in biomass production, yielding 2.03 ± 0.15 mg/mL, compared to traditional peptone (1.30 ± 0.26 mg/mL) and inorganic nitrogen sources like ammonium chloride and ammonium sulfate (<1.0 mg/mL). Among carbon sources, glucose paired with yeast extract produced the highest biomass, while sucrose, white sugar, and soluble starch had minimal effects. Optimization through CCD identified the ideal concentrations of yeast extract, glucose, NaCl, and NaH₂PO₄ as 15.64 g/L, 1.91 g/L, 3.06 g/L, and 2.48 g/L, respectively, resulting in a 35% increase in biomass yield to 3.10 mg/mL. Yeast extract was the key driver of growth, with optimal concentrations between 5 and 20 g/L, while excess glucose, NaCl, and NaH₂PO₄ inhibited growth. Statistical analysis revealed that the quadratic polynomial model fit the data well (R2 = 0.8440, model F-value = 5.80, p < 0.05). The novelty of this study lies in the optimization of a medium that significantly improves biomass production compared to conventional formulations, providing a cost-effective and efficient solution for scaling up the production of attenuated P. multocida B:2. This optimized medium holds promise for advancing vaccine development against HS
Heat stress-induced heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expressions among vulnerable populations in urban and rural areas Klang Valley, Malaysia
No full textBACKGROUND: As climate change raises global temperatures, there remains a notable gap in understanding the body’s mechanisms of heat stress defense exhibited by Heat Shock Protein (HSP) within the populations.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the expression level of HSP70 in response to indoor heat exposure among vulnerable populations in both urban and rural settings.
METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional was conducted among 108 participants from urban and rural areas in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The study included face-to-face interviews, indoor heat exposure monitoring, and thermal stress classification using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). HSP70 gene and protein expressions were analyzed using reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and HSP70 High Sensitivity Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), respectively. RESULTS: Urban areas experienced signficantly higher UTCI heat exposure levels than rural areas (p < 0.001). In response to heat stress, vulnerable populations in urban areas exhibited higher HSP70 gene relative expression and HSP70 protein expression. A significant mean difference in the plasma HSP70 protein expression was observed between the two groups (p < 0.001). The linear mixed model (LMM) revealed a significant association between UTCI heat exposure levels and HSP70 gene and protein expression in both groups (p < 0.001)
Zeolite based foamed geopolymer concrete reinforced with Cellulose Nanofibril prepared in low concentration alkaline solution: Porosity, compressive strength, and water permeability
No full textFoamed geopolymer concrete is known for its sustainability and environmentally friendly attributes. However, it typically employs high concentrations of alkaline solution, ranging between 8M and 16M, thereby raising concerns about its high cost and negative impacts on humans and the environment. This study validates the geopolymerisation process of zeolite based foamed geopolymer concrete reinforced with Cellulose Nanofibril, prepared in low concentration of Potassium Hydroxide solution below 2M. This study also evaluates the geopolymer's properties in porosity, compressive strength, and water permeability. The alkaline solution used consists of seawater, Potassium Silicate, Potassium Hydroxide, and Potassium Chloride. Hydrogen Peroxide is used as foaming agents while Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate and Benzalkonium Chloride served as surfactants, with Cellulose Nanofibril as reinforcement for the foamed geopolymer concrete. Following mixing using a high shear stirrer and curing in an ambient temperature of 30 °C for a day, geopolymerization of samples was confirmed through immersion in boiling water, X-ray Diffraction analysis, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis. Response Surface Methodology on porosity revealed that the terms Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate/Benzalkonium Chloride and Hydrogen Peroxide/Cellulose Nanofibril had p-values of 0.000, while terms Seawater/Potassium Silicate and Potassium Hydroxide/Potassium Chloride had p-values of 0.360 and 0.279, respectively. A combination of high Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate and Hydrogen Peroxide yielded samples with porosity >45%. At maximized Hydrogen Peroxide, increasing concentration of Potassium Hydroxide solution increases the porosity up to 35%–40%. Additionally, the presence of Potassium Chloride in geopolymer slurry stabilized by surfactant Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate resulted in higher porosity. Optimization analysis predicted a porosity of 61.460% which was validated experimentally with an acceptable margin of error. Increasing the concentration of Potassium Hydroxide solution was found to result in higher porosity, higher compressive strength, and higher water permeability. Increasing the Cellulose Nanofibril content leads to a decrease in porosity and water permeability but an increase in compressive strength. As a result, this study revealed that optimizing the composition of geopolymer prepared in low concentration alkaline solution is critical for balancing the porosity, compressive strength, and water permeability, offering insights for cleaner production practice for construction materials
