Evaluating the Efficiency of CBAM-Resnet Using Malaysian Sign Language

The deaf-mutes population is constantly feeling helpless when others do not understand them and vice versa.To fill this gap,this study implements a CNN-based neural network,Convolutional Based Attention Module(CBAM),to recognise Malaysian Sign Language(MSL)in videos recognition.This study has created 2071 videos for 19 dynamic signs.Two different experiments were conducted for dynamic signs,using CBAM-3DResNet implementing‘Within Blocks’and‘Before Classifier’methods.Various metrics such as the accuracy,loss,precision,recall,F1-score,confusion matrix,and training time were recorded to evaluate the models’efficiency.Results showed that CBAM-ResNet models had good performances in videos recognition tasks,with recognition rates of over 90%with little variations.CBAMResNet‘Before Classifier’is more efficient than‘Within Blocks’models of CBAM-ResNet.All experiment results indicated the CBAM-ResNet‘Before Classifier’efficiency in recognising Malaysian Sign Language and its worth of future research.

Ocular syphilis: resurgence of an old disease in modern Malaysian society

Dear Editor,Syphilis is a spirochaetal bacterial sexually transmitted disease（STD） caused by Treponema pallidum. Outbreaks of syphilis have been described in Western communities, especially in men who have sex with men（MSM） and people infected with human immunodeficiency virus（HIV）^（[1]）. Reports of the condition from Asian countries remains limited.

Bee pollen extract of Malaysian stingless bee enhances the effect of cisplatin on breast cancer cell lines

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant and antiproliferative effect of methanolic bee pollen extract(BPE) of Malaysian stingless bee [Lepidotrigona terminata(L. terminata)]and its synergistic effect with cisplatin(a chemotherapeutic drug) on MCF-7 cancer cell line.Methods: The antioxidant activity of BPE from L. terminata was measured by using1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical(DPPH) assay. Antiproliferative activity at different concentrations of BPE and cisplatin was determined through using MTT assay on MCF-7 and L929 cell lines. An interaction effect(synergistic, additive and antagonistic) between BPE and cisplatin was determined by Compu Syn software based on MTT assay data.Results: The EC50(50% decrement of DPPH inhibition) of BPE was 0.5 mg/m L.L. terminata BPE exhibited antiproliferative activity on both cancer and normal cell lines.The IC50(concentration of drug that was required for 50% of cell inhibition in vitro) of BPE on MCF-7 was 15 mg/m L whereas in normal cell line L929 was 26 mg/m L. The IC50 for cisplatin on MCF-7 was 20 mmol/L. The combination effect of BPE and cisplatin on MCF-7 cells showed that BPE at 15 mg/m L was able to potentiate the inhibitory effect of cisplatin at all different concentrations(2.5–20.0 mg/m L). The average of cancer cells inhibition which was potentiated by BPE was around 50%. A combination index values of less than 1 reported in the Compu Syn software further proved the synergistic effect between BPE and cisplatin, suggesting that BPE was working synergistically with cisplatin.Conclusions: Our study therefore suggested that BPE of Malaysian stingless bee,L. terminata is a potential chemopreventive agent and can be used as a supplementary treatment for chemotherapy drugs. BPE might be able to be used to potentiate the effect of chemotherapy drugs with the possibility to reduce the required dose of the drugs. The molecular mechanisms of how the BPE exerts antiproliferative activity will be a much interesting area to look for in future studies.

Risk modification of colorectal cancer susceptibility by interleukin-8-251T>A polymorphism in Malaysians

AIM: To investigate the allele and genotype frequencies and associated risk of interleukin (IL)-8-251T>A polymorphism on colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility risk. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of 255 normal controls and 255 clinically and histopathologically confirmed CRC patients were genotyped for IL-8-251T>A polymorphism employing allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. The relative association of variant allele and genotypes with CRC susceptibility risk was determined by calculating the odds ratios (ORs). Corresponding χ 2 tests on the CRC patients and controls were carried out and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined using Fisher's exact test. The allele frequencies and its risk association were calculated using FAMHAP, haplotype association analysis software. RESULTS: On comparing the frequencies of genotypesof patients and controls, the homozygous variant AA was significantly higher in CRC patients (P = 0.002) compared to controls. Investigation on the association of the polymorphic genotypes with CRC susceptibility risk, showed that the homozygous variant IL-8 -251AA had a significantly increased risk with OR 3.600 (95% CI: 1.550-8.481, P = 0.001). In the case of allele frequencies, variant allele A of IL-8 -251 showed a significantly increased risk of CRC predisposition with OR 1.32 (95% CI: 1.03-1.69,P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Variant allele and genotype of IL-8 (-251 T>A) was significantly associated with CRC susceptibility risk and could be considered as a high-risk variant for CRC predisposition.

