Physicochemical Analysis of Selected Durian Hybrids at Bukit Tangga, Kedah, Malaysia

The physicochemical analysis was carried out to quantify the total soluble solids, acidity, pH, ascorbic acid contents and pulp colour of eight selected durian hybrid clones. The aim of this study was to select the most promising durian hybrids for commercialization. The durian hybrid fruits were collected in an established durian research plot. All tested characteristics with the exception for total soluble solids （TSS） showed significant differences （P 〈 0.05） amongst the eight durian hybrids with four check cultivars. F1 hybrid 15-3 had significantly higher pH （7.25） and lower titratable acidity （0.09%） than other hybrids. While for ascorbic acid content, durian hybrid 7-3 （26.13 rag/100 g） showed significantly higher than other hybrids. As for pulp colour, hybrids 1-15, 1-17 and 7-20 were yellowish orange/deep yellow. Even though there was no significant differences for TSS, three durian hybrids showed value above 39.00 °Brix and there were hybrid 14-3 （39.97 °Brix）, hybrid 8-16 （39.83 °Brix） and hybrid 7-3 （39.50 °Brix）. Based on the results of this study, Fl hybrids durian 1-15, 7-3, 8-16, 14-3 and 15-3 shall become successful candidates for recommendation to farmers for commercial production in Malaysia. However, further evaluations on fruit eating quality and stability of the hybrids should be completed prior to recommendation for commercialization.

Evolution of the“ancient Kedah”:A study on urban forms at Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex(SBAC),Bujang Valley,Kedah,Malaysia

Archaeological research at the Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex(SBAC),which has been carried out until 2023,aims to complete the chronological data and urbanization process of the ancient Kedah.This study will especially prove that the ongoing urbanization process is aimed at developing the iron smelting industry and trade in ancient Kedah,especially in SBAC.This is because archaeological research at SBAC has proven that with the existence of the ancient Kedah iron smelting workshop at SBAC,river jetties,port management,rituals,and Buddhist monuments began to be erected,all of which can be determined by chronometric dating.The results of the chronometric dating have proven that the ancient Kedah Kingdom existed since the 6th century BC and was oriented towards the trade of iron resources,which allowed the use of the area to grow rapidly.The process of urbanization and land use clearly conforms to Lynch’s principle,which emphasizes the principles of 1)paths,2)edges,3)districts,4)nodes,and 5)landmarks in the development process of land use and urbanization in the complex.

基于可控剥离技术的柔性反铁电薄膜固态制冷技术

反铁电薄膜具有强大的偶极子动力学可调特性,在储能电容器和固态制冷领域表现出巨大的潜力,因此有必要对柔性反铁电薄膜的固态制冷进行研究。采用溶胶-凝胶技术在蓝宝石衬底上制备了Pb_(0.97)La_(0.02)Zr_(0.95)Ti_(0.05)O_(3)(PLZT)薄膜,并通过可控剥离技术将其柔性化。柔性反铁电薄膜的极化特性在不同的外加偏压下表现出典型的滞回特性,并在外加电场驱动下表现出巨大的负电卡响应。结果表明,柔性反铁电薄膜室温下绝热温度变化为-6.9 K,在450 kV/cm的电场强度下,205 K时获得了-9.5 K的最大绝热温度变化。本研究为可穿戴柔性设备和场景的固态制冷提供可行性,同时为其他功能薄膜的柔性集成制造提供了技术基础。

Research on the Dynamic Volatility Relationship between Chinese and U.S. Stock Markets Based on the DCC-GARCH Model under the Background of the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study utilizes the Dynamic Conditional Correlation-Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (DCC-GARCH) model to investigate the dynamic relationship between Chinese and U.S. stock markets amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, a univariate GARCH model is developed to derive residual sequences, which are then used to estimate the DCC model parameters. The research reveals a significant rise in the interconnection between the Chinese and U.S. stock markets during the pandemic. The S&P 500 index displayed higher sensitivity and greater volatility in response to the pandemic, whereas the CSI 300 index showed superior resilience and stability. Analysis and model estimation suggest that the market’s dependence on historical data has intensified and its sensitivity to recent shocks has heightened. Predictions from the model indicate increased market volatility during the pandemic. While the model is proficient in capturing market trends, there remains potential for enhancing the accuracy of specific volatility predictions. The study proposes recommendations for policymakers and investors, highlighting the importance of improved cooperation in international financial market regulation and investor education.

