Performance of mechanical weeding levels on yield and vegetative component of rice under the system of rice intensification (SRI) at Tanjung Karang irrigation scheme, Malaysia

Among the practices of System of Rice intensification is the intensive mechanical weeding need at 10 to 12 days intervals up to 40 days after transplanting (DAT) or canopy closure. This practice aerates the soil, adds biomass and increase yield. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of levels of mechanical weeding using four different locally fabricated rotary weeders on the yield and vegetative components of rice under the System of Rice Intensification at Tanjung Karang Irrigation Scheme of Malaysia. Results indicated that mechanical wedding levels had a significant effect on vegetative paddy height at P (0.05) level with 60.05 cm as the highest average vegetative height obtained at three levels of rotavation (mechanical weeding) using treatment D. The analysis of variance of the yield from the treatments indicates a significant difference in yield with increase in the levels of mechanical weeding with 13.1 tons/Ha being the highest obtained from treatment D (three levels of rotavation) at 30DAT. The lack of machine ground clearance hindered weeding up to canopy closure or 40 DAT

A retrospective study on predictive risk of infection complication post percutaneous nephrolithotomy in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from 2013 to 2018

Background: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has become a standard procedure in a large, complex stone of the upper urinary tract since it was introduced into the endourologist’s armamentarium 4 decades back. Though the procedure is safe, complication still occur and are well reported in literature. This study aims to investigate the pre- and intraoperative predictors on infective complication in patient undergoing PCNL in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Methodology: This is a retrospective cohort study in a single institution involving patients undergoing PCNL between 2013 and 2018 in a teaching hospital at East Coast Malaysia. The variables were categorized into preoperative risk factors and intraoperative risk factors and the outcomes measured include infection complications of fever, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factor associated with infective complication. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26. Result: We identified 86 consecutive patients who underwent primary PCNL that fulfil the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of infective complications was 31.4% (95% CI = 21.8,42.3), SIRS 17 patients (n=19.8%) and sepsis 6 patients (n=7%). There was no significant association between age, present of comorbidities, ethnicity, present of hydronephrosis and duration of surgery with the occurrence of infective complications. Those with infective complications were more likely to be associated with choice o

The effect of filler loading and silane coupling agent on properties of rice husk powder filled natural rubber compounds / Razif Nordin, Said C. S. and Ismail H.

The effect of silane coupling agent, bis(triethoxysilyl propyl) tetrasulphide, Si69 on cure characteristics and mechanical properties of rice husk powder, RHP filled natural rubber, NR compounds were studied. Scorch time t2 and cure time t90 of the compounds decrease with increasing filler loading and with presence of a silane coupling agent, Si69. However, minimum torque increases with increasing filler loading but at a similar filler loading shows lower value with the presence of Si69. The mechanical properties of compounds viz tensile strength, tensile modulus and hardness were also increased while resilience decreases with additional of Si6

Pengajaran Bahasa Arab di Malaysia: Permasalahan dan Cabaran: Teaching of Arabic in Malaysia: Problems and Challenges

The Arabic language education has a unique position in the Malaysia education system. Arabic is the core in the pondok instituition and the religious schools, but now has become one of the subjects in the primary eduation system in Malaysia. In an effort to strengthen the Arab language education in Malaysia, the issue of teaching the Arabic language among teachers is often debated. Thus, this study was conducted with the aim to discuss in detail some of the problems in teaching Arabic faced by teachers in Malaysia as well as the challenges faced in efforts to uphold the environments in all levels. This study was conducted using qualitative approach to collect and examine information relating to the Arabic language education through the Education Act 1996 and past studies such as journals, articles and even books. Findings the study found, the main problems faced by teachers of Arabic much related to the fundamental issues, policies and status of Arabic Language in Education Act 1996. ABSTRAK Pendidikan Bahasa Arab mempunyai kedudukan yang unik dalam sistem pendidikan di Malaysia. Bahasa Arab merupakan asas dalam pendidikan pondok dan sistem sekolah aliran agama suatu ketika dahulu, namun kini menjadi salah satu matapelajaran dalam arus pendidikan perdana. Dalam usaha memperkasa pendidikan Bahasa Arab di Malaysia, isu permasalahan guru dalam pengajaran bahasa Arab sering kali diperdebatkan. Justeru, kajian ini dijalankan dengan tujuan membincangkan secara terperinci beberapa permasalahan dalam pengajaraan bahasa Arab yang dihadapi oleh guru-guru di Malaysia serta cabaran-cabaran yang dihadapi dalam usaha memartabatkan pengajarannya di semua peringkat. Kajian ini dijalankan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan mengumpul dan meneliti maklumat-maklumat berkaitan pendidikan Bahasa Arab menerusi Akta Pendidikan 1996 serta kajian-kajian lampau seperti jurnal, artikel mahupun buku. Dapatan kajian mendapati, permasalahan utama yang dihadapi oleh guru bahasa Arab banyak bertumpu kepada faktor guru, faktor bahan bantu mengajar dan faktor persekitaran. Cabaran pendidikan bahasa Arab di Malaysia pula sangat berkait rapat dengan isu dasar, polisi, status dan kedudukannya dalam Akta Pendidikan 1996 dan ia perlu ditangani dengan baik