The effectiveness of internal audit in Malaysian public sector

Internal audit in Malaysian public and private sector organizations underwent a steady organic growth since gaining a foothold in the management process in the 1970s. The management of the Malaysian public sector is continuously maturing in facilitating foreign input in national development, echoing similar advances expounded by the internal audit units of private sector organizations. The main difference being the public sector addresses the interest of a much wider group of stakeholders. Rapid development in infrastructures and industries positioned Malaysia on the fringes of globalization and the world market. This enlarges the crucial role of internal auditing to ensure transparency, integrity, quality and improved service delivery; among myriad positive aims, remain the end point of any process area. This study explored the significance of internal auditing in the Malaysian public sector, and its subsequent extent and influence in public sector hierarchy and decision making. Data was collected from responses to a questionnaire distributed to head of internal auditors, internal auditors and other staff of internal audit departments from various categories of public sector departments and agencies in Malaysia. The study concluded that the internal audit function in the public sector in Malaysia is curtailed by understaffing and hampered by inadequate support from top management while, the auditors seldom extend their full cooperation. The auditors themselves lack appropriate knowledge and training on effective auditing approaches. The negative perception accorded to internal audit led to inaction by management on recommended remedies which only serve to nullify the positive contribution internal audit potentially holds to elevate the service delivery quality of the public sector.

Immunomodulatory effects of selected Malaysian plants on the CD18/11a expression and phagocytosis activities of leukocytes

Objective:To investigate the effects of 20 methanolic extracts from Malaysian selected plants on CD18/11 a expression and phagocytosis activity of leukocytes using flow cytometry analysis.Methods:The effects of methanolic extracts on CD18/11 a expression and phagocytosis of leukocytes were measured by labelling the cells with CD18-fluorescein isolhiocyanaie and ingestion labelled with Escherichia coli-fluorescein isothiocyanate and then analyzed using flow cytometer.Results:About 12 out of 20 methanolic extracts of selected Malaysian medicinal plants significantly(P≤0.05) inhibited the CD18/1 la expression of leukocytes at both concentrations of 6.25 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL in dose dependent manner.The most active inhibitory was shown in Citrus aurantifolia(Christm.) Swingle and Alpinia galangal(L.) Willd.at dosage 100ug/mL.Moreover,the Orthosiphon aristatus(Blume) Miq(O.aristatus).showed the highest stimulatory activity at the concentration of 100 μg/mL.Other than that,four plant extracts significantly(P<0.05) rose the phagocytosis activities of leukocytes in dose dependent manner.However,Annona muricata L.and O.aristatus showed the highest stimulated activities at the 100 pg/mL concentration.Conclusions:The results suggest that methanolic extracts of Cirrus aurantifolia.Alpinia gaiangal,O.aristatus and Annona muricata are able to modulate innate immune system and can potentially be recognized as therapeutic agents for modulating immune system.

On the National Symptoms of Boar Crossing the River:One Hundred Years of Solitude in a Malaysian Chinese Village

After the famous“Rainforest Trilogy”such as Monkey Cup and Elephants,Zhang Guixing,a Malaysian Chinese writer in Taiwan,recently published another Nanyang story Boar Crossing the River,in the background of anti-Japanese War,focusing on the massacres and resistance of the Chinese in Krokop,a Malaysian Chinese village in Borneo from 1941 to 1945 according to a list of“Committee for the Relief of Refugees of the Motherland”.In this novel,Zhang Guixing changes the accustomed narrative mode of individual family history,expands the description to the group images of the Chinese in Krokop,highlights their patriotic sacrifice,and saves the reality of the slaughter of the compatriots by magic means such as the myths and legends of Borneo and masks in children’s imagination.It is also noteworthy that the novel talks about the relationship between individual freedom and national identity in depth,and describes the tragic fate of cross-national love in the period of national opposition.These nation-state discourses in Boar Crossing the River are Zhang Guixing’s biggest transitions when missing in the literary world for 17 years,which indicate a landmark progress in his spiritual history.

＂I＇m here to discuss my final grade!＂ A study of the speech act of complaint by Malaysian ESL learners

The present study investigates the preferred strategies of the speech act of complaint by Malaysian ESL learners. The subjects were selected from Malaysian university students majoring in English at University Sains Malaysia. Data were collected through an open-ended questionnaire in the form of a discourse completion task and a semi-structured interview. The responses were analyzed based on Rinnert and Nogami＇s （2006） taxonomy of the speech act of complaint to examine the main components of complaint, the level of directness and the degree of mitigation. It is anticipated that the findings will be able to provide valuable insights into teaching and learning English in non-native settings.