环境规制、外商直接投资与绿色经济高质量发展

选取2012—2021年中国30个省级面板数据,实证分析环境规制对绿色经济高质量发展的传导机制、影响效应及地区异质性。结果表明:环境规制对绿色经济高质量发展存在显著正向促进作用,且具有积极空间溢出效应。进一步分析发现,环境规制促进绿色经济高质量发展具有区域异质性;外商直接投资在环境规制与绿色经济高质量发展的影响机制中发挥重要中介作用;门槛检验结果发现,环境规制对绿色经济高质量发展的影响存在非线性关系。基于此,提出完善环境规制政策、差异化引入外商直接投资、统筹全国环境规制空间布局等建议。

BZD9L1 benzimidazole analogue hampers colorectal tumor progression by impeding angiogenesis

BACKGROUND The development of new vasculatures(angiogenesis)is indispensable in supplying oxygen and nutrients to fuel tumor growth.Epigenetic dysregulation in the tumor vasculature is critical to colorectal cancer(CRC)progression.Sirtuin(SIRT)enzymes are highly expressed in blood vessels.BZD9L1 benzimidazole analogue is a SIRT 1 and 2 inhibitor with reported anticancer activities in CRC.However,its role has yet to be explored in CRC tumor angiogenesis.AIM To investigate the anti-angiogenic potential of BZD9L1 on endothelial cells(EC)in vitro,ex vivo and in HCT116 CRC xenograft in vivo models.METHODS EA.hy926 EC were treated with half inhibitory concentration(IC50)(2.5μM),IC50(5.0μM),and double IC50(10.0μM)of BZD9L1 and assessed for cell proliferation,adhesion and SIRT 1 and 2 protein expression.Next,2.5μM and 5.0μM of BZD9L1 were employed in downstream in vitro assays,including cell cycle,cell death and sprouting in EC.The effect of BZD9L1 on cell adhesion molecules and SIRT 1 and 2 were assessed via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).The growth factors secreted by EC post-treatment were evaluated using the Quantibody Human Angiogenesis Array.Indirect co-culture with HCT116 CRC cells was performed to investigate the impact of growth factors modulated by BZD9L1-treated EC on CRC.The effect of BZD9L1 on sprouting impediment and vessel regression was determined using mouse choroids.HCT116 cells were also injected subcutaneously into nude mice and analyzed for the outcome of BZD9L1 on tumor necrosis,Ki67 protein expression indicative of proliferation,cluster of differentiation 31(CD31)and CD34 EC markers,and SIRT 1 and 2 genes via hematoxylin and eosin,immunohistochemistry and qPCR,respectively.RESULTS BZD9L1 impeded EC proliferation,adhesion,and spheroid sprouting through the downregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule 1,vascular endothelial cadherin,integrin-alpha V,SIRT1 and SIRT2 genes.The compound also arrested the cells at G1 phase and induced apoptosis in the EC.In mouse choroids,BZD9L1 inhibited sprouting and regressed sprouting vessels compared to the negative control.Compared to the negative control,the compound also reduced the protein levels of angiogenin,basic fibroblast growth factor,platelet-derived growth factor and placental growth factor,which then inhibited HCT116 CRC spheroid invasion in co-culture.In addition,a significant reduction in CRC tumor growth was noted alongside the downregulation of human SIRT1(hSIRT1),hSIRT2,CD31,and CD34 EC markers and murine SIRT2 gene,while the murine SIRT1 gene remained unaffected,compared to vehicle control.Histology analyses revealed that BZD9L1 at low(50 mg/kg)and high(250 mg/kg)doses reduced Ki-67 protein expression,while BZD9L1 at the high dose diminished tumor necrosis compared to vehicle control.CONCLUSION These results highlighted the anti-angiogenic potential of BZD9L1 to reduce CRC tumor progression.Furthermore,together with previous anticancer findings,this study provides valuable insights into the potential of BZD9L1 to co-target CRC tumor vasculatures and cancer cells via SIRT1 and/or SIRT2 down-regulation to improve the therapeutic outcome.

