Tuesday 24 November 2015

BENGKEL INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICAL OLYAMPIAD (IMO) 2016

Alhamdullilah saya panjatkan kepada Illahi kerana telah berjaya tersenarai dalam "TOP 60" Malaysia yang melayakkan diri untuk dipilih menghadiri Bengkel International Mathematical Olyampiad (IMO) 2016 (dikenali BIMO).

Tahun ini adalah tahun yang membanggakan bagi Kolej PERMATApintar Negara, UKM kerana terdapat 8 pelajar telah melepasi "TOP 60" Malaysia yang mana dibandingkan pencapaian pada tahun 2015 hanya saya seorang melepasi tahap tersebut.  

Mereka yang terpilih "TOP 60" Malaysia adalah Cosmartin Allistair anak Cosmas Bujing dan Muhammad Syahir Abdul Nasir dari Level 2; Muhammad Hafizudeen bin Mohamad Saman dan Nurul Izzati binti Saldi dari Level 1; Zoey Zeffrey Azman dan Ong Jing Kai dari Foundation 2;  Oh Juin Chuen dan Raymand Tey Jia Cheng dari Foundation 1.

Pada tahun lepas (2015) saya (Zoey) adalah pelajar yang termuda iaitu berusia 12 tahun terpilih ke Bengkel International Mathematical Olyampiad (IMO) yang bersaing dengan semua peserta dari umur 13 tahun hingga 20 tahun. Dalam rekod,  saya adalah pelajar yang ke-2 termuda terpilih ke BIMO.

Pada kali ini semua pelajar Foundation 1 & 2 yang terpilih "TOP 60" Malaysia 2016 adalah berumur 13 tahun -  Zoey Zeffrey Azman, Ong Jing Kai, Oh Juin Chuen dan Raymand Tey Jia Cheng. 

Yang pastinya tahun ini, saya tidak lagi kesunyian kerana terdapat 8 pelajar Kolej PERMATApintar Negara bersama-sama berjuang untuk mendapatkan tempat yang terbaik bagi terpilih mewakili negara.


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Malaysia IMO 2016 Training

 imo2016logo

The IMO official logo and the 57rd IMO logo

Introduction

This is the unofficial page of the Malaysia International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) Training Program.
IMO 2016 will be held in Hong Kong on 6-16 July 2016. Refer to the official site for more details:
http://www.imo2016.org/

Six students will be selected to represent Malaysia in the competition. The students will undergo selection tests and training camps throughout the year.

The Malaysian team preparations for IMO 2016 has already started. The program is organized by Pusat PERMATApintar Negara (PPpN), UKM under the patronage of the Ministry of Education, Malaysia, made possible by generous corporate sponsorship from ExxonMobil Malaysia.

About the IMO

The IMO is the World Championship Mathematics Competition for High School students and is held annually in a different country. The first IMO was held in 1959 in Romania, with 7 countries participating. It has gradually expanded to over 100 countries from 5 continents. The IMO Advisory Board ensures that the competition takes place each year and that each host country observes the regulations and traditions of the IMO.

(From the IMO official website.)



Saturday 21 November 2015

The wife of Prime Minister of Japan visited Pusat PERMATApintar Negara, UKM

 20th Nov. 2015.

Mrs Abe, wife of Prime Minister of Japan visited Pusat PERMATApintar Negara, UKM. She was accompanied by YABhg Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. 





















Wednesday 18 November 2015

Pemergian Jonah Lomu: 7 perkara yang anda mungkin tidak tahu

Pemergian Jonah Lomu: 7 perkara yang anda mungkin tidak tahu

Pemergian Jonah Lomu: 7 perkara yang anda mungkin tidak tahu 
Lomu mencatat try paling banyak dalam Kejohanan Ragbi Piala Dunia, dengan 15 tries. 

Hari ini dunia kehilangan seorang lagenda. Jonah Lomu, bekas bintang ragbi yang bermain untuk New Zealand All Blacks, meninggal dunia dipercayai akibat penyakit buah pinggang yang dihidapinya sejak sekian lama.

Bagi mereka yang mungkin baru mengenali sukan ragbi, kami senaraikan tujuh fakta tentang bintang berusia 40 tahun ini.

1. Lomu berketinggian 6'5, berat kira-kira 120 kilogram dan kelajuan lariannya dianggarkan 100 meter dalam masa 11 saat.

2. Muncul di pentas antarabangsa pada usia 19 tahun; antara penampilan antarabangsa termuda dalam sejarah.

3. Mencatat try paling banyak dalam Kejohanan Ragbi Piala Dunia, dengan 15 tries dalam 10 perlawanan.

4. Pernah menolak tawaran bernilai jutaan dolar untuk bermain dengan sebuah pasukan futbol dari Amerika Syarikat.

5. Pernah ditawarkan untuk memegang watak penjahat bernama Gabor dalam filem James Bond: The World is Not Enough, namun menolak kerana mahu memberi tumpuan kepada kerjayanya sebagai pemain ragbi.
6. Lomu berjuang dengan penyakit buah pinggang yang dihidapi sepanjang kariernya. Dia disahkan menghidap Sindrom Nephrotic, sejenis masalah buah pinggang pada tahun 1995.

7. Bersara dari ragbi pada tahun 2007, selepas 12 tahun bergelar pemain profesional.

Tuesday 17 November 2015

CERITA PAKU

Cerita Paku....

Paku untuk anak!!! 

Ada seorang pemuda yang sangat pemarah. Dia tidak dapat mengawal kemarahannya walaupun ia hanya berpunca dari satu masalah kecil sahaja.