JOURNEY TO THE NORTHWEST A Malaysian journalist weighs in on Xinjiang’s efforts to counter extremism through education

In late February,11 Indonesian and Malaysian journalists,editors and producers traveled to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern China as part of the ASEAN Elites China Tour 2019,where they witnessed happenings on the ground.Asmaliza Binti Mansor,assistant editor of Sina Harian from Malaysia,traveled with the group.The following is an English translation of the highlights of her reports originally published in Malay on the vocational training centers in Xinjiang.

Fuzzy Logic Based Perceptual Image Hashing Algorithm in Malaysian Banknotes Detection System for the Visually Impaired

Visually impaired persons have difficulty in business that dealing with banknote.This paper proposed a Malaysian banknotes detection system using image processing technology and fuzzy logic algorithm for the visually impaired.The Malaysian banknote reader will first capture the inserted banknote image,sending it to the cloud server for image processing via Wi-Fi medium.The cloud server is established to receive the banknote image sending from the banknote reader,processing them using perceptual hashing based image searching and fuzzy logic algorithm,then return the detected banknote’s value results back to the banknote reader.The banknote reader will display the results in terms of voice message played on the mini speaker attached on it,to allow visually impaired persons knowing the banknote’s value.This hardware mechanism reduces the size and costs for the banknote reader carried by the visually impaired persons.Experimental results showed that this Malaysian banknotes detection system reached an accuracy beyond 95%by running test on 600 different worn,torn and new Malaysian banknotes.After the banknote image being taken by the banknote reader’s camera,the system able to detect the banknote value in about 480 mili-seconds to 560 mili-seconds for a single sided banknote recognition.The banknotes detection speed was also comparable with human observers reading banknotes,with the response of 1.0908 second per banknote slight difference reading time.The IoT and image processing concepts were successfully blended and it provides an alternative to aid the visually impaired person their daily business transaction activities in a better way.

Assessing the Relationship of Corporate Integrity Practices With Accountability of Malaysian Statutory Bodies

Accountability is seen as an organisational performance across private and public sector,including statutory bodies.Yet,does accountability prove instilled in part of integrity practices,especially in less mentioned sector-statutory bodies?This study aims to evaluate the relationship of corporate integrity practices on accountability of Malaysian statutory bodies through questionnaire survey distribution.Based on 194 responses received from top management of Malaysian statutory bodies,it is proven that corporate integrity practices have a positive and significant relationship with accountability.Therefore,statutory bodies are recommended to exercise and implement corporate integrity practices by setting up integrity department and appointing corporate integrity officers.Hence,by upholding corporate integrity practices,it leads to the achievement of accountability of statutory bodies organisations.

Advantages of Malaysian Teaching Writing Strategies——Compare and contrast with Chinese teaching writing in schools

The purpose of this paper is to find out the advantages of English teaching strategies of writing in Malaysian secondary schools through compare and contrast of the teaching strategies in China and Malaysia. The study of this paper focused on the views of the writing skills from Malaysian secondary schools.

文学神州·地方重构·女性经验——马华留华女作家的旅华书写

中国内地改革开放以来,马来西亚的旅华书写经历了从1990年代观光热中的“神州”书写到2000年代后马华留学生中国“在地”书写的阶段性变化。本文选取的四位留学内地的马华女作家其“在地”书写聚焦于北京、南京两座城市,表现出深浅不一的中华文化涵融,她们各具书写个性的文化“混血”式和比较性“在地”审美“凝视”,摒弃了1990年代“神州”书写某种微妙的优势居位的“祛魅”与解构,赋予各自旅居的城市以“地方感”,为马华社会重构作为“异乡”的文化原乡和人文“地方”,实际上也新生成了中国内地城市的“地方感”。其书写同时凸显了马华知识女性的跨域生命经验和自我主体意识,伸展着现代性心灵自由,包容、谦卑、柔软的对话式叙事笔调折射出由跨域文化交流延展出的开放性。

A study of the impact of environmental loads that penetrate a passive skylight roofing system in Malaysian buildings

A passive skylight system is a significant building design element that provides an ideal condition for interior spaces. However, the use of this system is limited to specific climatic regions because of its considerable effect on the indoor environment. Malaysia is a tropical country that has favorable natural benefits, such as solar geometry and natural light, which can brighten building interiors throughout the year. However, harnessing this benefit affects spaces, especially those in single-story buildings, because of excessive natural loads. This study reviews a concept to understand the passive behavior of solar radiation in the form of light and heat that falls on, interacts with, and is emitted from a skylight system in a single-story building. The study method is theoretically based on descriptive analysis to assess design requirements. The review shows that designs grounded on the physical aspects of climate （influenced variables）, materials （design variables）, and human comfort （affected variables） in one process （ESI） can develop the architectural way of thinking rather than estimate the condition based on a limited perspective. This assumption indicates that the adoption of this concept in the preliminary design stage will enable designers to balance the building environment effectively.

