Browse publications by year: 2017

  1. Sirunyan AM, Tumasyan A, Adam W, Ambrogi F, Asilar E, Bergauer T, et al.
    Eur Phys J C Part Fields, 2017;77(10):710.
    PMID: 31999279 DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-017-5267-x
    A search for new phenomena is performed using events with jets and significant transverse momentum imbalance, as inferred through the M T 2 variable. The results are based on a sample of proton-proton collisions collected in 2016 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with the CMS detector and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb -1 . No excess event yield is observed above the predicted standard model background, and the results are interpreted as exclusion limits at 95% confidence level on the masses of predicted particles in a variety of simplified models of R-parity conserving supersymmetry. Depending on the details of the model, 95% confidence level lower limits on the gluino (light-flavor squark) masses are placed up to 2025 (1550) GeV . Mass limits as high as 1070 (1175) GeV are set on the masses of top (bottom) squarks. Information is provided to enable re-interpretation of these results, including model-independent limits on the number of non-standard model events for a set of simplified, inclusive search regions.
  2. Munsour EE, Awaisu A, Hassali MAA, Darwish S, Abdoun E
    J Pharm Technol, 2017 Aug;33(4):128-136.
    PMID: 34860991 DOI: 10.1177/8755122517706978
    Background:The readability and comprehensibility of the patient information leaflets (PILs) provided with antidiabetic medications are of questionable standards; this issue negatively affects adherence to drug therapy, especially in patients with limited literacy skills. Objective: To evaluate the readability and comprehensibility of PILs supplied with medications used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Qatar. Methods: All PILs of the antidiabetic medications in Qatar were evaluated using the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) score for readability. The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning-Fog Index, and SMOG Grading were used to estimate the comprehensibility of PILs in terms of school grade levels. Results: A total of 45 PILs were evaluated: 32 (71.1%) PILs of brand-name products and 13 (28.9%) for generics. Nine (20%) of the PILs were in English only; 8 (17.8%) were in English, Arabic, and French; and 28 (62.2%) were in English and Arabic. The mean FRE score was 37.71 (±15.85), and the most readable PIL had FRE score of 62. The mean scores for the comprehensibility evaluations were 10.96 (±2.67), 15.02 (±2.52), and 11.41 (±1.6) for the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning-Fog Index, and SMOG Grading, respectively. The most commonly used antidiabetic medication was metformin with 1372.9 (±552.9) as PILs' mean number of words. Conclusion: Only 2.2% of PILs had acceptable readability scores. All PILs could be comprehended by at least an 11th grade student, which exceeds the recommended grade level for health-related materials. Approximately 20% of these PILs were in English only and were not readable by most patients.
  3. Jayaraj VJ, Baharaja D, Gopalakrishnan N, Kaco Y
    Malariaworld J, 2017;8:16.
    PMID: 34532239
    Background: Tawau was the epicentre of malaria infections in the 1970-1990's, when industrialisation swept across the state of Sabah, Malaysia. Since then, effective public health intervention, mainly the Malaria Elimination Programme, introduced in 1998, has seen the disease shrivel down into its final elimination phase. Here we retrospectively analyse the case of a 63 year old male with multiple comorbidities who had no exposure to localities with high risk of infection- thus raising the question regarding the means of transmission.

    Materials and methods: Multiple interviews and an entomological survey were conducted to elucidate the possible mechanism of infection in this patient.

    Results: Findings point to locally-transmitted malaria, likely introduced by a patient from an endemic region in Tawau. Transmission via this route is rare, and has never before been reported in our setting.

    Conclusions: This rare case highlights the need for constant vigilance in malaria control and elimination, especially when the target of country-wide elimination is close.