Pada suatu hari, bapanya telah menghadiahkan seguni paku. "Untuk apakah paku-paku ini ayah?" tanya pemuda. "Setiap kali kamu marah, kamu pakulah tembok batu di hadapan rumah kita ini, bagi melepaskan kemarahan mu" jawab ayahnya. Pada hari yang pertama sahaja, pemuda itu telah memaku sebanyak 37 batang paku pada tembok batu tersebut.

Selepas beberapa minggu, setelah dia dapat mengurangkan kemarahannya, jumlah paku yang digunakan juga berkurangan. Dia mula menyedari adalah lebih mudah mengawal kemarahannya dari memukul paku menembusi tembok batu tersebut. Akhirnya tibalah pada suatu hari, di mana pemuda tersebut tidak marah, walau sekali pun. Dia pun memberitahu ayahnya mengenai perkara tersebut dengan gembira. Bapanya mengucapkan tahniah dan menyuruh dia mencabut kembali paku itu satu persatu, pada setiap hari yang ia lalui tanpa kemarahan.

Hari berganti hari, dan akhirnya dia berjaya mencabut kesemua paku-paku tersebut. Pemuda tersebut lantas memberitahu perkara tersebut kepada bapanya dengan bangganya.
Bapanya telah memimpin tangannya ke tembok tersebut dan berkata; "Kau telah melakukannya dengan baik, anakku, tetapi lihatlah kesan lubang-lubang di tembok batu tersebut, tembok itu tidak akan kelihatan sama lagi seperti sebelumnya. 

Bila kau menyatakan sesuatu atau melakukan sesuatu ketika marah, ia akan meninggalkan kesan parut dan luka, sama seperti ini. Kau boleh menikam seseorang dengan pisau dan membunuhnya. Tetapi ingatlah, tak kisah berapa kali kau memohon maaf dan menyesal atas perbuatanmu, namun lukanya masih tetap ada. Luka di hati adalah lebih pedih dari luka fizikal.

Sahabat adalah permata yang sukar dicari. Mereka membuatkan kamu ketawa dan menggalakkanmu ke arah kejayaan. Sahabat juga adalah seorang pendengar, berkongsi suka dan duka dan sentiasa membuka hatinya kepada kita.

p/s :
Maafkan saya sekiranya saya pernah meninggalkan kesan berlubang di dinding hati anda semua...
Maafkan saya teman-teman......saudara saudaraku
IKHLAS DARI LUBUK HATI YANG PALING DALAM...

Monday 16 November 2015

Chong Wei wins China Open 2015 after defeating Chen Long

Chong Wei wins China Open after defeating Chen Long


Lee Chong Wei nailed the China Open men's singles title for the first time in super style on Sunday. The former world No. 1 Chong Wei crushed top seed Chen Long of China 21-15, 21-11 in a 50-minute men’s singles final at the China Open in Fuzhou to become only the third Malaysian singles player to do so on the Chinese soil.

Wong Choong Hann won the men’s singles title in 2002 while Chong Wei’s wife Wong Mew Choo pulled off the feat in 2007 when she became the first Malaysian woman to nick it.

The only Malaysian doubles pair to win the title on the Chinese soil are brothers Razif and Jalani Sidek in 1989. Chong Wei played the right game plan, his attacking and defensive game was solid.
Chong Wei is certainly back at his best after going through uncertain times over the last few months. This will put him in the right frame of mind ahead of the Olympic Games in Rio next year. Just a day ago, Chong Wei played superbly to beat five-time world champion Lin Dan of China in the semi-finals - his first win over the Chinese in about four years.

In Solidarity With France.

minds Paris KL Tower is lit in the colours of France as Malaysia joins the world in paying homage to the victims of Friday’s Paris attacks.




Menara Kuala Lumpur was illuminated with a display of blue, white and red lights, which symbolised France’s flag, as a sign of support to the victims of the Paris terror attacks.

KL Tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers, the light display on the 400m tower was created in solidarity with the victims and also to denounce ter­rorism.
This is to show the support of Malaysians towards the victims and to say that terrorism is never right. We pray that Paris will be brightened up again after this dark incident. 

World landmarks such as the One World Trade Centre in New York, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and the San Francisco City Hall among others, were also lit in blue, white and red in solidarity with France.

Light of hope: KL Tower is illuminated in the colour of France’s flag as a homage to the victims of the Paris attack.
KL Tower is illuminated in the colour of France’s flag as a homage to the victims of the Paris attack.

Thursday 12 November 2015

My Lovely Mentor : Professor Datuk Dr Noriah Mohd Ishak

Professor Datuk Dr Noriah Mohd Ishak

Prof Dr Noriah Mohd Ishak
Dr Noriah has a collective of more than 30-years working experience as a consultant, educator, lecturer, researcher, and administrator. She started as a school teacher with the Ministry of Education before becoming an academia at the Faculty of Education, UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, SelangorDarulEhsan.  She is currently the Director of PusatPERMATApintar™ Negara, UKM, the National Center for Gifted Education. She holds a PhD degree in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University, USA. She also holds numerous post-graduate diploma and certifications including in Gifted Education from University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia, in Holistic Health from Western Michigan University, USA, in Nutrition and Overcoming Gambling from Michigan State University, USA, and in Counseling Psychology from UKM.

