ASM Sc. J., 21(1), 2026

Published on January 15, 2026

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2026.0338

Author: Anisah Jamaluddin, NY Mohd Yusof, DL Abd Razak, NY Abd Rashid, M. Abdul Manan, A Abd Ghani, S Ramli

Abstract

The current study evaluated the efficacy of Aspergillus oryzae-fermented broken rice (FBR) and rice bran (FRB) extracts in inhibiting photoaging in UVB-irradiated fibroblasts. The FBR and FRB extracts at 50 and 100 µg/mL markedly suppressed intracellular elastase activity and the FRB extract at 100 µg/mL significantly lowered the MMP-1 secretion in UVB-irradiated fibroblasts. Both FRB and FRB extracts also significantly downregulated the expression of MMP-1 and SFE genes in the UVB-irradiated fibroblasts. Furthermore, the substantial elevation of COL1A1 gene expression by FBR and FRB extracts at 50 µg/mL also indicated the potential of these extracts to enhance collagen type 1 synthesis. The present findings indicate that FBR and FRB extracts may potentially serve as functional components to mitigate skin damage caused by UVB radiation. However, further investigation is necessary to ascertain the precise anti-photoaging mechanism.

Keywords: anti-photoaging, broken rice, fibroblast, rice bran, solid-state fermentation

ASM Sc. J., 21(1), 2026

Published on June 12, 2026

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2026.2000

Author: Rayzigerson Rodney, Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar, Thor Seng Liew, Benoit Goossens

Abstract

The relationship between humans and wildlife has existed for thousands of years, with hunting being the most fundamental aspect. Borneo, especially Sabah, is known to be one of the hotspots for legal and illegal wildlife trade and consumption. In 2016, the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) introduced the wildlife market logbook for wildlife meat suppliers. Data from the West Coast (WCD) and Interior Division (IRD) wildlife market logbooks from 2016 to 2019 were analysed to examine the status of the wildlife market in terms of wildlife meat species and the temporal patterns of supply and demand in the different areas. Until now, there has been no proper centralised system for the baseline data to monitor the trend of legal wildlife markets in Sabah. A total of 122.4 tonnes of wildlife meat was extracted from the forests, primarily comprising bearded pigs (Sus barbatus) and sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) for a duration of four years (2016 to 2019). In the WCD, the largest amount of game meat was bought in May and December, while IRD was in February and April. This shows that there is always a supply when there is a demand, even outside of the festive months. This study showed that the logbook is an important tool in monitoring the legal wild meat market, but its effectiveness depends on data management conducted by the SWD. In conclusion, this highlights the intricate dynamics of human-wildlife interactions and the challenges inherent in monitoring the trade in wildlife in Sabah.

Keywords: interior division, logbook, market, west coast, wild meat, wildlife

ASM Sc. J., 21(1), 2026

Published on June 11, 2026

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2026.0114

Author: Suzanah Abdul Rahman, Mohd Affendi Mohd Shafri, Nurulhuda Mohd Suffian

Abstract

Malay medical manuscripts (MMMs) reflect centuries of indigenous therapeutics, but their contribution to contemporary male reproductive medicine is little explored. This study evaluated natural treatments of male reproductive ailments recorded in selected MMMs by combining native wisdom and modern scientific verification. Five transliterated MMMs were obtained from the collection of IIUM, Kuantan, and assessed using the Scientific Analysis of Kitab Tib Index for Index of Manuscript Selection (SAKTI- iMS). Traditional formulations and pharmacological effects documented in the MMMs were compared with empirical studies retrieved from NCBI PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar, ensuring comprehensive appraisal of pharmacological evidence and regional publications. 79 natural products were identified in 32 formulations utilised for male reproductive disorders, with Tayyib Al-Ihsan Fi Tibb Al-Insan and Kitab Tib MSS 2515 contributing the highest number of formulations (25% each) and MSS 2515 showing the greatest diversity of natural products (34.2%). Remedies are primarily plant- based (74.3%), with honey, shallot, black seed, raisins, and sugar palm tree, noted to improve sperm quality, erectile dysfunction, and low sexual desire. Significant antioxidant activities from the high phenolic contents, reduce lipid peroxidation thus enhance cellular functions. Traditional knowledge integrated with scientific validation highlights the potential of MMMs in enhancing evidence-based medical interventions.