Attitudes and understanding of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer care:An exploratory study of patients’perspectives in Karachi,Pakistan

Objective:To evaluate the prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM)modalities among patients with cancer in Karachi,Pakistan.Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2021 to December 2021.Five hundred patients with cancer were invited to participate in the study.Electronic databases,namely,Google scholar,Publons,EMBASE,PubMed,Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database,and ResearchGate was used for questionnaire designed.The self-administered survey included questions on demographic characteristics,education level,socio-economic conditions and information about CAM therapies,prevalence,effectiveness,and common CAM modalities.Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 22.Results:Out of the 500 invited patients,433(86.6%)successfully completed and returned the questionnaires.In contrast to patients who were with younger,highly educated,professionally active,higher income,and had advanced cancer,time since diagnosis,type of treatment,cancer types and family history are significantly associated with CAM use.The results showed that 59.8%of the participants were acquainted with complementary and/or alternative medicine and considered safe owing to its natural ingredients.The prevalence of CAM usage among cancer patients was 40.9%and the most widely used CAM modality was herbal medicine(27.7%)and dietary supplements(28.8%).Patients used CAM as a complementary therapy to improve the morphological parameter(28.2%),strengthen the immune system(6.8%),and to decrease the side effects of conventional treatment(18.1%).Most of the respondents get the information regarding CAM therapy from the electronic media(43.2%)and the family members(48%)rather than healthcare personnel.Conclusions:Participants used CAM modalities along with the conventional health care practices.Further multicentre studies should be conducted to provide information regarding the usage of CAM therapies and their eventual benefits in patients with cancer.

A Speech Cryptosystem Using the New Chaotic System with a Capsule-Shaped Equilibrium Curve

In recent years,there are numerous studies on chaotic systems with special equilibrium curves having various shapes such as circle,butterfly,heart and apple.This paper describes a new 3-D chaotic dynamical system with a capsule-shaped equilibrium curve.The proposed chaotic system has two quadratic,two cubic and two quartic nonlinear terms.It is noted that the proposed chaotic system has a hidden attractor since it has an infinite number of equilibrium points.It is also established that the proposed chaotic system exhibits multi-stability with two coexisting chaotic attractors for the same parameter values but differential initial states.A detailed bifurcation analysis with respect to variations in the system parameters is portrayed for the new chaotic system with capsule equilibrium curve.We have shown MATLAB plots to illustrate the capsule equilibrium curve,phase orbits of the new chaotic system,bifurcation diagrams and multi-stability.As an engineering application,we have proposed a speech cryptosystem with a numerical algorithm,which is based on our novel 3-D chaotic system with a capsule-shaped equilibrium curve.The proposed speech cryptosystem follows its security evolution and implementation on Field Programmable Gate Array(FPGA)platform.Experimental results show that the proposed encryption system utilizes 33%of the FPGA,while the maximum clock frequency is 178.28 MHz.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Smartphone Addiction among Adolescents–A Nationwide Study in Malaysia

Smartphone ownership among adolescents is getting common in this decade especially in Malaysia;Adolescent are strongly devoted to their smartphone and this may lead to smartphone addiction.Studies have reported that smartphone addiction has become an emerging social and health problem especially among the youth in many countries however there is lack of study among adolescents in Malaysia.This study aimed to examine the prevalence and factors associated with smartphone addiction among adolescents in Malaysia.This was a cross-sectional study involving adolescents from 15 primary care clinics throughout the country.Respondents were assessed on their smartphone activities using the Malaysian short version of the Smartphone addiction scale(SAS-M-SV).Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of smartphone addiction among adolescents.The study was conducted among 921 adolescents with 49.6%male(n=457).The mean age of adolescents was 16.4±2.4 years.The ethnicity distribution were 74.6%Malay,7.3%Chinese,4.7%Indian and 13.4%other ethnicities.The prevalence of smartphone addiction was 37.1%(342/921);37.4%in male and 36.9%in female.Based on multiple logistic regression analysis,longer duration of smartphone use per week was associated with higher odds of smartphone addiction among adolescent(odd ratio=1.005%,95%confidence interval=1.000–1.009,p-value=0.039).Smartphone addiction is present in nearly four in ten adolescents in Malaysia.Adolescents who spend longer duration in smartphone usage per week were associated with higher odds of having smartphone addiction.Parents should be more alert and vigilant about this finding.Hence,parents should limit their children from spending too much of time with smartphone in order to prevent their children from getting smartphone addiction.

