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FIC@UPM 2025 beri pendedahan pelajar UA dalam industri makanan
Get PDFSERDANG, 15 Okt – Program Food Innovation Challenge (FIC@UPM 2025) membuka peluang kepada pelajar Universiti Awam (UA) dalam bidang Sains dan Teknologi Makanan bagi meneroka potensi sebenar industri makanan melalui inovasi, kolaborasi dan jaringan profesional
The ‘Nirai’ guitar (‘Ichigo Ichie’) of Okinawa, Japan
Get PDFThe ‘nirai’ instrument is a mix of ‘sanshin’ and guitar. In this study, the sound was analysed with a PicoScope oscilloscope. The ‘sanshin’ tuning is a fifth, root, and fifth. In the key of C, these notes are G, C, G (GCG). When a low C is added in ‘nirai’ it makes the tuning a root, fifth, root, fifth. The ‘nirai’ was tuned to the key of G; the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st string was G2 (100 Hz), D3 (147 Hz), G3 (197 Hz), and D4 (296 Hz). String 4, 3, 2 and 1 displayed 25, 25, 19 and 12 partials frequencies, respectively. The 24th, 17th and 13th harmonics are missing in string 4, 3 and 2. The difference in numbers of partials reflect dissimilar timbre. The findings provide information on hybrid instruments. Understanding of musical aspects aspires to modern, creative and technological demands by looking at the design, construction, and cultural importance. The results contribute to creating new hybrid instruments that blend the sounds, styles and aesthetics of other musical traditions, making them more widely available. By informing educational initiatives, instrument production and performance techniques, these findings can foster innovation and cultural preservation in the world of music
Leather waste into functional materials: composite nanoarchitectonics, energy systems, and environmental applications
Get PDFThe global leather industry generates large volumes of chromium (Cr)-containing solid waste, creating significant environmental risks to water systems and public health. This mini review highlights recent advances in converting leather residues into high-value materials for water purification and sustainable energy applications. Activated carbon (AC) derived from leather waste has demonstrated superior adsorption performance for heavy metals, dyes, and emerging contaminants, with removal efficiencies exceeding 95% for Cr and pharmaceutical compounds. Integration of leather-based carbons with photocatalysts such as BiOX and TiO₂ has enabled efficient photodegradation of industrial pollutants, supporting low-cost treatment of tannery effluents. In parallel, leather-derived collagen fibers have been engineered into triboelectric nanogenerators and battery electrodes, achieving open-circuit voltages of up to 231 V and specific capacitances of 550 F/g. These technologies demonstrate the potential of leather waste as a renewable feedstock for clean energy generation and storage. Key challenges remain in Cr stabilization, standardization of processing protocols, and scaling up pilot studies to industrial levels. Future work should integrate life-cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analyses (TEA) to ensure safe, cost-effective deployment. By focusing on water remediation and energy harvesting, this review establishes a circular economy framework where leather waste transitions from an environmental liability to a resource for sustainable water and energy systems
PTPTN Incentive Sparks Student Motivation – UPM Vice-Chancellor
Get PDFSERDANG, October 12 – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Vice-Chancellor, Dato’ Prof. Ir. Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, has commended the government’s initiative to offer free education through the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) to 5,800 students from low-income families beginning next year
Prevalence and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in respiratory bacterial pathogens of ruminants: a systematic review
No full textAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) in respiratory pathogens of ruminants is a growing threat to animal health, veterinary treatment efficacy, and food production. However, consolidated global data on the prevalence and molecular mechanisms of AMR in these pathogens remain limited, particularly across diverse regions and livestock systems. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the prevalence and molecular mechanisms of AMR in bacterial pathogens responsible for respiratory infections in ruminants. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify English-language, peer-reviewed articles published between January 1, 2020, and May 31, 2025. Eligible studies reported on AMR prevalence and/or mechanisms in respiratory pathogens isolated from cattle, sheep, goats, and buffaloes. Study screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal were performed according to PRISMA guidelines, using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Fifty studies met the inclusion criteria, covering bacterial isolates from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania. Resistance prevalence ranged from 0.8% to 100%, with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis being the most frequently reported pathogens. Resistance was most common against tetracyclines, macrolides, sulfonamides, and β-lactams. Identified mechanisms included β-lactamase production, such as blaROB-1, blaTEM, efflux pumps msr(E), tet(H), target-site mutations gyrA, parC, 23 S rRNA, and horizontal gene transfer via plasmids and integrative and conjugative elements. This review underscores the global burden of AMR and multidrug resistance in ruminant respiratory pathogens and their potential zoonotic implications. Strengthening molecular surveillance, harmonising diagnostic standards, and integrating antimicrobial usage data, especially in underrepresented regions such as Southeast Asia, are essential to inform targeted interventions
Effect of double boiler heat treatment on the physicochemical properties of sweetened condensed filled milk