Keywords: ethnomedicine, Malay medical manuscripts, male reproductive health, natural products, pharmacological effects

ASM Sc. J., 21(1), 2026

Published on June 11, 2026

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2026.0351

Author: Abdul Muiz Aniq Aiman Mohd Suhaimi, Nursabrina Amirah Mohd Nasir, Wan Mohd Ikhmal Wan Mohamad Kamaruzzaman, Muhammad Syaizwadi Shaifudin, Norni Hidayawati Mat Daud, Mohd Sabri Mohd Ghazali

Abstract

This study systematically investigates the effects of calcium titanate (CTO) concentration on the microstructure and electrical properties of ZnO-based varistor ceramics to identify optimal Bi-free formulations for low-voltage protection applications. CTO, a perovskite oxide, was incorporated to address the volatility and environmental limitations of conventional Bi₂O₃-based varistors. Analyses of microstructural and crystallographic data reveal that low CTO concentrations promote grain growth, while higher amounts induce moderate grain refinement and increased micro-strain. Electrical characterisation demonstrates enhanced nonlinearity in all CTO-doped ZnO ceramics, with the maximum nonlinearity coefficient (α = 3.850) and lowest leakage current density (425.11 μA/cm²) observed at 1.0 mol% CTO. The study identifies an optimal CTO concentration window that yields a balanced combination of large grain size, high potential barrier height, and stable non-ohmic response. These findings confirm CTO as an effective, thermally stable substitute for Bi2O3 in tailoring grain boundary properties and electrical performance, laying the groundwork for environmentally friendly ZnO varistor development. Future research should further refine doping strategies to maximise nonlinear characteristics and device reliability.

Keywords: Bi-free ceramics, calcium titanate doping, grain boundary, nonlinear electrical properties, zinc oxide varistor

ASM Sc. J., 21(1), 2026

Published on May 29, 2026

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2026.1957

Author: Jiunn Luh Tan, Wei Chuen Soh, Yi'En Leong

Abstract

Twenty-six percent of global rice is produced in Southeast Asia, yet rice shortages remain a regional concern. Integrated pest management (IPM) has been promoted for decades to improve yields, but its adoption in Malaysia remains low. The reasons for this need to be investigated, as Malaysia aims to produce safer, higher-quality food. A survey was conducted in two paddy areas using a questionnaire to assess paddy farmers’ knowledge of IPM-related topics. The study found that all respondents still rely on chemical pest control methods. Respondents scored well in their knowledge of insecticides, pest symptoms, and arthropod pests and their ecology, with average scores of 71.9%, 71.5%, and 70.2%, respectively. However, they performed poorly on topics related to natural enemies and their ecology, with an average score of 36%. The generalised linear model revealed that age, farming experience, and levels of educations did not significantly affect knowledge of insecticides, pest symptoms, and arthropod pests and their ecology. However, higher levels of education were predicted to improve scores on topics related natural enemies and their ecology. Based on these findings, farmer education is recommended to enhance their knowledge of biological control, with the hope of promoting higher adoption of IPM in Malaysia.

