National University of Malaysia

About: National University of Malaysia is a education organization based out in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Heat transfer. The organization has 26593 authors who have published 41270 publications receiving 552683 citations. The organization is also known as: NUM & Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Marker assisted pyramiding of drought yield QTLs into a popular Malaysian rice cultivar, MR219

Abstract: Three drought yield QTLs, qDTY 2.2, qDTY 3.1, and qDTY 12.1 with consistent effect on grain yield under reproductive stage drought stress were pyramided through marker assisted breeding with the objective of improving the grain yield of the elite Malaysian rice cultivar MR219 under reproductive stage drought stress. Foreground selection using QTL specific markers, recombinant selection using flanking markers, and background selection were performed. BC1F3-derived lines with different combinations of qDTY 2.2 , qDTY 3.1, and qDTY 12.1 were evaluated under both reproductive stage drought stress and non-stress during the dry seasons of 2013 and 2014 at IRRI. The grain yield reductions in the stress trials compared to non-stress trials ranged from 79 to 93 %. In the stress trials, delay in days to flowering and reduction in plant height were observed. In both seasons, MR219 did not produce any yield under stress, however it produced a yield of 5917 kg ha−1 during the 2013 dry season and 8319 kg ha−1 during the 2014 dry season under non-stress. Selected introgressed lines gave a yield advantage of 903 to 2500 kg ha−1 over MR219 under reproductive stage drought stress and a yield of more than 6900 kg ha−1 under non-stress during the 2014 dry season. Among lines with single qDTY, lines carrying qDTY 2.2 provided a higher yield advantage under reproductive stage drought stress in the MR219 background. Two-qDTY combinations (qDTY 3.1+ qDTY 2.2 and qDTY 3.1+ qDTY 12.1 ) performed better than lines with three qDTY combinations, indicating the absence of positive interactions between the three qDTYs. We successfully developed drought-tolerant MR219 pyramided lines with a yield advantage of more than 1500 kg ha−1. Differential yield advantages of different combinations of the qDTYs indicate a differential synergistic relationship among qDTYs. This is the first report on the successful effect of qDTYs in increasing the yield under drought in genetic backgrounds other than those in which the qDTYs were earlier identified.

Hybrid Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Models for Water Quality Index Estimation

Abstract: Soft computing models are known as an efficient tool for modelling temporal and spatial variation of surface water quality variables and particularly in rivers. These model’s performance relies on how effective their simulation processes are accomplished. Fuzzy logic approach is one of the authoritative intelligent model in solving complex problems that deal with uncertainty and vagueness data. River water quality nature is involved with high stochasticity and redundancy due to the its correlation with several hydrological and environmental aspects. Yet, the fuzzy logic theory can give robust solution for modelling river water quality problem. In addition, this approach likewise can be coordinated with an expert system framework for giving reliable and trustful information for decision makers in enhancing river system sustainability and factual strategies. In this research, different hybrid intelligence models based on adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) integrated with fuzzy c-means data clustering (FCM), grid partition (GP) and subtractive clustering (SC) models are used in modelling river water quality index (WQI). Monthly measurement records belong to Selangor River located in Malaysia were selected to build the predictive models. The modelling process was included several water quality terms counting physical, chemical and biological variables whereas WQI was the target variable. At the first stage of the research, statistical analysis for each water quality parameter was analyzed toward the WQI. Whereas in the second stage, the predictive models were established. The finding of the current research provides an authorized soft computing model to determine WQI that can be used instead of the conventional procedure that consumes time, cost, efforts and sometimes computation errors.

Advances in bio-tactile sensors for minimally invasive surgery using the fibre Bragg grating force sensor technique: a survey.

Abstract: The large interest in utilising fibre Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) applications to replace conventional electrical tactile sensors has grown in the past few years. FBG strain sensors offer the advantages of optical fibre sensors, such as high sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic noise, electrical passivity and chemical inertness, but are not limited by phase discontinuity or intensity fluctuations. FBG sensors feature a wavelength-encoding sensing signal that enables distributed sensing that utilises fewer connections. In addition, their flexibility and lightness allow easy insertion into needles and catheters, thus enabling localised measurements inside tissues and blood. Two types of FBG tactile sensors have been emphasised in the literature: single-point and array FBG tactile sensors. This paper describes the current design, development and research of the optical fibre tactile techniques that are based on FBGs to enhance the performance of MIS procedures in general. Providing MIS or microsurgery surgeons with accurate and precise measurements and control of the contact forces during tissues manipulation will benefit both surgeons and patients.

Genetic diversity of Ostreopsis ovata (Dinophyceae) from Malaysia.

Abstract: The genus Ostreopsis is an important component of benthic and epiphytic dinoflagellate assemblages in coral reefs and seaweed beds of Malaysia. Members of the species may produce toxins that contribute to ciguatera fish poisoning. In this study, two species have been isolated and cultured, Ostreopsis ovata and Ostreopsis lenticularis. Analyses of the 5.8S subunit and internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2 of the ribosomal RNA gene sequences of these two species showed that they are separate species, consistent with morphological designations. The nucleotide sequences of the 5.8S subunit and ITS1 and ITS2 regions of the rRNA gene were also used to evaluate the interpopulation and intrapopulation genetic diversity of O. ovata found in Malaysian waters. Results showed a low level of sequence divergence within populations. At the interpopulation level, the rRNA gene sequence distinguished two groups of genetically distinct strains, representative of a Malacca Straits group (isolates from Port Dickson) and a South China Sea group (isolates from Pulau Redang and Kota Kinabalu). Part of the sequences in the ITS regions may be useful in the design of oligonucleotide probes specific for each group. Results from this study show that the ITS regions can be used as genetic markers for taxonomic, biogeographic, and fine-scale population studies of this species.