Dr Noriah is a renowned educationist and social scientist.  She had been awarded with various recognitions in both local and international scenes including the Excellent Scientist Award by the Higher Education Ministry in 2005, the Excellent Award for Seoul International Invention Fair(SIIF) byKorea Invention Promotion Association in 2004, and the Excellent Social Science Lecturer Award by UKM in 2001.  As a prominent social scientist researcher, she holds two patents, numerous trademark and copyright on her works. She also received many gold and silver medals for her various research works.  She leads numerous research projects, publishes collections of articles in various academic journals, and presents numbers of conference papers, both locally and internationally. She has also been invited as key note speakers in many conferences locally and abroad. She is also directly involved with the Malaysian education transformation contributing her ideas through the round table discussion as well as through her achievements at PusatPERMATApintar™ Negara.  She also works very closely with Johns Hopkins University – Centre for Talented Youth and MAWHIBA in gifted education program, and plays the role of a consultant to many various gifted centre for the middle-east countries.

Dr Noriah is also an experienced trainer and consultant.  She is a qualified trainer for QSR International, and had conducted qualitative research trainingssince 2004.  Besides that, her expertise has been continuously sought in the area of psychological management and human capital development, whereby, she has conducted various courses and programs like educating at-risks students, counseling skill development, leadership and motivation training, research methodology, psychological development, gifted education, emotional intelligence, parenting for the gifted, stress management and many others.

Talk by Prof. Dr. Asad M Madni ‘CONVERGENCE OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGE OF THE 21st CENTURY ‘

Talk by Prof. Dr. Asad M Madni ‘CONVERGENCE OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGE OF THE 21st CENTURY ‘

Prof. Asad
Date:         6 November 2015
Day:           Friday
Venue:      Auditorium, PERMATApintar Gifted and Talented Center.
Time :       10 am – 12 pm


Distinguished Prof. Dr. Asad M. Madni




President,Chief Operating Officer & CTO (Retired) BEI Technologies Inc.
Distinguished Adjunct Professor/Distinguished Scientist, Electrical Engineering Department, University of California Los Angeles, USA
Title: Convergence Of Emerging Technologies To Address The Challenges Of The 21st Century
 
Abstract

There are numerous "Grand Challenges" facing humanity that will have to be addressed by us as a global society in order to maintain our well-being from the standpoint of quality of life, healthcare, environment, energy needs, manufacturing efficiencies, etc., if we are to continue humanity's trajectory of progress. Traditional technologies based on classical disciplines and thought processes of the past several decades are no longer viable in addressing these challenges, and a new approach based on interdisciplinary thinking is necessary. Fortunately, numerous emerging technologies are advancing at an unimaginable rate and it is the convergence of these technologies that demonstrate the potential to have a major impact on our lives, businesses, government, society and our planet. These emerging technologies are establishing the basis for a new paradigm in the development and commercialization of next generation intelligent, miniaturized, highly robust complex systems. This lecture will address some of these major technologies and their applications including, intelligent sensors and wireless sensor networks, intelligent cars and smart highways, tele-health (wireless healthcare), micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), nanotechnology, clean technology, robotics and automation, smart grid, and ultra high throughput and wide bandwidth instrumentation.

Biography
 
Prof. Dr. Asad M. Madni served as President, Chief Operating Officer & CTO of BEI Technologies Inc. headquartered in Sylmar, California, from 1992 until his retirement in 2006. He led the development and commercialization of intelligent micro-sensors and systems for aerospace, military, commercial and transportation industries, including the Extremely Slow Motion Servo Control System for Hubble Space Telescope’s Star Selector System which provided the Hubble with unprecedented accuracy and stability, resulting in truly remarkable images that have enhanced our understanding of the universe; and the revolutionary MEMS GyroChip® technology which is used worldwide for Electronic Stability Control and Rollover Protection in passenger vehicles, thereby saving millions of lives every year.

Prior to joining BEI he was with Systron Donner Corporation for 18 years in senior technical & executive positions, eventually as Chairman, President & CEO. Here, he made seminal and pioneering contributions in the development of RF & Microwave Systems & Instrumentation which significantly enhanced the Combat Readiness of the US Navy (and its allies) and which provided the DOD the ability (not possible with prior art) to simulate more threat representative ECM environments for current and future advanced warfare training. Dr. Madni is currently an Independent Consultant; Distinguished Adjunct Professor and Distinguished Researcher of Electrical Engineering at UCLA; and Executive Managing Director & Chief Technical Officer of Crocker Capital, a San Francisco based private venture firm specializing in emerging technologies.

He received an A.A.S. from RCA Institutes Inc., B.S. & M.S. from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Ph.D. from California Coast University (CCU), D.Sc. (honoris causa) from Ryerson University, D.Eng. (honoris causa) from Technical University of Crete, and Sc.D. (honoris causa) from California State University and California State University Northridge (CSUN). He is also a graduate of the Engineering Management Program at the California Institute of Technology, the Executive Institute at Stanford University, and the Program for Senior Executives at MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Madni is an internationally recognized authority with over 40 years of experience in "intelligent" sensors, system and instrumentation design and signal processing. He is credited with over 150 refereed publications in archival journals, conference proceedings and book chapters; over 100 research reports & internal publications; over 100 keynote addresses, invited lectures, chairs and panels; and 68 issued or pending patents resulting in numerous "industry firsts".

Dr. Madni has served as a director on the board of 7 highly successful technology companies and on advisory boards of several professional and academic organizations. He is currently serving as Distinguished Professor at TCI College of Technology (the first such appointment in the history of the Institute since its founding in 1909 by Nobel Laureate Guglielmo Marconi), Adjunct Professor in the Computer Science Department at Ryerson University; and on advisory boards at UCLA, USC, CSUN, TCI, IEEE Systems Journal, AutoSoft Journal, and as Honorary Editor of the International Journal on Smart Sensing & Intelligent Systems.