Keywords: farmers knowledge, farming practice, Oryza sativa, pest control, sustainable agriculture

ASM Sc. J., 21(1), 2026

Published on May 25, 2026

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2026.0337

Author: Abdulrahman Reda, Mohamad Darwish, Shaymaa Mustafa, Amani Utt, Azmi Aris, Anie Yulistyorini

Abstract

Struvite precipitation has attracted increasing attention as a promising approach for nutrient management in wastewater treatment. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric and thematic analysis of global research on struvite precipitation, aiming to elucidate its development trends, intellectual structure, and emerging directions. The article evaluates 1,717 studies on struvite technology as a nutrient recovery method, from 1999 to 2024 extracted from Scopus®, through a structured bibliometric analysis using the Biblioshiny tool. The results identify a major turning point around 2013, marking a shift from foundational laboratory-scale studies to rapid expansion characterised by increased research output, pilot-scale applications, and integration with advanced treatment technologies. China is found to be the top country in the number of citations and total publications, which hosted the first two leading institutions. Additionally, keyword analysis illustrates strong connections between “struvite” and terms like “phosphorus recovery” and “wastewater”, emphasising struvite precipitation as a still- promising method for recovering phosphorus from emerging P-rich wastewaters. Furthermore, two major research gaps are highlighted; the role of struvite technology in climate change remediation, as well as the economic feasibility of struvite fertiliser harvested from waste streams.

Keywords: bibliometric analysis, fertiliser, phosphate recovery, struvite, wastewater treatment

ASM Sc. J., 21(1), 2026

Published on May 25, 2026

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2026.0092

Author: Paweera Rojanaparnich, Sukree Sinthupinyo, Wattana Viriyasitavat, Nattiporn Nokkaew

Abstract

The aim of creating a popular nutrition knowledge and food recommendation app, designated as the mobile application for personal nutrition system (MPnutris), is to improve knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours. This study involves the development and design of this system with a focus on expert perspectives, which addressed the limitations and opportunities for app implementation and integration and resulted in acceptance outcomes. To examine the application’s components, a focus group discussion was conducted with eight experts at the Football Association under the Patronage of His Majesty the King in order to identify the needs and gaps based on Fogg’s motivation principle and Davis’s theory of innovation and technology acceptance from the aspects of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. The MPnutris prototype was used in the study, and the results showed that most participants found that there were no problems in its trial and use, the app was easy to use, and the functions of MPnutris were acceptable. Therefore, the app could be a feasible and acceptable solution to support nutrition promotion interventions in primary care.

Keywords: apps, mobile application, nutrition knowledge, personal nutrition system

ASM Sc. J., 21(1), 2026

Published on May 15, 2026

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2026.0235

Author: Nur Airie Zainudin, Thivialosini Siva, Nurul Shahida Redzuan, Edlic Sathiamurthy, Ku Mohd Kalkausar Ku Yusof, Suhailey Mohd Noor, Siti Sofo Ismail

Abstract

Diatoms are adaptable microbes that have numerous uses in areas including environmental monitoring and drowning investigations. Due to the ongoing exposure to moisture and changing conditions, traditional forensic techniques for detecting and estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) of partially submerged cadavers are frequently inefficient in aquatic situations. To ascertain the PMI and the location of partially submerged burial remains, this study sought to assess the efficacy of diatoms as biological indicators. This study was conducted in freshwater and brackish water ecosystems, where the fatty flesh of commercial Sus scrofa was buried in a shallow grave and allowed to decompose at several designated sampling points for 270 days of burial interval. Benthic diatoms were sampled from the associated soils to determine their abundances at each decomposition stage. Notably, several diatom species were identified as potential PMI indicators, including Caloneis silicule (freshwater) and Chaetoceros coarctatum (brackish water). Species potentially useful for locating submerged cadavers including Cosinodiscus argus for freshwater systems and Fragilaria crotonensis for brackish water. Additionally, strong correlations between certain diatoms (Navicula cancellata, Fragilaria vaucheriae, Hantzchia sp., Nitzschia closterium, and Coscinodiscus gigas) and lipid content further underscore their potential to be used in forensic investigations.

