The level of quality management practices in childcare centers by using a Quality Improvements and Accreditation System (QIAS) Model

Background: The study was conducted in childcare centers that covered three states in the northern part of Malaysia. Thus, the Quality Improvements and Accreditation System (QIAS) instrument was used for this purpose.This is reflected in the seven (7) proportion quality areas in the QIAS, which are; staff relationships with children and peers; partnerships with families; programming and evaluation; children’s experiences and learning; protective care and safety; health, nutrition and well being; and managing to support quality. Objective: The objective of this paper is to disseminate findings and share best practices of early childcare operators, providers, principals, and teachers that handled children from birth to 6 years.It aimed to identify the level of quality management practices in childcare centers in Malaysia. Results: Data collected through the questionnaire depict a slightly different picture where the childcare providers and teachers reported that their practices were moderate in terms of staff relationships with children and peers, partnerships with families, programming and evaluation, children’s experiences and learning, and managing to support quality except protective care and safety which was high. Conclusion: This QIAS instrument is able to serve as a guidelines to the childcare center on what is needed and required to be look into and take into consideration in order to ensure the quality of childcare centers

Parametric modelling of Malaysian teeth template using computer aided design

This study explored a new method and process of design denture using CAD technology to develop a template of a complete denture. Computer aided design were used as a tool of the design process. Occlusion curve was set up as variable as to follow patient size. The maxilla and mandible teeth arrangement were treated as a template of Malaysian user. The accuracy of design is the main aspect of concern that match the patients' data so that the outcome product would be suitable with maximum comfort for the patient. The product of design template will be matched with the conventional method to compare the tolerance between both. The new design template helps to reduce the time consumption of conventional carving method. The final output of 3D geometry teeth templates design will represent the patient details

Amino acids status in Iranian rice (Oryza sativa L.) as affected by different salt compositions

Salinity is one of the major problems to increasing rice production in paddy field. The role of free amino acids as compatible solutes is controversial and the different salt compositions effect on rice response to salinity stress is not completely clear. Therefore a glasshouse experiment was carried out to determine free amino acid/acids which are involve in defense mechanism under salt stress conditions and different salt compositions effects on free amino acids status at seedling stage. Two rice genotypes differing in salinity resistance were grown hydroponically. The rice seedlings were exposed to salinity stress at EC 7 dS.m-1 by NaCl and mixture of NaCl:Na2SO4 at 1:2 and 2:1 molar ratios. Free amino acids in shoot and root tissue of rice seedlings were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The rice seedlings significantly showed amino acids accumulation in their shoots greater than in their roots. Khazar, a salt sensitive genotype, demonstrated higher total free amino acids and aspargine than Fajr, a salt tolerant genotype. A positive correlation between aspargine accumulation and water content percentage in shoot tissue was recorded. Likewise the results revealed that there was a significant difference across salt compositions. It was suggested that SO42 decreased Cl toxicity effects on rice seedlings growth

Perkembangan perusahaan perikanan di Semenanjung Malaysia: isu dan persoalan

The fishing sector is one of the significant economic sectors in Malaysia. This sector plays an important role as a contributor of a source of protein, to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar, KDNK), employment, and in the development of upstream and downstream industries which are based on fisheries. Aside from this, the fishing sector also aids in the decrease of the importation of the nation’s food supply. The fishing sector in Peninsular Malaysia has experienced rapid growth. While the contribution to this sector has been significant, it has also created issues and questions that need to be addressed immediately. This article will discuss the developmental points of fishery in Peninsular Malaysia at various important historical stages, beginning with the fishing industry before foreign powers conquered Malaysia to the period after Malaysia’s independence. At every stage, the changes that took place in fishing technology, model, marketing, the role of the government and its investors will be discussed. This discussion will also be focused on the issues and questions that have emerged from the fishing sector including the issues of source wastage, over-exploitation, foreign fishermen, water pollution and fish supply from other countries. The paper will then be focused on the approaches taken by the government of Malaysia in its effort to ensure the country’s acquisition of a suitable supply of fish

Taxonomic composition and abundance of zooplankton Copepoda in the coastal waters of Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia

The abundance and composition of copepod was carried out in the coastal waters of Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia on March 2005. Samples were collected using conical plankton net with the mesh size of 153 μm. Copepod identified comprised of four orders namely, Calanoida, Cyclopoida, Harpacticoida and Poecilostomatoida. A total of 49 species belonging to 26 genera were identified. Nine most abundant species were Paracalanus crassirostris, Paracalanus elegans, Temora stylifera, Temora turbinata, Oncaea venusta, Corycaeus andrewsi, Corycaeus subtilis, Paracalanus parvus and Paracalanus denudatus. The first four species mentioned were the most abundant species and they accounted for over 50% of the total numbers of identified copepods. Copepod species which were rare and low in abundance included Delius nudus, Acrocalanus gracilis, Tortanus forcipatus, Centropages orsini, Corycaeus dahlia, Copilia mirabilis, Labidocera minuta, Microstetella rosea and Cosmocalanus darwini. Cosmocalanus darwini is new record to Malaysian waters. Species richness and diversity tends to increase towards the offshore while abundance increased towards the inshore stations