Dr. Madni is also the recipient of numerous national and international awards and honors including, the 2013 (inaugural) UCLA Electrical Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award, the 2012 IEEE Aerospace and Electronics Systems Society's Pioneer Award, the 2010 IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society's Career Excellence Award, the 2010 UCLA Engineering Lifetime Contribution Award, TCI College of Technology's Marconi Medal (the Institute’s highest honor) and Citation of Honor, 2008 IEEE Region 6 Outstanding Engineer Award, 2008 IEEE Region 6 South Outstanding Engineer and Outstanding Leadership & Professional Service Awards, 2008 UCLA Engineering Distinguished Service Award, the 2006 World Automation Congress Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2005 IEE Achievement Medal, the 2004 UCLA Engineering Alumnus of the Year Award (highest honor granted by the school), the 2004 Distinguished Engineering Achievement Award from the Engineers’ Council.
 
The recipient of  the 2003 George Washington Engineer of the Year Award from the Los Angeles Council of Engineers & Scientists, the 2002 UCLA Professional Achievement Award Medal, IEEE Third Millennium Medal, Joseph F. Engelberger Best Paper Award at the 2000 World Automation Congress, CCU Distinguished Alumni Award (highest honor granted by the university), Association of Old Crows Gold Certificate of Merit, and is listed in all major Who’s Who publications including Who’s Who in America, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in Science & Engineering, Who's Who in Technology, Who's Who in Finance & Industry, International Who's Who of Intellectuals, 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 20th & 21st Centuries, Outstanding People of the 21st Century, and Asia Men and Women of Achievement. He has also been a featured guest on numerous television shows including CNN with Casey Wyan and BizNews 1 (now CNBC) with Mike Russell. In 2011 he was elected to the US National Academy of Engineering "for contributions to development and commercialization of sensors and systems for aerospace and automotive safety".

He is a Chartered Engineer, Life Fellow of the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers, Fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (UK), Fellow of the Institution of Engineering & Technology (UK), Fellow of the Institute for the Advancement of Engineering, Fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences, Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Lifetime Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, and Life Fellow of the International Biographical Association. He is also an Eminent Engineer of Tau Beta Pi, The National Engineering Honor Society; Honorary Member of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines; Honorary Member of Phi Kappa Phi, Interdisciplinary Honor Society; Member of Eta Kappa Nu, The Electrical and Computer Engineering Honor Society; Member of Tau Alpha Pi, The National Engineering Technology Honor Society; Member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society; Member of Delta Epsilon Tau, International Honor Society; Life Member of the Association of Old Crows; Member of the Internet Society and Member of the Order of the Engineer.

Wednesday 11 November 2015

LANDSLIDE AT KARAK HIGHWAY AT BUKIT TINĢGI



PETALING JAYA: A landslide is blocking all lanes in both directions on the Karak Highway.

"It's at KM52.2 at Bukit Tinggi. It's the really watery kind of mud. So all lanes in all directions are currently being obstructed," said head of traffic from the STAR Radio Media Group Priscilla Patrick.

For now, traffic heading towards Kuala Lumpur is stuck in a 3km standstill, with a 1km crawl heading towards Bentong.

"I just spoke to officials - there are some cars that are buried in this landslide, so it's not looking good. It's not going to clear up till midnight, I think it's going to go on till morning," she added.

As an alternative, road users can exit off at Bukit Tinggi or Bentong, or use trunk roads to bypass the congestion.
 

Sunday 8 November 2015

Just for laugh

Kisah pelancong Arab
Ada seorang pelancong Arab naik teksi mengelilingi Penang. Tiba-tiba sebuah kereta dengan ekzos bising memecut dari belakang memotong dia orang, si Arab terkejut dan berteriak: "Ustahiad...! Ustahiad...!"

Tak lama kemudian ada lagi keta sport laaagi laju memotong dia orang, si Arab teriak lagi: "isthibustim....! Isthibustim...!".

Driver teksi heran mendengar bahasa si Arab.
Tak semena-mena, ada satu lagi kereta canggih memotong, si Arab teriak lagi: "..aik..!". Makin lama makin hairan drebar teksi tu.

Memotong lagi kereta yang bumbungya boleh terbuka / tertutup (convertible), si Arab teriak lagi excited "adzam.......adzam...". Garu kepala la si drebar ni kali.

Tak lama kemudian, kereta sedan kecil pula muncul dari arah kiri, mengucap si Arab: "Ya Allah, Ikuzus..., Ikuzus ....!"

Tiba-tiba sebuah keta mewah memotong sambil kasi race2 pedal minyak depan diaorang, lagi kuat si Arab teriak: " Irraref... , irraref...!!!"

Setelah keta tadi berlalu, suasana kembali sepi.
Si drebar pula berfikir ....
Fikir.....
Fikir lagi............
Fikiiiiiir...
Fikir terusss.. ..
..
Akhirnya si drebar tak puas ati: "Tuan, ente dari daerah Arab sebelah mana? Tak pernah ana dgr loghat Arab ente..!??"
Pelancong Arab jwb : "Ana mmg asal kota Arab lah. Tadi tu ana baca tulisan di belakang keta-keta yg memotong!!. Di Arab, ana baca dari kanan ke kiri.
Drebar: "..Haaaaah.....!!?".....
Nah!! gi scroll balik la...
Apa laaa yang dibaca oleh si Arab tadi... ? 