国际化创业视野中马高校社会资助资金筹措方式创新性比较

课题组利用中国到马来西亚高校开展海外师资培养计划,运用国际化创业视野比较马来西亚与中国高校资助政策差别,结合海外亲身感受,通过社会资助大学生与筹措机制创新性比较研究,剖析两国在实施各种社会援助方面的状况和问题,探索释放社会资金潜力的途径,有效发挥社会各界对教育事业资助的功用,具有一定的参考意义。

Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori among multiracial community in Northern Peninsular,Malaysia:effect of age across race and gender

Objective:To study the epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) infection according to age group.Methods:H.pylori infection data among 1 965 consecutive patients referred to the Endoscopy Unit collected at Sungai Petani Hospital for oesophagogastro-duodenoscopy(OGD). The patients were divided into 9 age groups(10-19,20-29,30-39,40-49,50-59,60-69,70-79, 80-89 and 90-99 years).In addition these groups were further divided into three minor group namely young adults(10-39),older adults(40-69) and geriatric groups(70-99).Results:Overall prevalence of infection of H.pylori was analyzed and found that the prevalence increase with age (P【0.05).When the patients divided by ethnic and gender group with age,prevalence rate among young adults and older adults significantly higher(P【0.05) compared to geriatric groups across all races and gender(P【0.05).Furthermore,significantly higher number of males were infected compared to female(P【0.05) but such trend was only observed among older adult groups.In addition,there is a significant differences in H.pylori infection prevalence rates among ethnic groups(highest in Indians adults,followed Chinese and low in Malays,P【0.05).Conclusions: The overall prevalence of H.pylori did increase with age group across ethnicity and gender,in Northern Peninsular Malaysia.

Preliminary investigation on the antibacterial activity of mango(Mangifera indica L:Anacardiaceae) seed kernel

Objective:To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract of mango(Mangifera indica L) seed kernel.Methods:Chokanan mango seed kernel and seed kernels from assorted mango varieties were collected,cleaned,dried and powered.Crude methanolic extracts of mango seed kernel were analyzed for the phytochemical constituents.The free radical scavenging activity was determined by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) assay.Antibacterial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion assay with three medically important bacterial pathogens such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus)(MRSA),Escherichia coli(E.coli) and Vibrio vulnificus(V.vulnificus).Results:Qualitative phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of important phytochemical compounds such as glycosides,saponins,flavanoids, tannins and alkaloids.There was no significant difference in the phytochemical content between the single and assorted mango seed kernels.However,the free radical scavenging study indicated that the assorted mango kernels showed slighdy higher activity than the single species(P【0.05). The crude methanolic extract of mango seed kernel at a concentration of 100 mg/mL is found to have potential antimicrobial activity against MRSA and E.coli compared to V.vulnificus. Study on the antibacterial activity also indicated that there was no significant difference in the antibacterial activity of the single and assorted mango seed kernel extracts.Conclusions:The present study conclusively demonstrates the free radical scavenging activity and antibacterial activities of mango seed kernel.In addition,the results also indicated that there is no significant difference in the phytochemical content and biological activity of mango kernels from single and assorted mango varieties.