马来西亚大选中的精英联盟、族群动员与印度人选民

马来西亚印度人对社会、经济、政治上的边缘化不满,自20世纪90年代起逐渐开始族群动员。同时,随着马来西亚政党斗争日趋激烈化,其政治格局发生重大变化,政党和精英联盟发生分裂,由此马来西亚印度人选民作为关键少数的重要性逐渐显现。借鉴政治机会结构和族群动员理论进行研究,可以发现,马来西亚印度人在大选中重要性凸显是由马来人的精英联盟分裂以及印度人族群动员共同产生作用的结果。马来西亚政治制度的演变为社会运动和族群动员提供了空间,加强了民众的政治参与意识。而通过马来西亚2008年和2018年大选与2013年大选的正负案例对比可以看出,在马来人精英联盟分裂的情况下,马来人选票分散;一旦马来西亚印度人开展族群动员,则可能令其族群出现倾向性的集体投票行为。这两重因素叠加作用,使马来西亚印度人对该国大选走向和格局的影响得以凸显。

马来西亚智库对“一带一路”倡议与“新南向政策”的认知评析

[目的/意义]研究马来西亚智库对“一带一路”倡议与“新南向政策”的认知,有助于中国内地把握“一带一路”倡议在东南亚面临的形势,进而优化与完善“一带一路”倡议。[方法/过程]本文选取马来西亚战略与国际问题研究所和马来亚大学中国研究所作为智库样本,对其发布的14份有关“一带一路”倡议和5份有关“新南向政策”的研究成果进行分析。[结果/结论]马来西亚主流智库认为:“一带一路”倡议带来了区域联通的机遇、促进了马来西亚的基础设施建设与经济发展效率;“新南向政策”具备科技、软实力等方面的优势,旨在减少对中国内地的经济依赖,并通过加强与东南亚国家的关系以此扩大中国台湾地区所谓的“国际空间”。总体而言,马来西亚主流智库对两者的认知均以正面评价为主,经济利益、民意与社会舆论则是其认知的主要动因。

在地寓言与现实衍射——《流俗地》的族群记忆书写

黎紫书以家乡怡保为原型,使城市的外部景象与人物的内心世界互为参照,勾画出一幅指涉色彩强烈的多种族聚居图,丰富了华文现实城市书写的路径。而在以盲女银霞为中心建构起的马华族群生活圈层中,黎紫书既融入了对马华民间社会、历史的“包容与悲悯”,也隐藏着对马华族群记忆的关注与反思。也正是通过这种意蕴丰富、多层面向的马华族群生存流变追溯,作者最终以空间布局隐喻伦常记忆,以个体生命创伤指涉华族整体生存困境,以双重地理来源整合族群文化记忆,完成了现实华族生存的在地寓言书写。

“以马制印尼”:台湾(地区)当局对马来西亚的秘密援助(1963—1965)

1963年9月马来西亚的成立遭到印度尼西亚等国的强烈反对。在双方剑拔弩张之际,台湾地区当局积极利用东南亚的紧张局势,不仅在联合国主动声援马来西亚,还试图通过各种渠道向马方提供军事援助,以图削弱印尼与中国内地在东南亚的影响力。双方几经交涉,先后就军事援助、情报合作等议题达成初步协议。台湾地区当局此番“以马制印尼”的图谋,最终受制于国际形势的变动与自身有限的实力,并未取得理想的效果,仅以“明驼计划”为名,提供了为数不多的军事援助。对马来西亚的秘密军援未显成效,折射出台湾地区当局在地区冲突中的困境。

反向探寻的悖谬--黄锦树小说集《雨》的时空叙事研究

马来西亚华人作家黄锦树的小说集《雨》,在时间叙事与空间叙事上均呈现出“逆向”与“多向”的特点。作者以“逆向”的方式进行时间回溯,找寻祖辈的记忆,却无意中将自己困囿在边缘的位置;以“多向”的方式使生命不断地轮回与循环,展现出一种狂欢化的生命力量,但这些生命的狂欢都被封闭在胶林里,看似轰轰烈烈,实则静谧无声。这种叙事策略使得他的写作目的与结果之间产生了背离。由此,黄锦树在面对身份认同、民族伤痛等问题时,最初展现出来的积极的寻找姿态,也逐渐变成了尴尬的自我封闭与僵化的自我定义。