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Scombrids are the important component of pelagic fishery resources which include 54 species under 15 genera commonly known as mackerels, bonitos, and tunas. Due to the high commercial value attained, there are real chances of fraudulent substitution by species of inferior value. DNA based species identification methods can be applied to detect product adulteration, as well as to better contribute to the conservation and management of these species by providing accurate species identification independently of the age of the individuals or the tissue processed. In this study, a total of 15 commercially important scombrid species from Indian waters were analyzed. Due to the inadequacy of mitochondrial COI barcoding gene in discriminating between some Thunnus species, cytochrome b sequences were used instead. For all the 15 species, we propose a DNA character-based keys which uses a diagnostic combination of nucleotides and respective probes, including the first character-based keys and probes to differentiate between Thunnus albacares and T. obsesus.

The present study was on the analysis of phytochemical constituents of Coleus forskohlii rhizome collected from Thiruvannamalai of Tamil Nadu and testing for its antimicrobial potential against human bacterial pathogens. The dried tubers were extracted using different solvents such as ethanol, aqueous, acetone, chloroform and petroleum ether and screened. The total tannin and saponin content in the extract was estimated. The crude ethanolic solvent extract of C. forskohlii was tested for its antimicrobial activity using disc diffusion method. Phytochemical screening of the crude solvent extracts revealed the presence of tannins, phenols, saponins, quinone, flavonoids, cardiac glycoside, terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, and coumarins. Tannic acid was found in the level of 53.47 ±0.37 mg TAE/g. Saponin content was 2.42±0.63 mg/g dry weight. The crude ethanolic rhizome extract was tested in three different concentrations (10, 20 and 30mg/ml). Maximum antibacterial activity was noted against Bacillus subtilis (15 mm), followed by Bacillus cereus (14 mm), P. aeruginosa (12 mm) and S. aureus (12mm). E. coli was not inhibited even at the highest concentration tested (i.e.) 30mg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the pathogens tested were 1.4±0.02, 1.590±0.02, 1.820±0.02 and 2.350±0.02 mg/ml respectively to B. subtilis, B. cereus, P. aeruginosa , and S. aureus. Similarly, the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for B. subtilis, B. cereus, P. aeruginosa , and S. aureus were respectively of 2.89±0.02, 3.833±0.05, 3.842±0.01 and 4.856±0.05 mg/ml. In time-kill assay 3 Log reduction was found to be around 11 h for B. subtilis, around 12 h for B. cereus for P. aeruginosa around 13 h and above 14 and less than 15 h for S. aureus. The study showed the antimicrobial potential of ethanol extract of C. forskohlii tuber against human bacterial pathogens and hence it seems to be useful in the preparation of drug formulations.

Purpose: Collaborative learning has been increasingly recognized as an effective approach to promote students' success in higher education. To better understand the factors that contribute to successful collaborative learning, this study applied the Biggs' presage-process-product (3P) general model of learning to investigate the role of teaching quality, student-faculty interaction, and relatedness as presage factors, collaborative learning as process factor, and reflective and integrative learning and higher-order thinking as product factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional approach was applied in this study, which included 1,892 Malaysian undergraduates. The study used the Quality of University Learning Experience (QULEX) survey to measure various constructs. First, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to establish the psychometric properties of the instruments. Thereafter, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to evaluate the latent variables relationships. Findings: Based on the findings, collaborative learning fully mediated the prediction of student-faculty interaction, teaching quality, and relatedness on reflective and integrative learning and higher-order thinking. Significance: These findings suggest that collaborative learning with social components and effective teaching maximize students' learning activities, and they should be fostered in academic institutions to improve students' academic success. Implications for improving teaching and learning are also discussed in this paper.

Hyo-Jeong Lee,1 Jakkid Sanetuntikul,2 Eun-Sook Choi,1 Bo Ram Lee,1 Jung-Hee Kim,1 Eunjoo Kim,1 Sangaraju Shanmugam2 1Nano and Bio Research Division, 2Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu, Republic of Korea Abstract: We describe here a simple synthetic strategy for the fabrication of carbon-coated Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@C) particles using a single-component precursor, iron (III) diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid complex. Physicochemical analyses revealed that the core of the synthesized particles consists of ferromagnetic Fe3O4 material ranging several hundred nanometers, embedded in nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon with a thickness of ~120 nm. Because of their photothermal activity (absorption of near-infrared [NIR] light), the Fe3O4@C particles have been investigated for photothermal therapeutic applications. An example of one such application would be the use of Fe3O4@C particles in human adenocarcinoma A549 cells by means of NIR-triggered cell death. In this system, the Fe3O4@C can rapidly generate heat, causing >98% cell death within 10 minutes under 808 nm NIR laser irradiation (2.3 W cm-2). These Fe3O4@C particles provided a superior photothermal therapeutic effect by intratumoral delivery and NIR irradiation of tumor xenografts. These results demonstrate that one-pot synthesis of carbon-coated magnetic particles could provide promising materials for future clinical applications and encourage further investigation of this simple method. Keywords: graphitic carbon–encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles, iron oxide, one-pot synthesis, photothermal cancer therapy