Evaluating TPACK Knowledge and Skills Among Arabic Pre-Service Teachers in Implementing Online Assessment During Movement Restriction Control (MCO) Of COVID-19

The importance of having the knowledge and skills in Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) among teachers when dealing with teaching via technology is very clear. In TPACK, there are three essential components that need to be practiced during teaching and learning in using technologies, including the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted to evaluate the level of TPACK knowledge and skill among Arabic trainee teachers in implementing online teaching and assessment during Movement Restriction Control (MCO) of COVID-19 by the Malaysian government, whereby the schools are closed to face-to-face learning activities. The pre-service teachers were purposively selected among final year students of Bachelor of Education in Teaching Arabic as a Second Language, from the Kulliyah of Education, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). They weresentto various secondary schools in Selangor to complete the graduation requirement of Bachelor of Education degree in teaching practicum. The research instruments were investigating the teachers’ knowledge about three essential components of TPACK, which include technology, content, and pedagogy as well as open-ended surveys on obstacles and challenges in home-based teaching and online assessment of Arabic language before and during MCO, online learning platforms used and further suggestions to improve the use of technology in implementing online assessment of Arabic language teaching in schools during pandemic. Thefindings showed that the understanding of the trainee teachers’ level of knowledge and understanding of TPACK is very good towards implementing online teaching and assessment during the home-based and online teaching during pandemic. The responses of online learning platforms used and proposed suggestions to improve the use of technology in implementing online assessment may also beneficial to teachers in preparing the online teaching and assessment in home-based setting during COVID-19 pandemic

The effectiveness of blog Informatic Zone to the information management students in UiTM Sarawak / Mohd Razif Salji, Sharin Sulaiman and Abdul Ismail Mohd Jawi

Information is very important nowadays by delivering message from sender to recipient through variety of mediums. By using information, everybody can be able to interact between each other and it will create network sharing. However, there are difficult to share information using printed form and when the records keep in manual format, the information was not distribute in rapid, effective and efficient way. Objective of this research was to study the students’ opinion on the blog Informatic Zone. Students in UiTM, Kota Samarahan campus have answered a questionnaire regarding usage and effect of the blog Informatic Zone. Towards identifying students usage, it focused on how many respondents have their own blog, identifying respondents awareness on objectives, where they know the existence, how many times they serve in a week, how long they surf, did respondents give any comment and do they satisfied with the information posted in the blog Informatic Zone. On effect to the students, it would discussed on if the blog Informatic Zone can improve social networking, obtain friends, opinion on effectiveness of blog, improve sense of awareness, improve writing skill and opportunity to share knowledge. In conclusion, respondents understood the purpose of usage and can identified the effect of the blog Informatic Zone

Trend in the development of oil palm fruit harvesting technologies in Malaysia

Harvesting oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFB) on tall oil palm trees is a laborious and hazardous task. Lately, with the escalating problem of labor shortage, the exigent demand to mechanize the harvesting task cannot be overlooked. Over the years, many harvesting methods and technologies have been used and developed to increase the harvesting productivity. This paper reviews the conventional manual harvesting using manual labor, mechanization of harvesting task using harvesting machines as well as research on climbing robots for harvesting FFB in Malaysia. In essence, it provides an overview of the trend in the development of harvesting technologies in Malaysia. Realizing the potential of climbing robots for harvesting, the morphological structures and physical characteristics of oil palm trunks in its natural surroundings are examined closely to identify the challenges in the climbing and harvesting processes. Next, a set of design criteria is introduced to overcome those challenges. In addition, several mechanisms are proposed which play integral parts in enhancing the climbing and harvesting tasks

