Journal of Science and Mathematics Letters最新文献

{"title":"Analysing Customers’ Waiting Time Using Discrete-Event Simulation: A Case Study in A University Printing Shop","authors":"Norazura Ahmad, Tan Wei Mey, Teoh Kher Nee","doi":"10.37134/JSML.VOL7.4.2019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37134/JSML.VOL7.4.2019","url":null,"abstract":"This paper discusses the application of discrete-event simulation (DES) in modelling the waiting lines in a printing shop located in Universiti Utara Malaysia.  This work is based on a group project in a course taught in the Decision Sciences Degree. The paper demonstrates the methodology used to develop the simulation model of the existing system. The developed model was run to further understand the state of operations in the printing shop. The developed model also facilitates experimenting for a possible alternative solution. The finding of the research has given the insight to reduce the waiting time for a better service in the printing shop. It was found that the average waiting time in the printing queue is reduced to less than a minute by adding an extra resource.","PeriodicalId":171468,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Science and Mathematics Letters","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130358808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Community’s Existing Practices and Knowledge on Recycling at Kundasang, Sabah","authors":"L. A. Manaf, Fatma Sabariah Alias, M. Ariffin, S. Abdullah","doi":"10.37134/JSML.VOL7.2.2019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37134/JSML.VOL7.2.2019","url":null,"abstract":"Recycling is known as the best approach to reduce disposal costs and prolongs the lifespan of landfill sites. However, the ignorance and negligence on the importance of recycling have lead to various solid waste management problems. This paper investigates the community willingness to participate in recycling practices through community waste bank in Kundasang, Sabah. Prior to the implementation of waste bank in Kundasang, a questionnaire survey was conducted to 300 households in four main villages. About 66.7% of respondents has agreed on the implementation of community waste bank as the community recyclables collection. The existing recycling activities were low as only 34.2% of the respondents practice solid waste separation at source. Other findings revealed that community’s recycling practices was influenced by their socio-economic background. Respondents’ education level was shown to influence their knowledge on solid waste separation and recycling practices. Although the majority of the respondent had completed their education in secondary school, about 61% of respondents were willing to participate in the waste bank.  Moreover, 63% of respondents were interested in the waste bank program if incentives were given to the respondents as a reward. Additionally, the findings revealed younger generation in range 19 years old and below were likely to involve with the recycling activities compare to age range 20 years old to 49 years old. Hence, these findings suggested a positive community’s acceptance on waste bank implementation in Kundasang. The community waste bank was expected to create positive attitude towards recycling practices and therefore contribute to the local environmental conservation.","PeriodicalId":171468,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Science and Mathematics Letters","volume":"89 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131244687","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Conservation and Collection of Cocoa Insects Fauna at the Malaysian Cocoa Board","authors":"S. Bakar","doi":"10.37134/jsml.vol7.1.2019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37134/jsml.vol7.1.2019","url":null,"abstract":"Cocoa ecosystem provides favorable conditions for numerous insect species, with more than 200 species were recorded in Malaysia. Some of the insects are economically important, particularly insects that are associated with cocoa. A collection of insects was carried out throughout Malaysia via insect expeditions, field observations, and samplings in various landscapes, ranging from monoculture to intercropping planting systems. This involves several techniques such as hand-picked, baiting techniques, sweeping for aerial and flying insects, trapping for crawling and ground surface insects as well as light traps for nocturnal insects. To date, more than 10,000 individual insects were collected since 1981. Of these, 11 orders of insect from 177 families belonging to more than 600 species were identified, deposited and conserved in the Insect Museum at the Entomological Unit of the Malaysian Cocoa Board Hilir Perak. In order to disseminate information on the biodiversity of insect pests and diseases of cocoa to the target users, the online portal was developed in 2013. The portal, Cocoa Pests and Diseases (CROPED) can be accessed online at the URL of http://croped.koko.my. Until November 2018, 50 articles mainly on the management of pests and diseases of cocoa were uploaded with detail description of 28 species of insects. Conservation of thousands of live specimens is currently maintained