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the relationship and influence of mathematics teachers' perception and readiness on the practice of critical thinking skills (CTS) in implementing pedagogical processes in secondary schools. Methodology: Participants of the study consisted of 226 mathematics teachers who taught in three different secondary school categories, namely high performing schools (HPS), moderate performing schools (MPS) and low performing schools (LPS) throughout the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. The instrument used was adapted from Thurman (2009) to test the teachers' perception of CTS, while the teachers' readiness to apply CTS was adapted from Nagappan (2001) and Yusof and Ibrahim (2012). Besides, measurement of the teachers' practice of CTS was adapted from Aldegether (2009), Barak and Shakhman (2008), and Shim and Walczak (2012). Findings: Teachers' perception, readiness, and CTS practice in mathematics teaching were high in HPS but low in LPS. There was a strong positive relationship between teachers' perception of CTS practice and teachers' readiness to implement CTS practice in mathematics teaching. In addition, a total of 65 percent variance was contributed by both variables, namely teachers' perception and teachers' readiness for CTS practice in mathematics teaching, and this contribution was very high. Significance: The findings of the study also proved that the practice of CTS has improved the pedagogical quality of teachers, especially in meeting the needs of 21st century learning in the classroom. The emphasis on higher order thinking skills (HOTS) is a continuation of the excellence of teaching strategies through a variety of planned learning resources.

Chondroectodermal dysplasia is a rare mesenchymal - ectodermal dysplasia first described in 1940 by Richard W.B. Ellis and Simon van Creveld now known as Ellis van Creveld syndrome. It is also known as Mesvectodermal dysplasia. Majority of cases were characteristically seen in one particular inbred population from the Amish community of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. The syndrome manifests with several skeletal anomalies, oral mucosal and dental anomalies, congenital cardiac defects and nail dysplasia. Ellis van Creveld syndrome may be differentiated from other chondrodystrophies like achondroplasia, chondroplasia punctata, asphyxiating thorasic dystrophy and Morquio′s syndrome. The presence of oral mucosal and dental alterations like notching of the lower alveolar process, fusion of the upper lip with gingival mucosal margin, occasional presence of neonatal teeth, oligodontia and conical shape of anterior teeth will confirm the diagnosis of Ellis van Creveld syndrome and hence its importance to dentists.

Lichen planus is a common dermatologic disease to manifest in the oral cavity. Recurrent aphthous ulcers are the most common ulcers of the oral cavity causing discomfort to the patients. These two diseases have different clinical manifestations which require appropriate treatment after correct diagnosis. Though numerous etiological factors have been proposed for these diseases, their true etio-pathogenesis is not yet established and therefore all therapies are palliative and none is effective universally. In light of this, the role of nitric oxide as a mediator in the etio-pathogenesis of these diseases was considered. The present study was undertaken to note the salivary nitric oxide levels as measured through its product nitrite in oral mucosal diseases like lichen planus and recurrent aphthous ulcers and also to ascertain whether salivary nitric oxide level has a role to play as a pathophysiological mediator in these diseases