Get PDFSweetened Condensed Filled Milk (SCFM) is a widely used concentrated milk product in Malaysia. While there have been numerous articles on the physicochemical analysis of sweetened condensed filled milk (SCFM), not much research has been done on the effect of heating temperature on its physicochemical properties. This study investigated the impact of heating temperature on the physicochemical properties of SCFM using a 10 L double boiler. SCFM was heated at different temperatures (50°C, 60°C, 70°C, 80°C, and 90°C) and analysed for various properties such as total soluble solids (TSS), pH, carbohydrates (lactose, sucrose, and glucose), colour, water activity, moisture content, particle size analysis, and viscosity. The study found that higher heating temperatures decreased moisture content and increased TSS, protein and viscosity of the SCFM sample. The water activity of SCFM was found to be below 0.85, indicating a low risk of microbial contamination. Increasing the heating temperature significantly (p < 0.05) affected the colour, particle size and carbohydrate content (lactose, sucrose, and glucose) of the SCFM. Based on the analysis, a heating temperature of 70°C for 60 mins was chosen as the most suitable processing parameter for producing SCFM with acceptable physicochemical properties. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the impact of heating temperature on the physicochemical properties of SCFM and provides insights into the optimal conditions for producing SCFM with desirable properties
Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Measure of Audiologic Rehabilitation Self-Efficacy for Hearing Aids (P-MARS-HA)
Get PDFObjectives: This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Measure of Audiologic Rehabilitation Self-Efficacy for Hearing Aids (MARS-HA) in elderly Iranian adults. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran, 2021. Following translation and cross-cultural adaptation, the face validity, content validity, and reliability of the questionnaire were assessed. The Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (SADL) questionnaire was used to assess concurrent validity. Study participants included 300 hearing-aid users aged 60 years and older who completed the research instruments. Data were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS and AMOS version 24. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05 for all tests. Results: The mean (SD) age of the participants was 71.38 (8.05) years. The face and content validity of the questionnaire were confirmed by ten experts (CVI > 0.91). The CFA supported the four-factor structure of the questionnaire, and the goodness-of-fit indices indicated that the final model had a good fit. The Cronbach’s alpha for the total questionnaire was 0.93, and for the subscales, it ranged between 0.83 and 0.93. The Pearson’s correlation analysis results showed a positive and significant correlation between MARS-HA and SADL scores (r = 0.61, p < 0.05), supporting criterion validity. Conclusions: The P-MARS-HA questionnaire demonstrates good validity and reliability and can be used as an appropriate tool for assessing self-efficacy in hearing-aid use among elderly Iranian adults
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Escherichia coli in the environment, cow dung, and milk of Selangor dairy farms
Get PDFBackground/Objectives: The increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to global public health urgently needs attention. Misuse of antimicrobials in sectors such as dairy farming has led to the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria and genes. This study investigated AMR patterns and profiles of Escherichia coli (E. coli) from various sources, including soil, effluent, cow dung, and milk. Methods: A total of 192 samples were collected, comprising environmental samples (soil and effluent), cow dung samples, and milk samples from eight dairy farms in Selangor, Malaysia. The spread plate method was employed to isolate E. coli, and all the isolates were subjected to Gram staining to identify Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria. The Vitek® 2 system was used for E. coli identification and susceptibility testing. Results: The prevalence of E. coli identified in the eight farms was 66.1%. A total of 360 E. coli isolates were successfully isolated, and 19.7% of the isolates presented AMR with ampicillin exhibiting the highest resistance (18.3%), followed by trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (8.9%). Additionally, 8.9% of them were multidrug resistant, which could be divided into 16 patterns. For the extended spectrum beta-lactamase screening, nine isolates were positive. Conclusions: This finding emphasizes the rise in resistant isolates in the growing dairy industry and underscores the urgency of addressing the potential reservoir of AMR. Therefore, essential measures such as continuous surveillance and effective antimicrobial stewardship programs are crucial for regulating veterinary antimicrobial use. Research on the mechanisms driving the development and dissemination of AMR is imperative for addressing One Health concerns
Knowledge and practice of ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention among critical care nurses of two tertiary hospitals in Klang Valley: a cross-sectional study
Get PDFIntroduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common nosocomial infection in ICUs, leading to high morbidity and mortality in mechanically ventilated patients. This study aims to assess the knowledge and practice of VAP prevention among critical care nurses of two tertiary hospitals in Klang Valley. We hypothesised that no relationship existed between nurses’ knowledge and practice of VAP prevention and their socio-demographic characteristics. Methods: Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires covering socio-demographics, knowledge, and practice of ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention. Fisher’s Exact test and Multinomial Logistic Regression were employed to test the relationship between variables. Results: Of 130 participants, 94.6%, 3.1%, and 2.3% had good, acceptable, and poor knowledge, respectively. Meanwhile, 44.6%, 25.4%, and 30% had good, acceptable, and poor practices. Age (p=0.013), educational qualification (p=0.019), experience in nursing (0.018), and VAP prevention training (p=0.046) significantly influenced nurses’ knowledge. In contrast, educational qualification (p<.001), experience in critical care nursing (p=0.010), and VAP prevention training (p=0.017) significantly influenced nurses’ practice of VAP prevention. However, no relationship was found between nurses’ knowledge and practice (p=0.130). Conclusion: Critical care nurses exhibited good knowledge and acceptable practice of VAP prevention. Nonetheless, the lack of a relationship between knowledge and practice suggests other factors influencing practice. Future research can focus on identifying and addressing these factors to enhance translation of knowledge into practice to reduce VAP incidence in critical care settings