This paper discusses one part of the findings of a study that was aimed at exploring Malaysian primary school boys' and girls' literacy achievement. In this part of the study, the perceptions of the Bahasa Malaysia teachers were sought as to whether the boys and girls had different attitudes toward reading. Data in this qualitative study were gathered from focus group interviews with Bahasa Malaysia teachers, as well as from the teachers' reflections or journal entries that documented their personal perceptions, ways of dealing with students, and their suggestions on teaching boys and girls. The findings suggest that the teachers were generally aware of the difference in the attitudes of boys and girls toward reading, but do not employ specific teaching strategies to address the issue.

This paper discusses the types of knowledge, skills, and abilities that young generations of Malaysians should possess throughout their years of schooling and whether the current curriculum is adequate in enabling the students to face the challenges of the 21st century. Grounded in the Malaysian Educational Philosophy, Malaysian Educational Act, and its national Vision 2020, and taking into consideration the needs of the students and the nation in meeting these challenges, this paper proposes a curriculum for young Malaysians based on three key questions proposed by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority; a curriculum that promotes learning from multi-disciplinary studies and that encourages physical, emotional, spiritual, personal, and social competencies. In designing this curriculum, the authors stress on the importance of catering to the needs, interests, and aspirations of our multi-racial society and the importance of incorporating spiritual and moral values that would help young Malaysians to face these challenges. This paper concludes by proposing a framework adapted from the QCA that could be used as a starting point for the discussions on the 21st century curriculum.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to decide on the relation between types of mixing and the porosity of diameter (1-100) mu m and compressive strength of RMGIC. Methods: Fifteen specimens 6mm height and 4mm in diameter were prepared for each type of luting cement and were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. The compressive strength was determined. The fractured surfaces of 10 randomly selected specimens of each cement type were analyzed using SEM at 250 times magnification, and five photomicrographs were taken at five random places. All the photomicrographs were analyzed using image analyzer software to determine the amount and size of porosity present. Results: There was no significant difference in compressive strength between different mixing methods, but it had a significant impact by increasing the percentage of porosity of diameter (1-100) mu m in diameter of RMGIC. There was no linear relationship between compressive strength and porosity (1-100) mu m in diameter for both types of luting cements (P>0.05). Conclusion: No significant differences in compressive strength were found using different mixing methods. The size and number of porosity in the specimens of encapsulated cements were greater than those of hand-mixed cements. The porosity (1-100) mu m in diameter and the compressive strength bore no linear relationship to each other.

Introduction: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of thermocycling on the compressive strength of selected luting cements. Material and methods: 5 types of luting cements were tested. A total of thirty cylindrical specimens measuring 6mm in height and 4mm in diameter were prepared for each type of cement which were then divided into two groups ie Group 1: Exposure, and Group 2: Control. Both groups were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. Group 1 was subjected to 500 cycles in a thermocycling baths of 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C with 20 seconds in each bath. Group 2 was not exposed to thermocycling procedure. The compressive strength for each cement type was determined by using a universal testing machine. Results: Resin adhesive cement had the highest compressive strength; followed by conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) whilst resin modified GIC was the least. Thermocycling had no significant effect on the compressive strength of RelyX TM ARC and Fuji I (p>0.05), but a significant effect on Fuji I CAPSULE, Fuji CEM, Fuji Plus CAPSLUE (p<0.05) was observed. Conclusion: The effect of thermocycling on the compressive strength of luting cements differed considerably with respect to their chemical compositions.

The purpose of this study was to examine the alignment between the Malaysian ESL reading curriculum at the Form Four level and its execution at the textbook development level as well as at the instructional implementation level. The findings of the study indicate that there are misalignments between what is proposed in the Form Four English Language Curriculum Specifications and what is proposed in the textbook and executed at the instructional level. The findings of this study have implications on ESL teacher training as well textbook development. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The present study was carried out to characterise and compare types of phytoconstituents present in crude and aqueous extract of Quercus infectoria (QI) using FTIR, LC-MS followed by confirming using MS/MS analysis. QI gall was purchased from local market and grinded to obtain the crude in powdered form. The aqueous extract produced by refluxing in water bath at 50°C for 24 hours was filtered and concentrated using rotary evaporator followed by freeze-drying. The crude and aqueous extract was scanned at wavelength 400 to 3400 nm using Tensor-II-FTIR spectrometer. LC-MS analysis utilised Agilent-1290-Infinity-system coupled to Agilent-6520-Accurate-Mass-Q-TOF mass-spectrometer with dual ESI. Detected constituents matched with METLIN_AM_PCDL-N-130328.cdb database. Compounds with >95 DB score were selected to be confirmed with MS/MS analysis. The FTIR spectrum confirmed presence of several similar functional groups in both crude and aqueous extract. LC-MS screening results indicated similar phytoconstituents present in both crude and aqueous QI (2.64% and 2.16%) respectively. MS/MS analysis confirmed presence of all targeted constituents in aqueous QI extract. In conclusion, LC-MS and MS/MS results show that all major constituents analysed were from polyphenolic derivatives primarily gallic acid and hydrolysable tannins.

Research has increasingly investigated the role of attitudes toward reading and language learning, and how it might be different in boys and girls. This paper reports on an investigation of Malaysian elementary school students' attitudes toward reading in the English language as perceived by their teachers. In-depth information of teachers' personal practices in teaching reading to the students, their ways of dealing with them, and their suggestions on the teaching of boys and girls were obtained through focus group interviews as well as journal entries. As manifested in the results of the interviews, the teachers felt that among the students that they taught, the boys and girls had different attitudes toward reading and that the girls generally did better than boys in the English class. However, the teachers also felt that boys from good classes seemed to have more positive attitudes toward reading in English.

Arabic for specific purpose (ASP) courses have been introduced by Faculty of Major Languages Studies are offering to the Arabic Language and Communication both undergraduate and postgraduate students in Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM) since 2005. It is compulsory subjects under the above program. To in line with the University Mission "USIM 16" that USIM will be the regional reference centre for integration Naqli dan Aqli in the world. The Faculty of Major Languages Studies takes part to empower the courses of integrating Naqli dan Aqli in all subjects offered by the faculty. ASP has been integrated Naqli dan Aqli in teaching and learning through resources have been using by lecturers in the faculty to find out how lecturers integrate Naqli dan Aqli in their daily teaching, the researcher has distributed the questionnaire to all 5 lecturers who are involved in teaching this subject to obtain the implementation data. This qualitative research will investigate integration Naqli dan Aqli in ASP to find out the existence models have been using by those lectures in their teaching. The findings conclude that no specific model is referred to or used in teaching of ASP. However, all lecturers have implemented Naqli dan Aqli in their teaching using their own method.