BACKGROUND: Smoking, drinking and chewing tobacco product, common habits in India have been positively associated with oral lesions. No study has been conducted in this part of Tamilnadu regarding the prevalence of oral lesions in relation to habits. METHODS: A hospital based cross-sectional study was carried out at Ragas Dental College, Chennai. Already existing data of two thousand and seventeen consecutive patients from sub-urban areas of Chennai, who attended the outpatient department, at Ragas Dental College, for dental complaints during a period of three months in 2004, who underwent oral examination and interviewer based questionnaire was used. RESULTS: Oral soft tissue lesions were found in 4.1% of the study subjects. The prevalence of leukoplakia, OSF and oral lichen planus was 0.59%, 0.55%, and 0.15% respectively. The prevalence of smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and chewing was 15.02%, 8.78% and 6.99% respectively. Smoking and chewing were significant predictors of leukoplakia in this population. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of leukoplakia, OSF and oral lichen planus in our study population is similar to those found in other populations. The prevalence of consumption of alcoholic beverages in our study population was higher when compared to the Indian National Sample Survey study. However the prevalence of smoking and chewing was found to be lower. Smokers were more likely to develop smoker′s melanosis compared to other lesions. Among those who consumed alcoholic beverages alone, the prevalence of leukoplakia was higher compared to other lesions. OSF was the most prevalent lesion among those who chewed panmasala or gutkha or betel quid with or without tobacco.

Purpose: The Malaysian government has allocated a large budget for "Orang Asli" primary school education via the Department of "Orang Asli" Development (JAKOA) to help improve the "Orang Asli" pupils' academic performance and in, Mathematics as well. Teachers face challenges in ensuring that "Orang Asli" pupils become competent learners of mathematics. Hence, there is a need to explore the teachers' perspectives on the teaching and learning of Mathematics in the "Orang Asli" schools. This study examined the teachers' perspectives on the issues and challenges of the teaching and learning of mathematics for the "Orang Asli" primary school pupils in Malaysia. Methodology: In this qualitative study, two "Orang Asli" primary schools were randomly selected from eight primary schools within an "Orang Asli" Settlement in the District of Sungai Siput. The data were collected via focus group discussions and interviews, which were carried out during the enculturation visits and were fully transcribed and thematically analysed. The research participants were purposively selected and comprised the school's administrators and mathematics teachers. Findings: The results of the data analysis show that there are two main themes, namely classroom challenges and school challenges, in determining mathematics competence among "Orang Asli" pupils. Classroom challenges consists of five sub-themes namely coverage of Mathematics syllabus, Mathematics teaching and learning resources, pupil engagement, language barrier, and Mathematics learning culture. School challenges consists of two sub-themes namely school attendance and discipline. To enhance mathematics competence among "Orang Asli" pupils, it is deemed important to implement programmes and community engagement. Significance: This study contributes towards the knowledge of teaching and learning of Mathematics for "Orang Asli" pupils. Teachers are recommended to allow "Orang Asli" pupils to take home their mathematics textbooks so that they can complete their homework at home. Teachers are highly recommended to conduct mathematics teaching and learning activities in groups for meaningful and engaging lessons.

Failure in addressing students' needs in the context of student learning experiences may lead to negative impact on the image of higher education. Framed in self-determination theory, this study examined students' relatedness on most satisfying experiences in their respective universities. Participants' (N=1974) responses to open-ended questions were inductively coded to understand relatedness principles of student learning experiences to emerge from the data. The findings revealed that students valued the role of lecturers in professional and personal contexts, peers for friendship and teamwork and academic and non-academic experiences resulted from projects and activities. Given this, to provide a positive learning environment for students, university management needs to address and support lecturers' well-being, pay attention to student relations on campus and support academic and non-academic activities. By understanding the roles of connecting students to lecturers, students to students and students to administrative staff, we could build a dynamic and functional campus environment for each party to live and care about each other.

Purpose: This study examined the quality of English test items using psychometric and linguistic characteristics among Grade Six pupils. Method: Contrary to the conventional approach of relying only on statistics when investigating item quality, this study adopted a mixed-method approach by employing psychometric analysis and cognitive interviews. The former was conducted on 30 Grade Six pupils, with each item representing a different construct commonly found in English test papers. Qualitative input was obtained through cognitive interviews with five Grade Six pupils and expert judgements from three teachers. Findings: None of the items were found to be too easy or difficult, and all items had positive discrimination indices. The item on idioms was most ideal in terms of difficulty and discrimination. Difficult items were found to be vocabulary-based. Surprisingly, the higher-order-thinking subjective items proved to be excellent in difficulty, although improvements could be made on their ability to discriminate. The qualitative expert judgements agreed with the quantitative psychometric analysis. Certain results from the item analysis, however, contradicted past findings that items with the ideal item difficulty value between 0.4 and 0.6 would have equally ideal item discrimination index. Significance: The findings of the study can serve as a reminder on the significance of using Classical Test Theory, a non-complex psychometric approach in assisting classroom teacher practitioners during the meticulous process of test design and ensuring test item quality.