Keywords: brackish water ecosystems, Diatom diversity, forensic diatomology, freshwater ecosystems, partially submerge burial cadaver

ASM Sc. J., 21(1), 2026

Published on April 2, 2026

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2026.0077

Author: ChiFeng Tan, XinYing Chew, KhaiWah Khaw, WeiLin Teoh, ZhiLin Chong

Abstract

Rapid advances in big data analytics, machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) have transformed algorithmic trading (AT), enabling more accurate prediction of market trends and price movements. Once limited by technological constraints, AT is now wide ly adopted, with a large share of daily trading volume executed by hedge funds, insurance companies, and investment banks using proprietary algorithms. This institutional dominance has concentrated resources and innovation within large corporations, creating barriers that limit access to advanced trading tools for individual investors. This paper addresses this imbalance by proposing a user -centric, open-source algorithmic trading platform designed to democratise access to sophisticated trading technologies. The system integrates a custom-built deep learning model that analyses historical stock data alongside news sentiment to improve trading predictions. The trading infrastructure is implemented using the open - source QuantConnect framework, while decision-making is driven by DL and sentiment analysis techniques. The application was designed, deployed, and rigorously evaluated using standard software performance metrics. Results demonstrate that the proposed system enhances accessibility to state-of-the-art trading strategies, empowering individual investors and promoting a more inclusive, competitive, and innovative stock trading ecosystem.

Keywords: deep learning, investors, open-source, QuantConnect, stock analysis

ASM Sc. J., 21(1), 2026

Published on March 27, 2026

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2026.0103

Author: Cristobal B. Cayetano, Sheryl M. Balbutan, Vivian U. Villanueva, John Carlo O. Macalagay, Lota A. Creencia

Abstract

The tri-spine horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus Leach, 1819) is an endangered species whose population status and human interactions remain poorly understood in the Philippines. This study aimed to integrate morphometric and allometric analyses of T. tridentatus with fishers’ perceptions to inform species conservation. A total of 118 adult specimens (63 males and 55 females) were measured for prosomal length (PL), opisthosomal length (OL), carapace length (CL), carapace width (CW), telson length (TEL), total length (TL), and body weight (BW). Statistical comparisons using analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant sexual dimorphism, with females exhibiting larger body dimensions than males. Growth patterns differed by sex, with females showing isometric growth for PL and CW, while males exhibited negative allometry for BW. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated strong correlations among morphometric parameters, with the first component explaining 44.7% (males) and 46.4% (females) of total variance. To assess human dimensions, 90 fishers were interviewed across different ethnic groups. Univariate analysis revealed that Visayan fishers were the most supportive of proactive conservation actions, while PCA showed education and age as major factors shaping perception. These findings highlight the ne ed for integrated biological and social approaches to strengthen conservation strategies for T. tridentatus in the Philippines.

Keywords: Bycatch Practices, local ecological knowledge, marine biology, marine conservation survey, Southeast Asia

ASM Sc. J., 21(1), 2026

Published on March 25, 2026

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2026.0143

Author: Shivamurthy KP, Raju AS

Abstract

This study presents an efficient framework for skin cancer segmentation using Watershed algorithm and classification using Extreme Learning Machine model (ELM) with Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) feature extraction and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction. Segmentation stage exhibits a strong performance indicated through good Dice coefficient and precision value. The classification algorithm achieves 93.5% test accuracy with 91.3% sensitivity and 95.0% specificity on a melanoma classification dataset, demonstrating strong diagnostic capability while maintaining computational efficiency. The PCA reduction preserves 95% variance, enabling the lightweight ELM architecture to train 23 times faster than conventional deep learning approaches while maintaining competitive performance as given by the F1-score of 0.92. Brier score of 0.16 indicates a well calibrated probabilistic output while high negative predictive value suggests reliable prediction. These results suggest that the ELM-PCA-HOG combination offers an effective balance between accuracy and efficiency for clinical decision support systems, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

Keywords: extreme learning machine, image classification, image segmentation, skin cancer classification, watershed algorithm