Adaptive Management Framework for Evaluating and Adjusting Microclimate Parameters in Tropical Greenhouse Crop Production Systems

High operational costs of greenhouse production in hot and humid climate condition due to the initial investments on structure, equipment, and energy necessitate practicing advanced techniques for more efficient use of available resources. This chapter describes design and concepts of an adaptive management framework for evaluating and adjusting optimality degrees and comfort ratios of microclimate parameters, as well as predicting the expected yield in greenhouse cultivation of tomato. A systematic approach is presented for automatic data collection and processing with the objective to produce knowledge‐based information in achieving optimum microclimate for high‐quality and high‐yield tomato. Applications of relevant computer models are demonstrated through case‐study examples for use in an iterative way to simulate and compare different scenarios. The presented framework can contribute to future studies for providing best management decisions such as site selection, optimum growing season, scheduling efficiencies, energy management with different climate control systems, and risk assessments associated with each task

The Effect of Owner-Manager’s Safety Leadership and Supervisor’s Safety Roles on Safety Performance in SME Manufacturing

Small and Medium Entrepreneurships (SME) is the backbone of the country economic growth. However, most of workplace accidents in Malaysia come from the SME sector. Considering financial and workforce limitations own by SMEs as compared to huge firms, this fact advocates the scholars and also practitioners of occupational safety and health (OSH) to find suitable and inexpensive approaches in improving safety performance of the SMEs. Based on previous researches, results showed that safety leadership variables have significant influence on safety performance. Besides, supervisor roles in safety also imposed significant effect to safety performance. Thus, study attempted to determine the direct impact of safety leadership (safety concern, safety policy, and safety motivation) played by the owner-managers on safety performance within the SME manufacturers in Selangor, Malaysia. Furthermore, this study also evaluated the effect of supervisor safety roles in mediating the effect of safety leadership and safety performance. The data was collected among 165 SME manufacturing workers from 37 factories and Partial Least Square Structured Equation Model (PSL-SEM) was performed for data analyses. The results indicated that safety leadership in terms of safety concern, safety policy, and safety motivation has significant impact on safety performance and also supervisor safety roles. However, supervisor safety roles do not mediate the relationship between safety concern, safety policy, and safety motivation and safety performance. Furthermore, safety performance variance is 70% explained by safety leadership variables. This results proved the idea of the importance of direct safety management by the owner-managers in elevating level of OSH among SMEs. This research findings also could serve as initial reference for the involving parties to design and establish safety leadership programmes for SMEs owner-managers. This research concluded that considering the limitations and constrains of the SMEs, safety leadership approach delivered by their the owner-managers could be the best way to improve safety performance constraints

Evaluating TPACK knowledge and skills among Arabic pre-service teachers in implementing online assessment during movement restriction control (MCO) of COVID-19

The importance of having the knowledge and skills in Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) among teachers when dealing with teaching via technology is very clear. In TPACK, there are three essential components that need to be practiced during teaching and learning in using technologies, including the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted to evaluate the level of TPACK knowledge and skill among Arabic trainee teachers in implementing online teaching and assessment during Movement Restriction Control (MCO) of COVID-19 by the Malaysian government, whereby the schools are closed to face-to-face learning activities. The pre-service teachers were purposively selected among final year students of Bachelor of Education in Teaching Arabic as a Second Language, from the Kulliyah of Education, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). They were sent to various secondary schools in Selangor to complete the graduation requirement of Bachelor of Education degree in teaching practicum. The research instruments were investigating the teachers’ knowledge about three essential components of TPACK, which include technology, content, and pedagogy as well as open-ended surveys on obstacles and challenges in home-based teaching and online assessment of Arabic language before and during MCO, online learning platforms used and further suggestions to improve the use of technology in implementing online assessment of Arabic language teaching in schools during pandemic. The findings showed that the understanding of the trainee teachers’ level of knowledge and understanding of TPACK is very good towards implementing online teaching and assessment during the home-based and online teaching during pandemic. The responses of online learning platforms used and proposed suggestions to improve the use of technology in implementing online assessment may also beneficial to teachers in preparing the online teaching and assessment in home-based setting during COVID-19 pandemic