WE ARE CONFUSE

Boss in office: OK guys, today we are going to play a game...
"When I say a name of fruit, you run to the right side of the hall...
And when I say any color, you run to the left side of the hall...
One who runs on wrong side will not get the increment...
got it? "
Employees: "Yes Boss, Got it."
Boss: "Okay...Ready, Set..."
............."ORANGE"!
Employees: 😇😇😇😇😇😇

THE APPLICATION OF DNA SEQUENCING IN IDENTIFYING THE BIODIVERSITY OF CERITHIDEA OBTUSA ALONG THE MANGROVES OF PARIT KEROMA, MUAR, JOHOR




THE APPLICATION OF DNA SEQUENCING IN IDENTIFYING THE BIODIVERSITY OF CERITHIDEA OBTUSA ALONG THE MANGROVES OF PARIT KEROMA, MUAR, JOHOR



by
ZOEY ZEFFREY AZMAN, 2K3




This proposal is submitted to Pn. Syakina, Research Instructor of Kolej PERMATApintar Negara, UKM, in fulfillment of the Requirement for the Research and Methodology subject for Foundation 2

November 2015

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ABSTRACT
This study is on the application of DNA sequencing in identifying the biodiversity of Cerithidea obtusa along the mangroves of Parit Keroma, Muar, Johor. Cerithidea obtusa is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Potamididae. It is used as food in Malaysia where it is known by the name "Siput Sedut". This research is concentrated only on Cerithidea obtusa. This study will be conducted in the mangrove areas along the coastal side of Parit Keroma, Muar, Johor, facing the Strait of Malacca; at about 10 locations from latitude 2.005010, 102.572937 to longitude 2.001547, 102.574021. Visits to the sampling area at the end of each month for 5 consecutive months and collecting Cerithidea obtusa sp. in 10 different locations. Each location will be marked on the nearest mangrove tree. The samples of Cerithidea obtusa sp. will be collected during low tides via hand, and will be placed into containers with 95% alcohol, with it being labeled after (date collected, place collected). The process being carried out is DNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis and cycle sequencing.

**************************************************


CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of Study

Marine molluscs are seafood commodities. They inhabit their natural habitat, the intertidal area, which are usually close to estuaries. In Malaysia, the mangrove ecosystem has been an important resource for the coastal, estuarine and to a certain extent, the riverine communities. Mangrove trees are found along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, generally associated with mudflats and clay swamps, which provide good environments for living organisms including gastropods.  According to the Department of Fisheries, the Malaysia Fisheries Directory documented 27 bivalves and 18 species of gastropods in Malaysia's coastal areas.
Cerithidea obtusa is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Potamididae. The Obtuse Horn Shell also known as "Mud Creeper" is a relatively common snail found in muddy coastal areas. It grows to around 5-6 cm. It is used as food in Southeast Asia where it is known by the name "Siput Sedut" or "Belitung". This research is concentrated only on Cerithidea obtusa along the coasts of Parit Keroma, Muar, Johor, facing the Strait of Malacca. The objective of this research is to determine the actual species of the Cerithidea obtusa along the coasts of Parit Keroma; to understand the lifestyles of Cerithidea obtusa along the coasts of Parit Keroma; and for profiling in the GenBank and BOLD.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

Is the species of Cerithidea obtusa located in mangrove areas along the coast of Parit Keroma, Muar, Johor unique in a way that it has been profiled into GenBank, or is it similar to the other species all across Malaysia which have already been profiled?

1.3       Objective of Study
1.    To determine the actual species of the Cerithidea obtusa along the coasts of Parit Keroma;
2.    For profiling in the GenBank and BOLD; and
3.    To understand the lifestyles of Cerithidea obtusa along the coasts of Parit Keroma

1.4       Limitations of the Study

The equipment in the prepared lab of Kolej PERMATApintar Negara, the Biology lab, may not be enough for the DNA extraction and sequencing.

1.5       Basic Assumptions

1.    The species of Cerithidea obtusa found in the mangroves of Parit Keroma is different from the species found in the other parts of Malaysia, making it a unique species of Cerithidea obtusa, which has not been found or documented.
2.    The species of Cerithidea obtusa found in the mangroves of Parit Keroma is the same as the species found in the other parts of Malaysia.



 *********************************************


CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1       Studies on mangrove biodiversity:

Mangroves are found globally in tropical ad sub-tropical regions at the confluence of marine and terrestrial environments and support a unique ecosystem of considerable importance (Brandea Hookham, Aileen Tan Shau-Hwai, Benoit Dayrat and William Hintz, 1-12, 2014). In Malaysia, the mangrove ecosystem has been an important resource for the coastal, estuarine and to a certain extent, the riverine communities. Mangrove trees are found along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, generally associated with mudflats and clay swamps, which provide good environments for living organisms including gastropods (Franklin Berandah anak Edward Thomas, FS 2009 16).  According to the Department of Fisheries, Malaysia (2005), in 2005 - 2006, the Malaysia Fisheries Directory documented 27 bivalves and 18 species of gastropods in Malaysia's coastal areas.

Johor has a total of 20533 hectares of mangrove forests which are mostly found in Sungai Pulau Forest Reserve, Sungai Johor Forest Reserve, Sungai Santi Forest Reserve and Sungai Lebam Forest Reserve (I. Faridah-Hanum, A. Latiff, Khalid Rehman Hakeem, Munir Ozturk, 2012). The mangrove coastal area from Muar to Batu Pahat has not been categorized as a mangrove forest reserve. Therefore, this area slowly has been cleared and converted to small coconut plantations, palm oil cultivations and aqua cultural activities (I. Faridah-Hanum, A. Latiff, Khalid Rehman Hakeem, Munir Ozturk, 2012). This research is confined to the coastal areas of Muar; specifically along the mangroves of Parit Keroma, Muar, Johor. The encroachment to this mangrove area particularly at Parit Keroma has given impact to the biodiversity, especially a certain species of gastropods, Cerithidea obtusa.