替米沙坦的合成工艺优化

通过实验对替米沙坦(TMST)原料药的合成工艺路线进行优化,确定以3-甲基-4-氨基苯甲酸为起始原料,经酯化、酰化、硝化、还原、环合反应得到2-正丙基-4-甲基-6-羧基苯并咪唑;在多聚磷酸的作用下,与N-甲基邻苯二胺缩合,产物再与4’-溴甲基联苯-2-羧酸甲酯缩合,水解得到替米沙坦,总收率约为36%。

Multiple solutions of Cu-C6H9NaO7 and Ag-C6H9NaO7 nanofluids flow over nonlinear shrinking surface

Model of Casson nanofluid flow over a nonlinear shrinking surface is considered.Model of Tiwari and Das is applied to nanofluid comprising of sodium alginate with copper and silver.The governing nonlinear equations incorporating the effects of the viscous dissipation are transformed into boundary value problems (BVPs) of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by using appropriate similarity transformations.The resulting equations are converted into initial value problems (IVPs) using the shooting method which are then solved by Runge-Kutta method of fourth order.In order to determine the stability of the dual solutions obtained,stability analysis is performed and discovered that the first (second) solution is stable (unstable) and physically realizable (unrealizable).Both the thickness of the thermal boundary layer as well as temperature increase when the Casson parameter (β) is increased in the second solution.

影响增殖性糖尿病视网膜病变玻璃体切除术后视力改善的因素（英文）

目的:分析影响增殖性糖尿病视网膜病变(PDR)玻璃体切除术后视力改善的因素。方法:回顾性分析。收集2014-01/2014-12在马来西亚吉打州,亚罗士打Sultanah Bahiyah医院收治的PDR行玻璃体切除术病例资料,包括1y内患者统计,基线视力(VA)和LogMAR术后最佳矫正视力。使用IBM SPSS Statistics Version 22.0进行数据分析。结果:共103例患者。平均年龄51.2y。在多变量分析中,每个0 logMAR基线VA的1 logMAR术前正偏差与0.859logMAR的术后改善相关(P<0.001)。同样,术前附着的黄斑与玻璃体切除术后的logMAR视力改善相关(b=0.374,P=0.003)。无虹膜新血管和无术后并发症与玻璃体切除术后改善的logMAR视力相关,分别为1.126(P=0.001)和0.377(P=0.005)。无长效眼内填充与玻璃体切除术后logMAR视力改善相关,为0.302(P=0.010)。结论:玻璃体切除术后与视力改善的相关因素是:术前视力较差,黄斑附着,无虹膜新生血管,无术后并发症和未使用长效眼内填充物。了解视力改善的因素将有助于玻璃体视网膜手术的决策。

Synovial sarcoma:a rare presentation of parapharyngeal mass

Synovial sarcoma is a rare soft tissue sarcoma of the head and neck region involving the parapharyngeal space.The diagnosis of synovial sarcoma can be very challenging to the pathologists.We present a rare case of parapharyngeal synovial sarcoma in a young female patient who had a two-month history of left cervical intumescent mass at level II.The fine needle aspiration cytology of the mass was proved inconclusive.Transcervical excision of the mass was performed and the first case of parapharyngeal sarcoma was identified in our center by fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) technique.Repeat imaging revealed residual tumor.The patient successfully underwent a second excision of the residual tumor and received adjuvant radiotherapy.

Isolation and identification of Salmonella from curry samples and its sensitivity to commercial antibiotics and aqueous extracts of Camelia sinensis(L.) and Trachyspermum ammi(L.)

Objective:To isolate Salmonella from curry samples and to evaluate the drug sensitivity of the food-borne Salmonella and its susceptibility to specific plant extracts.Methods:Salmonella was isolated from the curry samples by standard microbiological methods and was confirmed by biochemical tests.The antibiotic susceptibility test was conducted by disc diffusion method using commercially available antibiotics such as ampicillin,tetracycline,chloramphenicol,kanamycin,and penicillin.In addition,the susceptibility of the food-borne Salmonella was also evaluated against the aqueous extracts of Camelia sinensis(L.) Theaceae(tea leaves) and the Trachyspermum ammi(L.) Apiaceae(ajwain or omum seeds).Results:Out of fifty curry samples,only seven samples were identified to have Salmonella contamination.The Salmonella isolates showed a significant drug resistance pattern except for kanamycin.The plant extracts showed a considerable antibacterial activity against the isolates,indicating the presence of antimicrobial principle which can be exploited after complete pharmacological investigations.Conclusions:The present study demonstrates the occurrence of Salmonella in the curry samples,and shows significant drug resistance against most of the commercially available antibiotics,except kanamycin.Antimicrobial effect of the plant extracts against the food-bone Salmonella suggests that dietary including medicinal herbs would be one strategy to manage food borne pathogens.