A survey on weed diversity in coastal rice fields of Sebarang Perak in Peninsular Malaysia

A survey was conducted at 32 different rice fields in coastal zone of Sebarang Perak in West Malaysia to identify most common and prevalent weeds associated with rice. Fields surveyed were done according to the quantitative survey method by using 0.5m x 0.5m size quadrate with 20 samples from each field. Weeds present in each field were identified and the data were used to calculate frequency, field uniformity, density and relative abundance values for each species. A total of 40 different weed species belong to 16 families were identified of which 22 annual and 18 perennial; 12 grassy weeds, 10 sedges and 18 broadleaved weeds. On the basis of relative abundance the 13 most prevalent and abundant weed species were selected to determine their salt tolerance level as well as control method in the rice filed. Among the 13 most abundant weed species, there were five grasses viz. Echinochloa crus-galli, Leptochloa chinensis, E. colona, Oryza sativa L (weedy rice) and Ischaemum regosum; four sedges viz. Fimbristylis miliacea, Cyperus. iria, C. difformi and Scirpus grossus and four broadleaved weeds viz. Sphenoclea zeylanica, Jussiaea linifolia, Monocharia hastata and Sagitaria guyanensis. Based on relative abundance indicates that, annuals were more dominant than perennial

Distribution of Weed Population in the Costal Rice Growing Area of Kedah in Peninsular Malaysia

This study aimed to develop appropriate weed management technology on selected salt tolerant rice variety(s) as well as to develop package of production technologies for rice in saline environments of Malaysia. This study was conducted at 40 different rice fields in 10 blocks of Kedah coastal area of West Malaysia during June-July, 2009 to identify most common and prevalent weeds associated with rice. Fields survey were done according to the quantitative survey method by using 0.5x0.5 m size quadrate with 20 samples from each field. A total of 42 different weed species belonging to 17 families were identified of which 25 annual and 17 perennial; 9 grassy weeds, 11 sedges and 22 broadleaved weeds. Leptochloa chinensis, Echinochloa crusgalli, Fimbristylis miliacea, E. colona, Cyperus iria, Sphenoclea zeylanica, Cyperus deformis, Oryza sativa spontanea, Scirpus grossus and Jussia linifolia were most frequent species covering more than 50% fields. Based on relative abundance indices, annuals were more dominant than perennials. Leptochloa chinensis, Echinochloa crusgalli, Fimbristylis miliacea, E. colona were most dominant weed species in the coastal rice field of Kedah

Seed germination and proline accumulation in rice (oryza sativa L.) as affected by salt concentrations

Plant cells accumulate praline as an osmoprotectant to conserve osmotic stability and prevent damage. However, the accumulation of proline may not be associated with tolerance to salinity. This study considered the influences of NaCl and Na2SO4 compositions, at different concentrations, on seed germination and accumulation of proline in eleven rice genotypes. Rice seeds were grown in petri dishes in the laboratory and treated with distilled water as a control and NaCl and Na2SO4 (1:1 molar concentration ratio) at 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 dS m-1 electrical conductivity for 14 days. The mean germination time (MGT) was positively affected by the increase in the concentration of salt. Conversely, there was a negative relationship between germination index (GI) and salt concentration. Shirodi, Fajr, and Shafag can be classified into salt tolerant group, while Tarom-e-Hashemi was identified as salt susceptible, based on MGT and GI. Slight changes were recorded within dry weight and water content of seedlings at different salt levels. The maximum accumulation of proline was observed at 5 dS m-1 salt concentration. No relationship was established between the accumulation of proline and the growth parameters

Effect of salinity and alleviating role of gibberellic acid (GA3) for enhancement of rice yield

Salinity affects rice crop from sowing to harvesting; subsequently the rice area and production is decreasing with passage of time. The effect of salinity on rice and salinity relieving role of GA3 (150 ppm) was observed on two salt tolerant rice cvs. (Pokkali and MR219) grown in various salt concentration (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM) in glass house condition. A unit increase in salt concentration significantly decreased important yield components and consequently grain yield. Plants of MR219 grown in severe salinity stress (150 and 200 mM) could not initiate/form panicles and thus grains. However, Pokkali showed tolerance but, recorded low number of panicles and filled grains. Therefore, in the severe saline condition, GA3 could not play its salinity alleviating role, whereas, its impact was consistent in moderate salinity stress (50 and 100 mM)