Introduction. The first step in the forensic identification is sex determination followed by age and stature estimation, as both are sex-dependent. The mandible is the largest, strongest and most durable bone in the face. Mandible is important for sex confirmation in absence of a complete pelvis and skull. Aim. The aim of the present study was to determine sex of human mandible from morphology, morphometric measurements as well as discriminant function analysis from the CT scan. Materials and methods. The present retrospective study comprised 79 subjects (48 males, 31 females), with age group between 18 and 74 years, and were obtained from the post mortem computed tomography data in the Hospital Kuala Lumpur. The parameters were divided into three morphologic and nine morphometric parameters, which were measured by using Osirix MD Software 3D Volume Rendering. Results. The Chi-square test showed that men were significantly association with square-shaped chin (92%), prominent muscle marking (85%) and everted gonial glare, whereas women had pointed chin (84%), less prominent muscle marking (90%) and inverted gonial glare (80%). All parameter measurements showed significantly greater values in males than in females by independent t-test (p< 0.01). By discriminant analysis, the classification accuracy was 78.5%, the sensitivity was 79.2% and the specificity was 77.4%. The discriminant function equation was formulated based on bigonial breath and condylar height, which were the best predictors. Conclusion. In conclusion, the mandible could be distinguished according to the sex. The results of the study can be used for identification of damaged and/or unknown mandible in the Malaysian population.

Over the past decades, much of the discussion regarding grammar teaching has evolved around the identification of the best language teaching approach to facilitate effective learning of English language among second language (L2) learners. Despite the various approaches introduced and implemented in the realm of L2 teaching, the language performances of these learners are still 'off-target' as they are still found not able to use the correct language expressions to serve their communicative needs. Investigation of the use of concepts in the learning and teaching of grammar may provide an alternative solution in enhancing learners' L2 grammar competence. Known as Concept Based Instruction (CBI) this pedagogical approach that is predicated on Vygotskian thought, centres on promoting the quality of the grammar rules in helping learners to understand and use the grammar concepts to achieve their communicative needs. This article focuses on the principles found in CBI with the aim of exploring CBI's potential and hence facilitate in-depth understanding of not only the structural forms but also the semantic meaning of the target language among L2 learners.

Introduction: Eurycoma longifolia (E. longifolia) which is better known locally as Tongkat Ali is an indigenous plant in Malaysia. It belongs to the family of Simaroubaceae and is popular as a traditional medicine for its aphrodisiac properties. Throughout the years, several studies have been conducted to prove its effect on aphrodisiac action, antimalarial, antibacterial and anxiolytic properties but its effect to the cardiovascular system had not been fully explored. This study was aimed to demonstrate the changes that take place in the isolated heart following the injection of the extract. Methods: Three parameters that were measured included the coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and the heart rate (HR). Eighteen isolated rat hearts were used and were divided equally into three groups. The first group was to observe the effect of Isoprenaline, a beta agonist while the second group was to see the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide (NO) donor. The dose which gave the maximum effect for these two positive controls was used to compare with the effect of E. longifolia water extract in the third group of rats. Isolated heart was mounted using the Langendorff apparatus and perfused with modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer. Doses of controls and the extract were instilled through an injection port, and the effect of each dose was monitored. Results: E. longifolia extract was found to reduce the CPP in normotensive rat at two of the highest doses. A dose of 1.0 mg of the extract reduced the CPP significantly from 34.52 +/- 4.99 mmHg of the baseline value to 31.99 +/- 4.93 mmHg while the dose of 10.0 mg of the extract reduced the CPP significantly to 32.67 +/- 3.89 mmHg. However, there were no significant changes of effect of the extract on the LVDP and HR as compared to control. Conclusion: These early findings suggest that E. longifolia extract may have vasodilatory property, which supports its traditional usage with minimum cardiovascular side effects.

Gastroenteritis, especially those caused by bacterial pathogens, remains as one of the major health issues in developing countries. Despite the availability of treatment, people are turning their interest in consuming certain food for its therapeutic value given the adverse effects of medications. This includes the consumption of date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.). This study aims to determine the antibacterial effect of two methods of extraction, i.e., hot aqueous extract and methanol extract of Ajwa date fruit against selected gramnegative bacteria causing gastroenteritis. The antimicrobial activities were determined quantitatively using well diffusion assay together with the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC). Results showed that both hot aqueous and methanol extracts have the potential to suppress the growth of all tested bacteria. The methanol extract had higher inhibitory zones compared to hot aqueous extract, and the zones of inhibition were noted to increase with increase in the extract concentration. S. flexneri was the most sensitive bacteria to both types of extract. The methanol extract was also more effective in suppressing the bacterial growth and has a higher potential in killing the bacteria compared to hot aqueous extract. These results suggest that Ajwa date extract has a bacteriostatic property at lower concentration and bactericidal property at higher concentration. In conclusion, Ajwa date fruit extract has the antibacterial potential against selected bacterial causing gastroenteritis. Further study on the phytochemical properties that contribute to this effect is currently in progress.

Introduction. Stature is one of the characteristics that could be used to identify human, besides age, sex and racial affiliation. This is useful when the body found is either dismembered, mutilated or even decomposed, and helps in narrowing down the missing person's identity. Aim. The main aim of the present study was to construct regression functions for stature estimation by using lower limb bones in the Malaysian population. Materials and Methods. The sample comprised 87 adult individuals (81 males, 6 females) aged between 20 to 79 years. The parameters such as thigh length, lower leg length, leg length, foot length, foot height and foot breadth were measured. They were measured by a ruler and measuring tape. Statistical analysis involved independent t-test to analyse the difference between lower limbs in male and female. The Pearson's correlation test was used to analyse correlations between lower limb parameters and stature, and the linear regressions were used to form equations. The paired t-test was used to compare between actual stature and estimated stature by using the equations formed. Result. Using independent t-test, there was a significant difference (p< 0.05) in the measurement between males and females with regard to leg length, thigh length, lower leg length, foot length and foot breadth. The thigh length, leg length and foot length were observed to have strong correlations with stature with p= 0.75, p= 0.81 and p= 0.69, respectively. Linear regressions were formulated for stature estimation. Paired t-test showed no significant difference between actual stature and estimated stature. Conclusion. It is concluded that regression functions can be used to estimate stature to identify skeletal remains in the Malaysia population.

