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Climate change issues have sparked intense debate around the world in recent years. Malaysia faces critical issues with global warming, which has changed the local climate, threatening critical ecosystems, including mangrove forests, and creating challenges in their habitat. This study was conducted to investigate the morphological and physiological attributes of the mangrove Rhizophora apiculata in response to air temperature for the selection of tree species that can adapt to climate change. The seedlings were grown in controlled growth chambers with temperatures, of 21,28, and 38 °C, under elevated CO2 at 650 ppm for three months. The plants were watered with three liters of 28-ppt saline water every 48 h. Thus, after two weeks, the mangrove plant samples recorded positive results for all parameters of high temperature. The differences in temperature resulted in significant differences and positive responses between elevated CO2 and decreased temperature, which led to the samples surviving for all parameters and the growth being very slow. However, when the temperature is raised, the result is negative, and almost all of the samples perish. These results suggested that the low level of photosynthetic capacity might be attributed to the decreased CO2 fixative reaction system and photosynthetic pigment contents. Additional physical and climatic factors have an impact on what determines the increase or decrease in R. apiculata growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study related to species composition and diversity of sapling was conducted in the coastal hill forests at Pulau Pangkor, Perak. Six study plots of 20m x 20m (0.04 ha) each were established in Pangkor Utara Forest Reserve (two plots) and Pangkor Selatan Forest Reserve (four plots), making a total area of 0.24 ha. The composition of sapling species was represented by 460 individuals consisting of 52 species, 46 genera and 30 families. Dipterocarpaceae and Rubiaceae recorded the highest number of species with seven species each. At genus level, Diospyros recorded the highest number of species with three species. Sapling density of the study area was 1917 individuals/ha, where Dipterocarpaceae has the highest density with 588 individuals/ha while at species level, Hopea beccariana recorded 483 individuals/ha. Dipterocarpaceae was the most important family with Importance Value Index (IVi) of 21.11%, while the most important species was Hopea beccariana (IVi = 16.98%). Shannon Diversity Index, Evenness Index, and Margalef Richness Index were 2.99, 0.76, and 8.32, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the tropical rainforest of Peninsular Malaysia, the forest floor is the common vegetation in the lowest strata. However, information on the floristic composition and diversity of this vegetation is still scarce. We focused our study on species composition and diversity of forest floor vegetation in an upper hill dipterocarp forest at Tranum Forest Reserve, Pahang. We used ten quadrats totaling 0.004 ha, each of 2 m x 2 m (0.0004 ha), that was established at the elevation of 400 m and 600 m a.s.l. We found the composition of forest floor species was represented by 240 individuals consisting of 95 species, 79 genera, and 44 families. Rubiaceae was recorded as having the highest total number of genera and species. Four genera viz. Elaeocarpus, Garcinia, Syzygium, and Zingiber recorded the highest total number of species with three species each. Total density in the studied quadrats was 60,000 individuals/ha in which Anacardiaceae has the highest density of 8,250 individuals/ha while Pentaspadon motleyi represent the species level with 8,000 individuals/ha. Saplings of dipterocarps were very low with only a single stand (250 ind/ha) of Shorea platyclados and this species is locally common. Burseraceae is also the most important family with an Importance Value Index (IVi) of 8.52% and the most important species was Pentaspadon motleyi (Anacardiaceae) with a species Importance Value Index (IVi) of 7.44%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulau Aur is located in the South China Sea ca. 74 km east of Mersing, Johor. The terrain of Pulau Aur, which covers an area of ca. 19 km2, is almost entirely composed of granite rocks and several short beaches providing a unique diversity of flora on the island. A study of flora that focuses on the species of seed plants mainly trees has identified as many as 135 species belonging to 104 genera and 47 families in the primary, regenerated, secondary forests and sandy coastal vegetation. It is hoped that the information from the specimens collected and recorded can be used as a reference and help other researchers as well as stakeholders in ecotourism management and forest conservation plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on the composition of forest floor vegetation in a small forest gap in Bangi Forest Reserve was conducted. The inventory was carried out in the forest gap formed due to the lightning strike which had caused some big trees died directly. The assessment was made about one year after the forest gap was formed in May 2012. In a survey of 0.018 ha plot, a total of 1222 individuals of vascular plants were recorded which include climbers, ferns, herbs, palms, and seedlings. The compositions of forest floor vegetation were represented by 141 species from 108 genus and 54 families. Pioneer species and late seral recorded the highest density. Two species of Macaranga, viz. M. conifera and M. gigantea were among the densest species with 4778 ind/ha and 4111 