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The fundamental objective of this study is to ascertain what metaphors and mental images that indigenous primary school pupils have in regard to mathematics. There are limited studies on the images and metaphors among indigenous primary school pupils. Forty Batek pupils between the ages of 7 and 14 who enrolled in the "Chup Badui Sikulah" programme at a rural school in Taman Negara Pahang participated in this study. Data was collected by using a written question form, which was then analysed using descriptive statistics in the form of percentages. The data collection was conducted by the classroom teacher. The study discovered that indigenous primary school pupils associated mathematics with physical exercise activities. Aside from that, most indigenous primary school pupils chose professions and tools to relate to mathematics, such as traders and pencils. Furthermore, drawings of mathematics by indigenous primary school pupils emphasized geometric shapes. In this context, the analysis of indigenous pupils' drawings assists in the formulation of ideas about their self-perceptions on the role of a mathematics pupil. These representations of mathematics can be done depending on what is easy to draw at the time and place in question. Similarly, the metaphors that they employed to depict themselves when studying mathematics may be based on random thoughts, and they may react to queries with minimal reflective thought. As a result, future research should incorporate more components into the instrument in order to gain in depth understanding of the mathematics held by indigenous primary school pupils. Finally, the images and metaphors presented in this study can be used to interpret the beliefs and learning processes of indigenous primary school pupils in a specific context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geopolymer concrete is produced without cement, the main material used is fly ash. The alkaline activator solutions used are sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate Na2SiO3. To make geopolymer concrete having a compressive strength according to the plan, one thing that needs to be done is curing. This study examines the effect of the curing method on fly ash-based geopolymer concrete. Three curing methods, namely conventional, heat curing, and steam curing, were used to determine the effect of temperature differences on the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete. Cylindrical specimens used 12 M NaOH, Na2SiO3, water, and fly ash in a ratio of 3:1:6:25. The compressive strength of the concrete was tested on the specimens after 28 days. The results showed that there was an increase in the compressive strength of concrete in heat curing and steam curing at temperatures of 50°, 60°, and 70°C by 8-21% for heat curing and 2-4% for steam curing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A few years of experience of teaching mathematics make us notice that the same types of mistakes are done repeatedly by students. This paper presents an insight into categories of mistakes, how male and female students differ in terms of mistakes that are commonly done and the ability of the students to identify the mistakes. Sample of mistakes were taken from Calculus 1 final exam answer scripts, then it was listed and analyzed. Data analysis revealed that students' misconceptions fall into four categories. The first category is misunderstanding the meaning of brackets, followed by misconception of basic mathematics rules, misconception in notation and misconception in properties of trigonometry. A mistake identification test which consists of ten false mathematical statements was designed based on the mistake done by the previous batch of students that covered topics algebra, trigonometry, index, limit, differentiation and integration. Then, the test was given to students who enrolled in Calculus I course. Respondents of this study were randomly selected among two hundreds engineering students. Data obtained were analyzed using basic descriptive analysis and Chi Square test to capture gender differences in the mistake done for each category. Findings indicate that thirty five percent of the students have the ability to identify the mistakes and make a proper correction for at most two statements. Thirty one percent of the students are able to identify the mistakes but unable to make proper correction. Twenty five percent of the students failed to identify the mistakes in six out of ten false statements. Female students' misconception is more likely in basic mathematics rules compared to male. The findings of this study could serve as baseline information to be stressed in improving teaching and learning mathematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface sediments samples were collected at 11 stations around the Pulau Tinggi, Johor in September 2015. A total of 15 PAHs were determined and quantified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The total PAH concentrations of surface sediments from Pulau Tinggi ranged from 39.61 ng/g to 149.2 ng/g and they were classified as being in low to moderate pollution range. Individual PAH analysis showed that two and three rings PAHs were the most frequently detected isomers and accounted for 22 - 46% of the total PAH concentrations. The sources of PAHs were evaluated by employing diagnostic ratiosof specific PAH compounds.PAH ratios analysis showed a prevalence of pyrogenic PAH origin at most of the stations with exception of only a few stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrobenthos are very useful organisms for monitoring marine environmental and widely use in marine ecology research. They are able to monitor the difference phase in the recovery stage of disturbed sites by appear different species macrobenthos after the cessation of the impact. Univariate and multivariate methods were use to study the macrobenthos community within Sungai Pulai estuary, Johor, Malaysia. Five sub-samples were taken at each sampling sites by using 10 cm diameter corer. Crustaceans were the most abundant at Tanjung Adang (St. 1) and the station of non-seagrass area (St. 2) while polychaetes were the most abundant at Merambong Shoal (St. 3). Higher density of macrobenthos was found at St.3 followed by St. 1 and St. 2. The commonly used population indices such as diversity, richness, evenness and dominance were employed to determine the differences in diversity and abundance of macrobenthos. The diversity, richness and evenness index values showed slight increment from Station 1 to Station 3, while the dominance index decreasing trend from Station 1 to Station 3. A total 21 polychaete families were collected in Sungai Pulai estuary, which was dominated by the Spionidae, Capitellidae and Glyceridae. Cluster (Bray-Curtis similarities) analyses revealed that the Tanjung Adang and Merambong Shoal population were clearly separated from the station non-seagrass. For the time being factors that influence the pattern of distribution of the macrobenthos cannot be determined and subjected to further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]