The shift in contemporary workplaces has caused higher education institutions to place importance on developing non-academic attributes along with academic success to help students accomplish academic and occupational goals. Reflective and integrative learning as a cumulative process of students' experiences inside and outside the classroom during university years can facilitate the development of desired attributes among undergraduates. The current study, grounded in Biggs' ("Higher education research and development," 12(1), 73-85, 1993) 3P model approach, investigated the role of student-faculty interaction, assessment and feedback, and campus environment as presage factors, and reflective and integrative learning as the process factor and academic and soft skills gain as the product factors into a full mediation model. A total of 1892 final year Malaysian undergraduate students from 18 universities across Malaysia participated in the cross-sectional survey study. The hypothesized model was tested using structural equation modeling. The results revealed that reflective and integrative learning fully mediates the relationship between student-faculty interaction, assessment and feedback, campus environment, and academic and soft skills gains. The implications for teaching and learning and student development are discussed.

Purpose:In an attempt to explore item characteristics that behave differently between boys and girls, this comparative study examines gender Differential Item Functioning in a school culture that is noted to be 'thriving' mathematically. Methodology: Some 24 grade eight mathematics items from TIMSS 2003 and TIMSS 2007 released items, with equal number of computation and word problem items were administered on 460 boys and 445 girls studying in Grade Eight from three secondary Chinese-medium coeducational schools. Word problem items were defined as items set in a real-world context. Content validity was established by constructing a table of specifications. By employing the software WINSTEPS version 3.67.0 that is based on the Rasch Model for dichotomous responses, Differential Item Functioning analysis was conducted by using Mantel-Haenszel Chi-square method. DIF items were flagged when the Mantel-Haenszel probability value was less than 0.05 and classified as negligible, moderate or large DIF based on the DIF size suggested by Educational Testing Service DIF category. The focal and reference groups were girls and boys respectively. The main delimitation was substantive analysis by using expert judgment was not conducted to identify biased items. Findings: Using Mantel-Haenszel chi-square, two moderate DIF items that assess subtraction favoured girls. They assessed "Knowing" from topics "Whole Number" and "Fraction". Sources of DIF are linguistics density and item presentation style. The findings suggest that with only two moderate DIF mathematics items, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that the mathematics items functioned differently between boys and girls in school culture noted for successful mathematics learning, even though linguistics complexities of the test language cannot be ignored. Significance: While constructing Mathematics multiple choice items, careful considerations need to be given in selecting suitable numbers in composing the content of the item so that, only the correct algorithm would produce the correct answer 'if and only if' those numbers are used. The modest results of detecting two moderate DIF items nevertheless inform national testing agencies and teacher educators on the principles of building fair items as a part of their test improvement practice in the 21st Century. The novelty of this study is that gender Differential Item Functioning was studied in the context of school culture, which is notable for successful mathematics learning.

This is the first standard setting study in Malaysia aimed at developing Performance-Level Descriptors (PLDs) and determining cut scores that differentiate undergraduates with low, moderate and high employability skills using a newly developed Situational judgment Test (SJT). SJT items from five domains critical for future job employment: 1) critical thinking and problem solving, 2) enterprising, 3) integrity, 4) leadership and 5) teamwork were developed. Modified Angoff method involving PLDs and cut scores were developed by five subject-matter experts. Two test instruments were used: 10 practice and 36 original bilingual Malay-English SJT items. The PLDs and two cut scores to distinguish low, moderate and high employability skills were validly developed, without compromising consequential validity. The findings benefit undergraduates with low employability as they can be trained with current global job readiness skills by the universities, which also forms the practice implication of this study. Another practical implication is academicians can be further encouraged to understand the theoretical framework of establishing standard setting for employability.