Research has been conducted on the components of the composition of Cerithidea obtusa in Indonesian islands and discovered that there are antioxidant compounds. Antioxidant compounds are frequently produced by natural foods. Cerithidea obtusa is one of fishery commodities which is commonly consumed by society and traditionally used for therapeutic purposes. The aim of this research was to investigate the nutrient composition and antioxidant activity of C. obtusa. The nutrient compounds were analyzed using proximate contents according to AOAC method, mineral contents using APHA method, and amino acid contents using AOAC method. The results showed that Cerithidea obtusa contained 77.5% of moisture, 13.8% of protein, 2.8% of fat, and 4.5% of ash. Analyses of macro- and micro-minerals revealed that the highest level of macro-minerals was sodium 283.45 mg/100 g and the lowest one was calcium 39.78 mg/100 g. The highest level of micro-minerals was selenium 39.25 mg/100 g and the lowest one was copper 0.29 mg/100 g. The highest content of essential amino acids was isoleusin 4.82% and the lowest one was arginine 0.95%. The highest content of non-essential amino acids was glutamic acid 12.08% and the lowest one was cysteine 0.84%. Methanol extract of C. obtusa displayed potential antioxidant activities with IC50 value of 58,19 ppm, with IC50 of vitamin C as positive control was 3,555 ppm (Sri Purwaningsih, 2012).

2.2       Study of species of gastropods in Malaysia: 

There are quite a significant amount of researches on the gastropods' biodiversity in mangrove areas in Malaysia. The recent studies were done in Langkawi and Sungai Merbok, and they have reported that the gastropod species were rarer at the sampling site, especially species of Cerithidea obtusa (Brandea Hookham, Aileen Tan Shau-Hwai, Benoit Dayrat and William Hintz, 1-12, 2014). The study on biodiversity and distributions of marine invertebrate fauna was done at the areas of Mersing (Cob Z.C., Samat A., Muda W.M.L.W., Mazlan A.G, 2012: 1-14) of which field sampling was carried out using a transact line method, during low tide periods. The transact line was laid down along the tidal height, perpendicular to the shoreline. All marine invertebrates encountered within 1 meter areas of the line were recorded.  Species were taken and preserved in 5% formalin for analysis and identification.

2.3       Study on DNA Sequencing to identify species of gastropods; Cerithidea obtusa sp.

Till this day, I have not found any researches in Malaysia which involve studies on DNA sequencing to identify new species of Cerithidea obtusa sp. The application of DNA sequencing to identify species of gastropods has done previously by D.G. Reid, P. Dyal, P. Lozouet, M. Glaubrecht, S.T. Williams (2008). DNA was extracted from mantles or foot tissues of ethanol-preserved materials using DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kits (Qiagen) following the manufacturer’s instruction. Sequences were edited using Sequencher (v4.5, Gene Codes Corporation, Ann Arbor, Michigan). There is one research conducted on radula morphology, in Cerithidea obtusa (Lamarck, 1822) which was analyzed with Scanning Electron Microscopes (Hafizul Haque and Amalesh Choudry, 2014).

Most of the 29 living species of Potamididae show a close association with mangroves. The trees provide the snails with shelter, protection from predators, a solid substrate and sometimes food. Using sequences from three genes (nuclear 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA, mitochondrial COI) we derive a molecular phylogeny and recognize six living genera (Terebralia, Telescopium, Tympanotonos, Cerithidea, Cerithideopsis, Cerithideopsilla). The oldest modern genera (Terebralia, Cerithideopsis) appeared in the Tethyan realm in the Middle Eocene, shortly after the origin of mangrove trees. Whereas most potamidid genera are now restricted to either the Indo-West Pacific (IWP) or to the eastern Pacific plus Atlantic (EPA), sister clades of Cerithideopsis survive in both realms. Based on a reinterpretation of the fossil record (particularly of the monotypic Tympanotonos and extinct Potamides), and parsimonious reconstruction of ancestral habitats, we suggest that the living potamidids are an adaptive radiation that has always been closely associated with mangroves. The specialized tree-climbing groups Cerithidea and Cerithideopsis were independently derived from mud-dwelling ancestors (Reid D. G., 2008)


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CHAPTER 3

PROCEDURES / METHODOLOGY

3.1       Study Area and Sampling Procedure:

·        This study will be conducted in the mangrove areas along the coastal side of Parit Keroma, Muar, Johor, facing the Strait of Malacca; at about 10 locations from latitude 2.005010, 102.572937 to longitude 2.001547, 102.574021.

·        Visits to the sampling area at the end of each month for 5 consecutive months and collecting Cerithidea obtusa sp. in 10 different locations. Each location will be marked on the nearest mangrove tree.