ind/ha. This study contributed the data of the forest floor in the forest gap in the lowland dipterocarp forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preliminary checklist of flowering plants in Ma'okil Forest Reserve, Johor is reported. A total of 352 species in 201 genera and 73 families was recorded. Euphorbiaceae which is represented by 40 species is the most speciose family and Syzygium (Myrtaceae) is the largest genus with 19 species. A total of 36 taxa found here are endemic to Peninsular Malaysia. One of the interesting findings in this study is the presence of Alphonsea johorensis (Annonaceae) which is uncommon, and only previously recorded from south-east Johor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A descriptive study was conducted to determine species composition, community structure, and biomass of trees was carried in a riparian forest at Hulu Sungai Sedili Besar, Johor. Four plots of 25 m x 20 m were established at the study site which covered a total area of 0.2 ha. All trees with diameter at breast height ≥ 5 cm were measured, tagged, identified and recorded. A total of 34 families, 79 genera and 124 species from 399 individuals was enumerated. Euphorbiaceae was the most speciose family represented by 17 species, while Syzygium was the biggest genus with seven species. The tree stand structure showed that 80% of the trees were in 5.0 cm-14.9 cm diameter class. The total basal area was 29.70 m²/ha in which Euphorbiaceae contributed the highest basal area with 8.13 m²/ha, whilst Elateriospermum tapos showed the highest basal area with 3.83 m²/ha. In terms of density, Euphorbiaceae also recorded the highest of 475 ind/ha, whilst species of Cleistanthus myrianthus (Euphorbiaceae) and Tristaniopsis whiteana (Myrtaceae) indicate the highest density of 160 ind/ha each. The value of Shannon Diversity Index in this study was 4.19 (Hmax = 4.82). Euphorbiaceae was the most important family recorded in this study area with Family Important Value Index of 18.89%, whilst Elateriospermum tapos was the most important species with Important Value Index of 5.76%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the taxonomic value of petiole anatomy of 63 species belonging to Litsea, Neolitsea and Lindera. The middle part of the petiole was sectioned and observed under a light microscope. The findings revealed valuable anatomical characteristics in outline shape, vascular bundles arrangement type, trichome types, presence of cuticle, crystals, brachysclereid, sclerenchyma and idioblast cells. Three shapes of petiole outline and six types of petiole vascular bundles arrangement were observed. Based on the results, Lindera and Litsea are more related due to the type of vascular bundles arrangement. Sclerenchyma and brachysclereid were also useful in differentiating genera in Litsea complex. This study has proven that anatomical characteristics have a taxonomic value which could be used as a diagnostic tool in identifying the genera and species in Malaysian Litsea complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social entrepreneurship is one of the mechanisms to tackle social or community's economic issues and to achieve sustainable development of a country. In Southeast Asia, business entities are mostly private and there are few social and economic enterprises. Therefore, United Kingdom had enacted special laws to govern and to promote the development of social enterprises. These were introduced to address lack of laws to form - charitable social enterprises. In contrast with commercial legal framework, these laws were designed to facilitate social enterprises to prioritise social goals rather than private shareholders interest. The objective of this paper is to explore the possibility of introducing a new legal framework for social entrepreneurs in Malaysia. This legal framework could be used to carry out business activities and gain profit with a clear purpose that profits of the business shall be used for public interest. This paper analyses statutory laws and other legal doctrines to see how this law could be applied in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A botanical inventory was conducted in the primary upper hill dipterocarp and hill dipterocarp forest at Tranum Forest Reserve, Pahang. A total of 466 species from 269 genera and 102 families was recorded. Angiosperms represented by 101 families while gymnosperm by a single family, Gnetaceae. Dicotyledons represented by 85 families while monocotyledons represented by 16 families. Rubiaceae was the most speciose family with 37 species (7.94 %) followed by Annonaceae and Lauraceae, each with 27 species (5.79 %). The largest genus was Syzygium with 14 species (3.00 %) followed by Diospyros with 10 species (2.15 %). A total 32 taxa were endemic to Peninsular Malaysia whilst another 23 taxa were categorized as new records for Pahang state. A total of 235 taxa was also listed as the new additional list for Fraser's Hill flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A study on the phenology of Gonystylus bancanus (ramin melawis) was conducted in Pekan Forest Reserve, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia, which covers areas of virgin and logged-over forests. Observations revealed that the flowering of G. bancanus was supra-annual. The smallest G. bancanus tree to flower was 29 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh) and was located in a logged-over site. Most trees that flowered had larger dbh of more than 40 cm and were found in logged-over and virgin forests. A total of 71-86 days was recorded for full development from the budding