The increasing demand for renewable energy sources necessitates the development of sophisticated control systems that can seamlessly integrate and manage multiple power sources. This research introduces an advanced intelligent adaptive neuro fuzzy-based control (IANFC) for multiport DC-AC converters with differential power processing (DPP) converters, tailored for customized hybrid renewable power generation systems (HRPGS). The system aims to optimize HRPGS performance and efficiency through neuro-fuzzy control techniques. When integrating different DC power sources, such solar panels and wind turbines, into AC loads or the grid, multiport DC-AC converters are essential. These converters reduce the amount of power conversion steps, which improves the system's overall efficiency and scalability. Complementary DPP converters process only the differential power, thereby significantly reducing total power consumption and conversion losses. The IANFC framework combines fuzzy logic reasoning, based on rules, with neural network adaptive learning capabilities. This hybrid control method effectively manages the nonlinear and dynamic behavior of HRPGS, ensuring reliable performance under varying load demands and environmental conditions. The controller dynamically adjusts the converter's operating point to ensure optimal power flow and system stability. Simulation findings using MATLAB/Simulink verify the efficacy of the suggested IANFC system. Under various operational situations, key performance measures like response time, stability, and system efficiency are examined. As evidenced by the data, system performance has significantly improved as compared to traditional control techniques. The proposed system demonstrates an efficiency of 99.45% and achieves stability in just 0.02 s. Compared to conventional algorithms, this approach shows superior performance across multiple metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) poses a significant public health concern, with limited, high-efficacy, treatment options. Our lab has demonstrated that minocycline, an antibiotic with neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties, is effective in reducing alcohol consumption in rodent models. We then synthesized antimicrobial-free minocycline derivatives to utilize their neuroprotective and immunomodulatory activities while mitigating antibiotic-related side effects. 10-Butyl Ether Minocycline (BEM) was chosen as a lead molecule based on efficacy and physicochemical properties from the library of compounds synthesized. Here, we report that BEM significantly reduced alcohol consumption in the Chronic Intermittent Ethanol (CIE) mouse model of alcohol dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the validity of trilingual test as a test accommodation to assess the Indigenous pupils' mathematical performance in Malaysia. The study employed two tests; BM-only test with items written in Malay language (BM) and trilingual test, which had items written in BM and English, and oral audio recording in their native Temiar Language. Each test had the same 30 computation and 20 word problem items, which measured the same mathematical content and skills. Using spiral administration, 33 Grade Five pupils sat for the BM-only test while 34 pupils sat for the trilingual test from two schools in one state. Rasch analysis was conducted using WINSTEP 3.72. The results indicated that both tests had comparable content and score. The trilingual test that used orally translated items in the Indigenous native language benefitted the Indigenous pupils in bilingual immersion programmes and was a valid measure of their mathematical ability.

Background: Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) is a microsporidian parasite that infects Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). EHP infection causes severe growth retardation and subsequent economic losses, thereby posing a major challenge in shrimp farming. Understanding the diversity of microbiota in EHP-infected shrimp hepatopancreas (HP) is essential, as the organ plays a crucial role in nutrient storage, absorption and growth. Methods: A metagenomic approach was employed, targeting the V3-V4 conserved region of the 16S rRNA gene to gain insights into the microbiome dynamics of P. vannamei HP in response to EHP infection. Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) were identified from the sample reads using sequence similarity based on the 16S bacterial reference database (Greengenes) and the OTUs were clustered together using UCLUST at a cut-off of 97% identity. Result: The analysis revealed a varied OTU abundance between healthy and EHP-infected HP samples. Higher levels of pathogenic Vibrionales, Pseudoalteromonadaceae, Vibrio and Photobacterium damselae were found in EHP-infected HP samples, linked to Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) and White Feces Syndrome (WFS) in shrimp, suggesting a possible pathobiome interaction in conjugation with EHP. Furthermore, specific taxa like Sphingomonadaceae, Chitinophagaceae, Cytophagaceae, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Xanthomonadaceae, Pseudomonas and Kaistobacter were more abundant in healthy P. vannamei HP, suggesting their potential as health biomarkers to assess the overall health status of the shrimp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the validity of using bilingual test to measure the mathematics achievement of students who have limited English proficiency (LEP). The bilingual test and the English-only test consist of 20 computation and 20 word problem multiple-choice questions (from TIMSS 2003 and 2007 released items. The bilingual test consists of items in Malay and English languages. The English teachers classified their students into LEP and non-LEP groups. Methodology: A total of 2,021 LEP and 2,747 non-LEP students from 34 schools were identified. Spiral administration was employed. A total of 2,399 students sat for the bilingual test and 2,369 for the English-only test. The scores were linked using RAGE-RGEQUATE version 3.22. Findings: Findings revealed that in the word problem testlet, the bilingual test was one unit easier for LEP students, probably indicating that the Malay language adaptation assisted them. For the non-LEP students, the bilingual version did not provide any added advantage to them as they did not show elevated achievement score. Significance: This study indicates bilingual test can be an appropriate test accommodation that validly measures both LEP and non-LEP students' mathematics achievement in countries where English is not the "native language but is used as the instructional language".