·         The samples of Cerithidea obtusa sp. will be collected during low tides via hand, and will be placed into containers with 95% alcohol, with it being labeled after (date collected, place collected)

3.2       Experimental Procedure

·         DNA Isolation:

Reagents:
Supplies and Equipment:

Qiagen® DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit, including:

Buffer ATL (180 µL)

Buffer AL (200 µL)

Proteinase K (20 µL)

100% Ethanol (200 µL)

Buffer AW1 (500 µL)

Buffer AW2 (500 µL)

Buffer AE (100 µL)

1 DNeasy Mini spin column plus 2 additional collection tubes (2 mL)

Specimen tissue sample(s)


Container with cracked or crushed ice

Microcentrifuge

2 Microcentrifuge tubes (1.5 mL)

Micropipettes and tips (2-1000 µL)

Permanent marker

Tweezers and scissors

Water bath or heating blocks at 56 ºC

Vortexer (optional)

Microcentrifuge tube rack

Prior to beginning:
·         Buffer AL may form a precipitate upon storage. If necessary, warm to 56°C until the precipitate has fully dissolved.
·         Buffer AW1 and Buffer AW2 are supplied as concentrates. Before using for the first time, add the appropriate amount of 100% ethanol as indicated on the bottle to obtain a working solution.
      i.        Obtain a piece of Cerithidea obtusa sp. tissue ~10-20 mg or 1/4 inch diameter from each sample collected.
    ii.        Place tissue into a clean 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube labeled with sample identification number.
   iii.        Add 180 μL of buffer ATL to each tube. Use different pipette tip for each sample.
   iv.        Add 20 μL Proteinase K (20 mg/mL) to each tube and mix thoroughly the tissue with the solutions. Use different pipette tip for each sample.
    v.        Vortex tubes for 5 seconds. Use a vortex if available.
   vi.        Incubate at 56°C for at least 3 hours on a rocking platform (incubator) until the sample is completely lysed. Samples may appear sticky.
  vii.        Remove from incubator and vortex by hand or machine (if available) for 5 seconds.
viii.        Add 200 μL of buffer AL and 200 μL 100% Ethanol to each tube, vortex by hand or machine for 5 seconds.
   ix.        From the mixture, transfer ~600 μL to a spin DNeasy Mini spin column labeled with sample identification number. Spin column should be placed in a 2-ml collection tube.
    x.        Place your tubes in a balanced configuration in a microcentrifuge, with cap hinges pointing outward. Centrifuge for 1 minute at ≥6000 x g (8000 rpm).
   xi.        Dispose of the collection tube containing the flow-through and put the column in a clean 2-mL collection tube.
  xii.        Add 500 μL of buffer AW1.
xiii.        Place your tubes in a balanced configuration in a microcentrifuge, with cap hinges pointing outward. Centrifuge for 1 minute at ≥6000 x g (8000 rpm).
xiv.        Dispose of the collection tube containing the flow-through and put the column in a clean 2-mL collection tube.
  xv.        Add 500 μL of buffer AW2.
xvi.        Place your tubes in a balanced configuration in a microcentrifuge, with cap hinges pointing outward. Centrifuge 3 minutes at ≥20,000 x g (14000 rpm).
xvii.        Dispose of the collection tube containing the flow-through.
xviii.        Place spin column on a clean 1.5-mL microcentrifuge tube previously labeled with sample identification number.
xix.        Add 100 μL of buffer AE directly to the membrane.
  xx.        Incubate samples for 5 minutes at room temperature.
xxi.        Place your tubes in a balanced configuration in a microcentrifuge, with cap hinges pointing outward. Centrifuge 1 minute at ≥6000 x g (8000 rpm).
xxii.        Discard spin column but keep your 1.5-mL microcentrifuge containing the eluted DNA.

·         Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Reagents:
Shared Supplies and Equipment:

Appropriate primer/loading dye mix (25 µL)* per reaction

DNA from specimen(s) (from part II)*

1 Ready-To-Go PCR Bead in 0.2- or 0.5-mL PCR tube per reaction or NEB Taq 2X Master Mix (12.5 µL)* per reaction

*Store on ice


Container with cracked or crushed ice

Microcentrifuge tube rack

Micropipettes and tips (1-100 µL )

Permanent marker

Thermal cycler


      i.        Obtain PCR tube containing Ready-To-Go PCR Bead. Label the tube with your identification number.
    ii.        Use a micropipette with a fresh tip to add 23 µL of one of the following primer/loading dye mixes (for Ready-To-Go PCR Beads) to each tube. Allow the beads to dissolve for 1 minute.
Ñ       Vertebrate (non-fish): COI primers (VF1_t1/ VF1d_t1/ VF1i_t1 / VR1d_t1/ VR1_t1/ VR1i_t1)
Ñ       Invertebrate cocktail: COI primers (LCO1490/ HC02198)
   iii.        Use a micropipette with fresh tip to add 2 µL of your DNA directly into the appropriate primer/loading dye mix. Ensure that no DNA remains in the tip after pipetting.
   iv.        Place the PCR tube in a thermal cycler that has been programmed with the appropriate PCR protocol.
Vertebrate (non-fish) cocktail
(VF1_t1/ VF1d_t1/ VF1i_t1/
VR1d_t1/ VR1_t1/ VR1i_t1)
Initial step: 94°C    1 minute
35 cycles of the following profile:
o    Denaturing step: 94°C    15 seconds
o    Annealing step: 54°C    15 seconds
o    Extending step: 72°C    30 seconds
One final step to preserve the sample: 4°C ad infinitum
Invertebrate cocktail
(LCO1490/ HC02198)
Initial step: 94°C    1 minute
35 cycles of the following profile:
o    Denaturing step: 95°C    30 seconds
o    Annealing step: 50°C    30 seconds
o    Extending step: 72°C    45 seconds
One final step to preserve the sample: 4°C ad infinitum
·          
Gel Electrophoresis:

Reagents:
Supplies and Equipment:

2% agarose in 1x TBE (hold at 60°C) (50 mL per gel)

pBR322/BstNI marker (20 µL per gel)*

PCR products

SYBR Green DNA stain(6 µL per group)

1x TBE buffer (300 mL per gel)