stage to mature fruit formation. The budding phase was quite long, extending for more than a month. However, it took only about two weeks for the flowers to become fruits. The flowers of G. bancanuswere pollinated by thrips (Heterothripts sp.) and stingless bees (Trigona canifrons and T. laeviceps), while aphids (Aphis sp.), Prevost's squirrels (Callosciurus prevostii) and plantain squirrels (C. notatus) were identified as predators of G. bancanus flowers and fruits. Gonystylus bancanus seeds were mainly dispersed by gravity but the Malayan flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) was also observed to disperse the fruits. Other fruit bats, namely, Cynopterus sphinx, Megaerops ecaudatus and Penthetor lucasi were also identified as potential seed dispersal agents of G. bancanus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research attempts to identify and analyze the extent of Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) and other associated process model or frameworks in Malaysian organizations. There is a number of studies have been conducted on software process improvement by using above models and methodologies in other continents such as Europe, Australia, New Zealand and North America. However, there is still lack of published studies on software process improvement or software best practices in Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia itself. Surveys in Malaysian software organizations which have an experience in initiating and conducting software process improvement initiative have been done. The surveys were conducted by using paper survey and also online survey. Two different type of survey was conducted because of the different risk or constraint of cost, time, and distance can be overcome. There were 20 respondents involved in this research. Most of the respondents were professionals who are directly involved in SPI initiative. In the data analysis, the respondents are characterized according to the attribution of weight to their answers. We found that the IT Malaysian organizations are employing CMMI, Prince 2, PMBOK and also Six Sigma. This study shows that Malaysian organizations have already take an initiative to adopt software process improvement models in their organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies among hemodialysis (HD) patients have looked into relationships between illness perception (IP), depression, and adherence yet rarely looked further into medication factors. Those studies were also conducted at urban HD centers leaving out those from a smaller town. Our objective is to determine phosphate binders (PBs) influences on IP and depression among HD population in smaller town. One hundred and thirteen patients from three Central Pahang Cluster Hospitals, Malaysia on HD were interviewed using Malay version of the Brief IP Questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). This study found a significant positive correlation between PBs daily dose frequency with consequence, timeline, and illness concern. Type of PBs used influenced personal control significantly. History of PBs side effects resulted in significantly lower treatment control and lower emotional representation. There was a significant negative relationship between dialysis vintage with both identity and IP score. Depressed patients had significantly higher emotional representation compared to healthy controls. Meanwhile, there was a positive correlation between BDI-II score with coherence, consequence, and emotional representation. Around 23.9% of the patients reported symptoms of depression. Depressed patients had significantly shorter dialysis vintage compared to healthy controls. They tended to report a significant history of hospital admission in the past six months that peaked among those on HD between four to six years. The current study showed the effect of PBs therapy on IP while depression was associated with HD duration and hospital admission. This information can be used to formulate a better treatment approach by health-care practitioners toward better patients treatment hence outcomes., Competing Interests: None declared

Introduction: Beta-thalassaemia major is an autosomal recessive disorder that results in severe microcytic, hypochromic, haemolytic anaemia among affected patients. Beta-thalassaemia has emerged as one of the most common public health problems in Malaysia, particularly among Malaysian Chinese and Malays. This study aimed to observe the spectrum of mutations found in Kelantan Malay beta-thalassaemia major patients who attended the Paediatrics Daycare Unit, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, the data of which was being used in establishing the prenatal diagnosis in this Human Genome Centre., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 35 Kelantan Malay beta-thalassaemia major patients. DNA was extracted from the blood collected from the patients and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Six restriction enzymes were used to digest the PCR products for the detection of mutations., Results: Five out of the six beta-globin gene defects were detected, namely, IVS-1 nt5 (G>C), IVS-1 nt1 (G>T), codon 26 (G>A), codon 41-42 (4 bp del) and codon 19 (A>G). The mutation which was not observed in this study was in codon 15 (G>A). The two most common mutations observed were codon 26 (G>A) and IVS-1 nt5 (G>C), which was detected in 26 and 17 patients, respectively. Two patients did not show any of the six mutations., Conclusion: Our results added to the existing data on the common beta-globin gene defects in Kelantan Malay beta-thalassaemia patients.