The focus of the recent English Language Education Reform in Malaysia: A Roadmap 2015-2025, is aligning the English language courses in Malaysia to the Common European Framework of References (CEFR). Thus, in relation to this the current study analyzed the English language curriculum in a public university in terms of its alignment to CEFR. The focus of the current paper was specifically on the teachers' insights on their students' English as a Second Language (ESL) reading comprehension performance. The participants of the study were 25 English language teachers in the public university. The study used both quantitative and qualitative tools in obtaining data, namely online survey and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive analysis; meanwhile qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Data shows that teachers have mixed views on their students' ESL reading comprehension performance. The findings suggest that the alignment between the English language courses offered in the university to CEFR is crucial to ensure the success of the Roadmap Plan set by the government.

The English Language Education in Malaysia: An Agenda for Reform 2015-2025' is a blueprint initiated by The Ministry of Education (MOE), Malaysia, currently launched in 2016. The key pledge to this blueprint is the alignment of Malaysia's English Language Education System with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). CEFR is a benchmark for an international standard that focuses on developing learners who are able to communicate and interact in any language, in this instance, English. The focal point of the Malaysian education reform is to adopt the CEFR levels as the guiding beacon or regulating framework for curriculum development, issues regarding learning materials and the measurement of learning outcomes. In keeping with this reform, the study aims to understand English language teachers' views on the English language proficiency courses in a local university, in Malaysia, based on CEFR scales. The study employs a quantitative approach, where surveys were distributed to twenty-five English language teachers. The data is then analysed quantitatively by frequency counts and percentage. Data shows there are variations in teachers' views towards English language proficiency courses, and this may not necessarily fit into the CEFR standards targeted for university learners. The result of this study acts as preliminary data for further research on the link between English language course content and CEFR standards, as well as expected English language proficiency of university learners. Through this study, it is hoped that future design of teaching and learning materials that contribute to 'proficient' learners at the end of university years, can be developed.

e-PRASMO is an online teaching supervision tool used for a teaching practicum subject (EAZ4214). It has been used for 3 different cohorts of teacher-students who have done their teaching practicum for eight weeks respectively. After undergoing two cycles of its usage, e-PRASMO was then enhanced to be in line with the current state of education which emphasises on the 21st century learning skills and the shifts in the national blueprints. In order to situate e-PRASMO in the theoretical body of knowledge, The 3P's Model for teaching and learning by Biggs espouses its embellishment. The 3Ps are Presage, Process and Product phases. Presage covers the characteristics of the learners; the Process is the online teaching practicum (e-PRASMO) that the students undergo while the Product refers to the learning experienced by the students. The learners are digital immigrants but they need to be relevant teachers for their digital native students from generation Z or even generation Alpha. The third cohort (30 students) utilised the technologically-enhanced e-PRASMO in the Process phase where all the notes and submission of work are done digitally. Then, in the Product phase, the learners found they have improved in terms of technological knowledge and skill. This study delves into the technological enhancement perceived by the 30 students. They answered the google form which contains items using likert scale and open-ended questions relating to 3 aspects (usability, flexibility and acceptance) of using e-PRASMO. The data were then tabulated, analysed and presented in percentage: the highest elements for usability, flexibility, and acceptance are the links (90.3%), access to information (100%), and increase in knowledge and skills (93.5%) respectively. On the whole, they reported very positively in their advancement of the technology introduced via e-PRASMO.

Purpose - This study investigated the use of metalanguage as a mediational tool in understanding targeted grammatical concepts from the perspective of the Sociocultural approach(SCT) in learning a second language(L2). Methodology - The participants involved in this study were Malay undergraduates with low to intermediate proficiency in L2 English. The protocols of learners' verbalisation during a Concept-Based Instruction(CBI) language task were analysed to explore how learners used metalanguage to mediate, facilitate and regulate their L2 learning. A microgenetic analysis was conducted to examine how metalanguage was used as a mediating tool by the learners in the actual L2 learning process. It involved an investigation of the language learning instances that occurred in their natural context. Analysis of the protocols was performed using 'Languaging Units' that were based on the 'Languaging Types Framework' proposed by Swain et al.(2009). Additionally, descriptive statistics were employed to measure the frequency of the languaging units produced by learners in facilitating their L2 development. Findings - Results revealed that through the Languaging Units identified, learners used the linguistic tool as a problem-solving tool to explore form-meaning relationships of the target concepts learnt. Findings corroborated the significant role of language, viewed from Vygotskian thought, in relation to mediating learners' cognitive processes. The function of language in this context was twofold, first as a communicative tool, and second as a psychological tool to support learners' cognitive and linguistic development in their L2 learning. Significance - This study is significant to L2 researchers and practitioners as it provides insights into how learners make use of their L2 knowledge to optimally support their cognitive processes in gaining understanding of the target language. This, in fact, has long been a neglected issue in the field of L2 learning, as discussion on metalanguage or a learner's metalinguistic knowledge is more often associated with presenting a learner with the explicit input of grammar rules in promoting his/her L2 proficiency.