at the Insect Museum. This information was made available to the public and researchers for further reference.","PeriodicalId":171468,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Science and Mathematics Letters","volume":"35 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127539912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimization for Detection of On-Site Phosphate Contamination Qualitatively","authors":"S. Hashim, N. N. Rodzali, N. Muhammad, Siti Nur Azmu’i Abdullah, N. Hasmi, Amir Arif Kamarudin, Siti Nor Anissa Nor Azlan, Nurul Syahniza Saharudin, Nur Fatin Afiqah Nor Rahim","doi":"10.37134/JSML.VOL7.3.2019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37134/JSML.VOL7.3.2019","url":null,"abstract":"Water pollution is a serious case when the amount of phosphate exceeds the safe level. This phenomenon will lead to eutrophication so it affects the underwater organism. Therefore, water samples at site sites need to be tested directly so that contamination can be detected immediately. The objective of this study is to design a test kit to detect phosphate content in water by minimizing the use of reagents and water samples. The quantities of reagents tested were ammonium molybdate (0.5 and 1 mL) and stannous chloride (1 and 2 drops) at different phosphate concentrations. The quantities of reagents that have been identified were then tested on the number of different water samples (25, 20, 15, 10 and 5 mL) and color changes were documented. It has been identified that the volume of reagents for identification of phosphate contamination, respectively is 0.5 ml and 1 drop of reagents for molybdate and stannous chloride. Whereas, the minimum amount of water required for this test is 15 ml. The phosphate test kit is then specially designed and the accuracy of the reading kit has been identified by conducting a qualitative phosphate contamination test in the pool or river area directly on three different water samples. Quantitative analysis is also done by reading pollution via UV-Vis spectrophotometer. There was little difference in the amount of phosphate content through both analyses.","PeriodicalId":171468,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Science and Mathematics Letters","volume":"48 21","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"120815434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Introduction to Documentation of Nepenthes Species in Bako National Park, Sarawak","authors":"M. Bukhori, Rohaizan Daud, Christharina S. Gintoron, Roberta Chaya Tawie Tingga, Raziman Iman Ghazali","doi":"10.37134/JSML.VOL6.1.2018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37134/JSML.VOL6.1.2018","url":null,"abstract":"In order to accomplish the learning objectives of ecology, biodiversity and environment course, in situ activities remain the finest key to complement by conducting real fieldwork experiments. The specific objectives of the fieldwork are to ensure sustainable learning, adopting best practice in scientific documentation, and implementing holistic and integrated learning approach in the course. Therefore, related field topic was given to the students and resulted with the following attributes. Four different species of pitcher plants were identified and classified throughout the study. The recent biology educational trip to Bako National Park had documented various well-known species of Nepenthes. Information on Nepenthes species present in the parks is useful for educational and research purposes, developing a conservation plan and management and also helps in promoting ecotourism. The trip was conducted to introduce a comprehensive learning experience to the students in biodiversity-related discipline.","PeriodicalId":171468,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Science and Mathematics Letters","volume":"75 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132035919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Keberkesanan Antibiotik Titisan Mata Gentamicin Terhadap Sista Acanthamoeba spp. Isolat Klinikal","authors":"M. A. Ghani, Noramalina, Anisah Nordin, Y. Suboh, Noraina Abd Rahim, N. Ahmad","doi":"10.37134/JSML.VOL6.7.2018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37134/JSML.VOL6.7.2018","url":null,"abstract":"Acanthamoeba spp. boleh menyebabkan keratitis kepada manusia, khasnya kepada pemakai kanta sentuh yang tidak menitikberatkan aspek higen kanta sentuh. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji keberkesanan antibiotik titisan mata Gentamicin terhadap sista Acanthamoeba isolat klinikal iaitu HKL 5, HKL 11, HKL 32, dan HKL 51. Kajian dimulakan dengan melakukan suspensi sista terhadap keempat-empat isolat klinikal tersebut. Mikropencairan terhadap antimikrob dilakukan dan kemudiannya suspensi sista ditambah, seterusnya dieramkan selama 24 jam pada 30oC sebelum dipindahkan ke atas plat agar bukan nutrien (NNA) yang dilapisi E. coli matian haba. Plat agar diperhatikan setiap hari sehingga hari yang ke-14 untuk mengesan sebarang kehadiran trofozoit di bawah mikroskop inverted. Kehadiran trofozoit Acanthamoeba menunjukkan bahawa antibiotik ujian tidak berkesan terhadap sista Acanthamoeba. Gentamicin berkesan terhadap sista Acanthamoeba, dengan nilai purata sistisidal minimum (MCC) 1453.1 μg/ml. Gentamicin merupakan antibiotik yang boleh digunakan dalam rawatan keratitis Acanthamoeba memandangkan kepada keberkesanannya terhadap sista Acanthamoeba isolat klinikal dalam kajian ini. \u0000__________________________________________________________________________ \u0000Acanthamoeba spp. may cause keratitis in humans especially amongst the contact lens wearers who do not practice good hygienic care of contact lenses. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Gentamicin on four clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba cysts from Kuala Lumpur Hospital consisting HKL 5, HKL 11, HKL 32, and HKL 51. Cysts suspensions of all 4 clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba were prepared. Microdilution of antimicrobial was prepared and cyst suspension was added and later incubated at 30oC for 24 hours before being transferred onto non-nutrient agar (NNA) plates seeded with heat-killed E.coli. The plates were observed daily until day 14 to detect the presence of trophozoites under inverted microscope. The presence of trophozoite stage indicates ineffectiveness of the tested antibiotic towards Acanthamoeba cysts. Gentamicin was found to be effective against Acanthamoeba cysts with MCC mean value of 1453.1 μg/ml. Gentamicin could be used for the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis as it exhibited cysticidal effect on all isolates of Acanthamoeba cysts in this study. \u0000Keywords: Topical antibiotic eyedrop, Gentamicin, Acanthamoeba, Malaysia","PeriodicalId":171468,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Science and Mathematics Letters","volume":"30 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121186667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Formulasi Inokulan Biosintetik dan Pembinaan Model Statistik Verhulst","authors":"Zulkifley Mohamed, Haniza Hanim Mohd Zain, Illyas Md Isa, Husni Ibrahim","doi":"10.37134/JSML.VOL6.3.2018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37134/JSML.VOL6.3.2018","url":null,"abstract":"Penyelidikan yang dilakukan bertujuan mensintesis, mengformulasi dan menilai inokulan biosintetik bagi penghasilan resin gaharu. Bagi mengformulasi inokulan biosintetik, beberapa bahan digunakan termasuklah madu lebah, susu segar, sukros, air kelapa, dan kulat Fusarium solani yang diadun dengan menggunakan sukatan tertentu. Inokulan biosintetik diformulasi di makmal Biologi, Fakulti Sains dan Matematik, UPSI. Inokulan biosintetik yang diformulasi diuji terhadap tujuh batang pokok gaharu di Slim River, Perak dengan teknik suntikan lubang bor, suntikan titisan mata, dan sapuan. Hasil resin gaharu dituai dalam tempoh enam bulan dari tarikh suntikan. Sampel resin gaharu dipungut diuji di makmal Kimia, FSM, UPSI. Kualiti resin gaharu dianalisis dengan teknik Kromatografi Gas-Spektrometri Jisim (GCMS). Parameter kualiti resin gaharu yang diamati adalah warna dan keharuman. Manakala populasi Fusarium solani dalam inokulan biosintetik dianggar dengan menggunakan model statistik Verhulst. Dapatan penyelidikan menunjukkan bahawa inokulan biosintetik yang diformulasi berjaya menghasilkan resin gaharu dalam jangka masa enam bulan dengan teknik suntikan lubang bor dan titisan mata. Model statistik Verhulst populasi Fusarium solani pada masa (t) yang dibina adalah x(t)=k/(1+(k/x_0 - 1)e^ -rt) . Kesimpulannya, penyelidikan ini berjaya mengformulasi inokulan biosintetik dan membina model statistik Verhulst bagi menganggar populasi Fusarium solani. Implikasi daripada penyelidikan ini adalah inokulan biosintetik yang terformulasi sesuai digunakan dalam penghasilan resin gaharu dan boleh dikomersialkan. \u0000----------------------------------------------------------------- \u0000The research aimed at synthesizing, formulating and evaluating biosynthetic inoculant in producing of agarwood resins. In order to formulate biosynthetic inoculant, some of the ingredients used include bee honey, fresh milk, sucrose, coconut water, and Fusarium solanium fungus which were mixed at a certain measurement level. The biosynthetic inoculant was formulated in Biology laboratory, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, UPSI. The formulated inoculant was tested on seven agarwood trees in Slim River, Perak using hole drilling, eye drop injection techniques, and wiping. The agarwood resin was harvested six months after the injection process. The sample of agarwood resin was tested in Chemistry laboratory, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, UPSI. The quality of the agarwood resin was analyzed using the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) technique. The quality parameters of the agarwood resin that were observed were the color and fragrance. The Fusarium solani population of biosynthetic inoculant was estimated using Verhulst’s statistical model. The research findings revealed that the formulated biosynthetic inoculation successfully produced agarwood resin within a period of six months with hole drilling and eye drops injection techniques. The Verhult’s statistical model of the Fusarium so","PeriodicalId":171468,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Science and Mathematics