Job characteristics and staying engaged in work of nurses: Empirical evidence from Malaysia

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between job characteristics (job autonomy,job feedback,skill variety,task identity,task significance) and work engagement of nurses in Malaysia.Methods: A survey using self-administered questionnaires was used to collect data from a sample of 856 staff nurses working in eight public hospitals in Malaysia.A shortened nine-item version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale(UWES-9) was used to measure work engagement.The UWES-9 comprises three dimensions,which was measured with three items each: vigor,dedication,and absorption.Job characteristics (job autonomy,job feedback,skill variety,task identity,task significance) were measured with the corresponding subscales of the Job Diagnostic Survey.Each subscale consisted of three items.Hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression analysis.Results: Findings indicated that all the five demographic variables (age,marital status,education,organizational tenure,job tenure) were unrelated to work engagement.The results further revealed that job autonomy (β=0.19,P < 0.01),job feedback (β=0.10,P < 0.01),task identity (β=0.13,P < 0.01),and task significance (β=0.08,P< 0.05) were positively related to work engagement.Skill variety (β=0.03,P> 0.05),however,did not affect work engagement.Conclusion: Job autonomy,job feedback,task identity,and task significance are important factors in predicting work engagement.The findings of this study highlighted the need to incorporate these core dimensions in nursing management to foster work engagement.

Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of 2-substituted-4,5-diphenyl-N-alkyl imidazole derivatives

Objective:To synthesis 2-substituted-4,5-diphenyl-N- alkyl imidazole derivatives,and evaluate their antibacterial activity.Methods:A mixture of benzil（10 mmol） and ammonium acetate（0.1 mol）（immediately fused） in glacial acetic acid（25 mL） was stirred at 80-100℃for 1 h under nitrogen atmosphere（to prevent incorporation of any atmospheric impurities and moisture）. Substituted aldehydes（10 mmol） in glacial acetic acid（5 mL） was added drop-wise over a period of 15-20 min at the same temperature and stirred for another 4 h,the progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC test using ethyl acetate as eluent.The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR,1HNMR,13CNMR and by mass spectroscopy.Results:All the synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectroscopical techniques and evaluated for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus（S.aurius）,Bacilus subtilus（B.subtilus）,and Escheria coli （E.coli）.These compounds showed antibacterial activity（zone of inhibition） against S.aurius ranged from 3 mm to 9 mmin diameter,B.subtilus,4 -8 mm,and E.coli 5 -12 mm.Out of 2a-2e, only 2a and 2b showed some sort of activity but none of them had considerable activity compared with that of the standard.Conclusions:All the synthesized compounds show moderate activity against the tested bacteria S.aurius,B.subtilus,and E.coli.So,further structural modification is necessary to improve the antibacterial action of 2-substituted-4,5-diphenyl-N-alkyl imidazole derivatives.

COVID-19-associated mucormycosis and treatments

In the current pandemic,COVID-19 patients with predisposing factors are at an increased risk of mucormycosis,an uncommon angioinvasive infection that is caused by fungi with Mucor genus which is mainly found in plants and soil.Mucormycosis development in COVID-19 patient is related to various factors,such as diabetes,immunocompromise and neutropenia.Excessive use of glucocorticoids for the treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients also leads to opportunistic infections,such as pulmonary aspergillosis.COVID-19 patients with mucormycosis have a very high mortality rate.This review describes the pathogenesis and various treatment approaches for mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients,including medicinal plants,conventional therapies,adjunct and combination therapies.