In this study, several types of Gigantochloa scortechinii bamboo strips were used as fillers in an unsaturated polyester matrix and characterized in term of their tensile and flexural properties. The strips were formed with the culm fiber composite with inner-to-outer layer thicknesses of 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, and 2.5 mm. The laminated bamboo strips composites were developed using the hand lay-up technique. The analysis was carried out using a 2- factor, 3- level design of experiment (DOE) and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine how the layer strip and the thickness of the bamboo affected the mechanical properties of the composites. It was proven that both the bamboo layer and the thickness demonstrated significantly different results in terms of the tensile and flexural performance. The overall results indicated that the middle layer of the laminated composite exhibited the highest tensile and flexural strength. (Rassiah K, Megat Ahmad MMH, Ali A, Tamizi MM. The Influence of Laminated Layer and Thickness Gigantochloa Scortechinii Bamboo Strips on Mechanical Performance of Unsaturated Polyester Composites.. Life Sci J 2015;12(2):182-188). (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com . 29

Although migrant workers represent a substantial proportion of Malaysia's workforce and are acknowledged as a major contributor to Malaysia's rapid economic growth strategy, the risk of increasing musculoskeletal disorders among migrant workers in Malaysia has been largely ignored. The present study reports findings from a study of 317 migrant workers from the manufacturing industry. The aims of the study were to: a) assess overall levels of musculoskeletal pain, b) examine whether physical environment conditions were associated with musculoskeletal pain, and c) identify whether workload and particular work patterns were associated with the reporting of musculoskeletal pain. Data were obtained through self-report questionnaires administered by means of a series of structured interviews and analysed using logistic regression and odds ratios. Results suggest that the overall levels of musculoskeletal pain were high, with over two thirds of the respondents reporting symptoms of musculoskeletal pain. In terms of physical environment conditions, the lack of reliability of machinery/equipment and exposure to dust posed an increased risk for musculoskeletal pain. Workload and various work patterns such as working long hours, night shift working and pressure to meet quotas all contributed to an increased risk of musculoskeletal pain. Prevention efforts should include a transition to more healthful and reasonable working hours, scheduling practices as well as general improvement in the physical environment of factory premises.

Improving safety performance by applying Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) into safety risk control has been adopted in major industry. This approach to prevent incident has a number of advantages. The aim of this paper is to identify the BBS awareness level among workers in manufacturing industry. The methodology of this paper is through quantitative research based on 53 respondents of registered Safety and Health Officers (SHO). The general finding shows that the knowledge level among respondents are higher than understanding and practices level. BBS covers elements of human, behaviour and environment factors. Human factor is influenced by knowledge and understanding of the workers while behaviour factors are influenced by culture and practises in a daily life. Environment refers to equipment, machinery, housekeeping, weather and temperature changes, and engineering. This study can become the reference model for future implementation in other organisation and as a guidance for better safety management.

A b s t r a c t K e y w o r d s Tasik Kenyir which is located in the South West of Terengganu, is known as the largest man-made lake in South East Asia. The lake covers an area of 202 hectare and is surrounded by a total of 4,975 hectares of tropical forest. Tasik Kenyir is a showcase of 340 islands. The islands on Tasik Kenyir are the tips of hilltops which were not submerged during the flooding process. Realizing the potential of Tasik Kenyir as an ecotourism site, the local Authority of Terengganu has declared Tasik Kenyir as an ecotourism zone and Pulau Tekak Besar will be developed as a rare fruits park by 2012. Plant surveys were conducted to document the plant diversity in this area before the development work began. The inventorization of the flora was carried out alon g three nature trails in Pulau Tekak Besar. The plants then identified and tagged for our documentation. As a result, 43 species of plants from 17 families were identified and collected. Vegetation in this island was dominated by the Dipterocarpaceae family, with Shorea being the dominant species with a total number of 380 trees. However, the species inventorized in this area resembles the ordinary lowland dipterocarp forest characteristic and no new plant species record documented. Flora diversity

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) extract at different concentrations on chemical characteristics of raw beef under frozen storage. Nutmeg extracts at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.65%, 1.25%, 2.50% and 5.00% (g/ml) were used to treat raw beef (2.5 × 2.5 × 1.0 cm; 4 ± 0.5 g) with dilution method. Treated samples were then individually packed in overwrapped trays and stored for 3 weeks at -18 ± 1 o C. The effects of the extract on the chemical characteristics such as lipid oxidation, colour, pH, moisture, fat, and protein content of raw beef were evaluated at 0, 4, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days of storage. Lipid oxidation was evaluated based on thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) content. Colour of beef was observed by spectrophotometer in colorimetic parameters CIELabs. Values of pH were measured using pH meter. Moisture, fat and protein content were determined using method by Analysis Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The result showed that extract at concentration of 1.25% inhibited TBARS value meaning that extract of 1.25% or more was able to maintain the oxidative stability of beef at -18 o C. A 1.25% of extract was also able to maintain the redness (a * ) of treated beef compared to untreated during frozen storage. The pH values of all samples beef decreased starting from 10 th day of storage. Untreated samples (0.00%) showed the lowest pH values compared to other treated samples at the end day of storage. There was no significant different in term of protein content in all treated or untreated samples. However, fat and moisture content were significantly affected by the concentration of nutmeg extract. Treated beef was able to retain its moisture with only loss of moisture ranging from 0.2% – 2.00% while untreated samples had 5.00% loss of moisture. The fat content of untreated samples (0.00%) showed a reduction of 0.2% of fat content at the end of storage compared to all treated sample with only loss of 0.1% - 0.05%. Overall, nutmeg extract can be used to maintain the chemical characteristics of raw beef during storage for 3 weeks.