*Store on ice


Container with cracked or crushed ice

Digital camera or photodocumentary system

Gel-casting tray and comb

Gel electrophoresis chamber and power supply

Latex gloves

Masking tape

Microcentrifuge tube rack

3 Microcentrifuge tubes (1.5 mL)

Micropipette and tips (1–100 µL)

Microwave

UV transilluminator and eye protection

Water bath for agarose solution (60°C)


      i.        Seal the ends of the gel-casting tray with masking tape, or other method appropriate for the gel electrophoresis chamber used, and insert a well-forming comb.
    ii.        Pour the 2% agarose solution into the tray to a depth that covers about one-third the height of the comb teeth.
   iii.        Allow the agarose gel to completely solidify; this takes approximately 20 minutes.
   iv.        Place the gel into the electrophoresis chamber and add enough 1x TBE buffer to cover the surface of the gel.
    v.        Carefully remove the comb and add additional 1x TBE buffer to fill in the wells and just cover the gel, creating a smooth buffer surface.
   vi.        Use a micropipette with a fresh tip to transfer 5 µL of each PCR product to a fresh 1.5mL microcentrifuge tube. Add 2 µL of SYBR Green DNA stain to tube.
  vii.        Add 2 µL of SYBR Green DNA stain to 20 µL of pBR322/BstNI marker.
viii.        Orient the gel, so that the wells are along the top of the gel. Use a micropipette with a fresh tip to load 20 μL of pBR322/BstNI size marker into the far left well.
   ix.        Use a micropipette with a fresh tip to load each sample from Step 6 in your assigned wells.
    x.        Run the gel for approximately 30 minutes at 130V. Adequate separation will have occurred when the cresol red dye front has moved at least 50 mm from the wells.
   xi.        View the gel using UV transillumination. Photograph the gel using a digital camera or photodocumentary system.
·         Cycle Sequencing:
Fluorescent dyes are added to the reactions, and a laser within an automated DNA sequencing machine is used to analyze the DNA fragments produced.

****************************************
RESULTS:
The samples will be collected at the sampling area, for a total of 5 times, from 10 different spots in the sampling area. From each sample collected, DNA sequencing will be carried out, and will be profiled to see if there are any matches in GenBank, and will be repeated for each sample in different months. The purpose is to determine if all samples are of the same species, or if they are different species. At the end of the research, we will have a complete compilation of DNA sequences of Cerithidea obtusa along the mangrove areas of Parit Keroma, Muar, Johor. 

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DISCUSSION

The results of this study will be restated and evaluated in light of the initial hypotheses. If the results are as predicted, there will be a unique species of Cerithidea obtusa living in the coasts of Parit Keroma, Muar, Johor, profiled in GenBank and BOLD. Limitations of the current research will be identified, along with suggestions for how future research can build upon the findings of the current study. Finally, the results and importance of this study will be summarized.


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REFERENCES:
1.    Brenda Hookham, Aileen Tan Shau-Hwai, Benoit Dayrat & William Hintz (2014). A baseline measure of tree and gastropod biodiversity in replanted and natural mangrove stands in Malaysia: Langkawi Island and Sungai Merbok. Tropical Life Sciences Research, 25 (1), 1-12.
2.    Cheng W. H. & Yap C. K. (2015). Potential human health risks from toxic metals via mangrove snail consumption and their ecological risk assessments in the habitat sediment from Peninsular Malaysia. Chemosphere. 2015 Sep;135:156-65. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.04.013. Epub 2015 May 15.

3.    Cob Z. C., Samat A., Muda W. M. L. W., & Mazlan A. G. (2012). Preliminary checklist of marine invertebrate fauna within the intertidal of Teluk Penyabong and Teluk Gorek, Mersing, Johor, Malaysia. Journal of Tropical Marine Ecosystem 1, 1-14.

4.    David A. Micklos, Bruce Nash & Uwe Hilgert. Genome Science: A Practical and Conceptual Introduction to Molecular Genetic Analysis in Eukaryotes. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

5.    Franklin Berandah anak Edward Thomas (2009). An Assessment of Metal Distribution and Metal Soluble Fractions in the Edible Molluscs from Malaysia.

6.    Hafizul Haque & Amalesh Choudhury (2014). Radula Morphology In Cerithidea Obtusa (Lamarck, 1822) (Gastropoda: Potamiddiae) From Sundarbans. International Journal of Engineering Science Invention. ISSN (Online): 2319-6734. ISSN (Print): 2319-6726.

7.    Harinder Rai Singh (2012). Biodiversity - mangroves & gastropods. Marine Biodiversity Expedition 2012.

8.    I. Faridah Hanum, A. Latiff, Khalid Rehman Hakeem & Munir Ozturk (2012). Mangrove Ecosystems of Asia. Status, Challenges and Management Strategies
.
9.    Kumar Krishnan, Elias Saion, Halima M. K., Yap C. K. & Muhd Suhaimi Hamzah (2014). Distributions of heavy metal in the surface sediments of mangrove from west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management. Volume 3, Issue 7. ISSN 2319-4847.

10. Reid D. G., Dyal P., Lozouet P., Glaubrecht M., Williams S. T. (2008) Mudwhelks and mangroves: The evolutionary history o an ecological association (Gastropoda: Potamididae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 47: 680-699.

11. Sri Purwaningsih (2012). Antioxidant Activity and Nutrient Composition of Matah Merah Snail (Cerithidea Obtusa). Ilmu Kelantan Maret 2012. Vol. 17 (1) 39-48. ISSN 0853-7291.

12. Sukarno Wagiman. Imposeks dalam Siput Haliah, Thais sp. sebagai penunjuk biologi pencemaran tributil tanah di Perairan Semenanjung Malaysia.

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