Letters","volume":"124 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127479379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optical Properties of Neodymium Doped Magnesium Zinc Sulfo- Phopshate Glass: Impact of Gold Nanoparticles Inclusion","authors":"N. N. Yusof, S. K. Ghoshal","doi":"10.37134/jsml.vol6.8.2018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37134/jsml.vol6.8.2018","url":null,"abstract":"Gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated in magnesium zinc sulfo-phosphate glass with the molar composition of (58.5P_2O_5–20MgO–20ZnSO_4–1.5Nd_2O_3–xAu NPs (where x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mol%) were prepared via melt quench technique. The effect of Au NPs as incorporated in Nd^3+ doped glasses were studied using X‒ray diffraction (XRD), High Resolution-Transmission Electron Microscope (HR‒TEM), UV‒Visible-NIR absorption spectrometer and photoluminescence spectrometer. The amorphous nature of glass is confirmed via XRD measurements and existence of Au NPs inside the glass is reveal by HR-EM. The typical absorption bands of Nd^3+ are attained which positioned around 352, 430, 459, 474, 512, 525, 581, 626, 682, 744, 801and 875 nm. Up-conversion (UC) photoluminescence (PL) demonstrated six prominent emission bands located around 420, 445, 460, 484, 515 and 545 nm corresponding transition 2P_1/2--> 4I_9/2, 2D_5/2-->4I_11/2, 2P_1/2-->4I_11/2, 2D_5/2-->4I_13/2, 2K_15/2,4G_7/2-->4I_11/2,4I_9/2 and 2D_5/2-->4I_15/2 respectively. Glass containing 0.1 mol% of Au NPs shows utmost PL enhancement and the emission decrease beyond 0.1 mol% of Au NPs depicts re-absorption of SPR and increase of non-radiative channel. The improvement of PL intensity attributed to local field effect of Au NPs that altered the environment in proximity Nd^3+ ions. The proposed glass could be potential for improvement of solid state laser design.","PeriodicalId":171468,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Science and Mathematics Letters","volume":"19 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131767729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phytochemical Screening and Proximate Analysis of Ethanolic Leaves Extract of Cassia tora","authors":"K. Muhammad, F. T. Akanji, Shajarahtunnur Jamil, N. Basar, Samira Mahadi","doi":"10.37134/jsml.vol6.2.2018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37134/jsml.vol6.2.2018","url":null,"abstract":"Cassia tora is a leguminous plant belonging to the family Fabaceae and are used for the treatment of lepsory, psoriasis, ringworm, ulcers, skin diseases and as a laxative and antiasthenic. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract of Cassia tora was carried out using standard methods while the nutritional values were studied for moisture content, ash content, crude lipids, crude fibre, crude protein and carbohydrates. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the leaves indicated the presence of anthraquinones, flavonoids, steroids/triterpenoids, fats, tannins, alkaloids, carbohydrates, phlobatannins and glycosides. The proximate analysis of the leaves revealed that it contained crude fat 6.01%, crude fibre 7.54%, moisture 10.23%, ash content 15.01%, crude protein 27.34% and carbohydrate 33.69%. Cassia tora leaves could be a potential source of nutritional and mineral elements that may be useful in nutrition. The phytochemicals observed in this study explained the medicinal action of the plant encountered in its therapeutic uses. The study demonstrated that, Cassia tora leaves could serve as an important source of nutrition and ethno medicine for animals and humans.","PeriodicalId":171468,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Science and Mathematics Letters","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134534665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection of Porcine Based Materials in Processed Food Using Polymerase Chain Reaction Method","authors":"K. H. Yen, M. Mohamadin, S. A. Omar, Shah Jahan","doi":"10.37134/JSML.VOL6.6.2018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.37134/JSML.VOL6.6.2018","url":null,"abstract":"The detection of halal adulteration in processed food, particularly the presence of porcine based material, be it human or animal food is very important to safeguard the interest of Muslim consumers. Many techniques have been developed to determine such adulteration which can ascertain the halal status of food products. In this paper, the presence of porcine based materials in few processed foods namely meat products, candy products, and animal feeds obtained from Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia were screened by using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. Findings revealed that all processed meat samples showed a positive result of the presence of porcine DNA. A similar result was also obtained for a few samples of animal feeds and candy products. As such, further study is required to verify the results.","PeriodicalId":171468,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Science and Mathematics Letters","volume":"9 1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132373717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}