  4. Malaysian Pharmacists Society
    MyJurnal
    Event: 13th MPS USM Pharmacy Scientific Conference 2017 Date: 3-5 November 2017 Venue: Bayview Beach Hotel, Batu Ferringhi, Penang
  5. Shafie AA
    MyJurnal
    This study aimed to assess the adequacy of EQ-5D-5L in defining health as perceived by Malaysians
    using a mixed methodology approach. Potential additional dimensions (i.e. bolt-on items) to supplement
    the current instrument were also explored. This study was carried out in two phases. In phase one, focus
    group discussions (N = 6-8 in each group) were employed to gauge the perception of Malaysians on the
    dimensions deemed important additions to the EQ-5D-5L instrument. Phase two involved further
    validation of bolt-ons to the EQ-5D-5L using a cross-sectional survey of 100 general public in Penang,
    Malaysia. A total of 11 bolt-ons were identified from phase 1. These bolt-ons were sleep, vitality,
    happiness, close relationships, stress, mental abilities, social support, religion, vision, hearing, and
    speaking. In phase 2, the bolt-ons of ‘vitality’ and ‘stress’ stood out with 70% (n=70) and 64% (n=64)
    participants reported facing most problems with, respectively. Both phases of study suggest that
    additional dimensions for the existing EQ-5D-5L instrument may be useful to better capture the HRQoL
    among Malaysians. Larger scale study is warranted to further validate the bolt-ons identified in this
    study.
  6. Mohd Hafiz Abu Hassan, Syaza Azhari, Muhammad Anas Yuzairi Mohd Yusri
    MyJurnal
    Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are a highly versatile compound to be used in sensing components due to their unique physicochemical and optical properties. Due to its flexibility for surface conjugation, glutathione disulfide-linked gold nanoparticle (AuNP-GSSG) was produced in this study to assess its sensing performance as a colorimetric sensor for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Spectroscopic characterization of AuNP-GSSG confirmed the conjugation of GSSG onto the surfaceofAuNPs.AuNP-GSSGalsoshowedhighsensoryperformancewithgoodlinearityandlowdetectionlimit.However,due to the high percentage of interference, usage of AuNP-GSSG as an HCG sensor requires further pre-treatment step to reduce the interference and increase the sensoraccuracy.
  7. Siti Mahera Ahmat Amin
    MyJurnal
    Small medium enterprise nowadays has become the larger enterprise nightmare by the mushrooming of social media marketing. This tool has become the new trend for a small business which will help them to expand the business networking. When social media marketing and businesses are being combined, they will be undefeatable. However, for the Japan SMEs, there are still lacks of confidence in using social media for the business operation. This research paper analysed the overwhelming power of social media marketing for the business purpose which proven the business performance also affected. The quantitative research data was gathered in this study with the aid of a questionnaire. Twenty five questionnaires were sent to the people that working in SMEs in Japan through the email list which was given by researcher’s friend in Japan. Another twenty five respondents were gathered from Malaysia via email as well. The results of the questionnaire revealed the major potential of social media in enhancing business performance of SMEs. The author recommends that every management of SMEs reevaluate their practices in handling social media for business either in Malaysia or in Japan, and begin developing guideline for the employees in handling social media matters.
  8. Siti Zubaidah Ramli, Muslihah Mazlan, Zanariah Aripin, Marina Abdul Manap, Noraini Abdol Raop
    MyJurnal
    Tourism industry in Malaysia has become one of the priorities as significant income contribution to the state. The development of the tourism industry, also contributed to Islamic tourism. This paper aims to discuss important aspects in Islamic tourism and the relationship with job opportunities in Malaysia. Islamic tourism is tourism activities based on Sharia law and Islamic values where it involves Muslims and non-Muslim tourists to the place or the Islamic State. This tour offers some hospitality products and services that are Sharia-compliance such as providing halal-friendly hotels, Islamic financial services, halal transportation services, Islamic travel packages, halal food and halal standard. Offering hospitality products and services offered indirectly created employment opportunities in Malaysia especially to produce experts in the halal industry in consistent with Rancangan Malaysia Ke-11.
  9. Nor Wazirah Radzman Shah, Azlina Muhammad, Sabariah Mohamad, Harlina Suzana Jaafar,
    MyJurnal
    The emergence of Halal industry in Malaysia has a positive relation with Supply Chain Management. Logistics activities play a significant role as one of the important element throughout the supply chain process. In logistics activities, those industry players that were involved in the process are the manufacturers/suppliers, the mode of transportation, the storage/warehouse, the clients/customers and the third-party logistics (3PL) or sometimes known as the logistics service providers (LSP). This study attempts to review the surface of implementing Halal transportation providers especially for the Halal food industry in Malaysia. According to Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC, 2009), among the elements of controlling ‗Halal‘ in logistics activities is monitoring Halal performances in transportations activities that should comply with the Shariah principle. Malaysia has all the necessary infrastructure that aid the growth of the Halal industry, the concern lies in the operational practice by industry players in understanding the knowledge and related issues pertaining to the Halal supply chain in order to stay competitive in the growing business market.
  10. Amey Rozalina Azeman, Nurul Farhana Mohd Raduan, Nur Farhana Othman,
    MyJurnal
    A balanced diet is a vital for the survival function of the body and health. This research topic is building block of three independent variables which is thefood prices, knowledge of food and food quality. Therefore, this study aimed to discuss eating habits among students of Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka and their perception of proper nutrition intake. This study involved 201 respondents consisting of students of Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka from all faculties. The study is quantitative and analyzed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. The results of the analysis shows the most respondents have a good knowledge and awareness about the proper nutrient intake and health.
  11. Siti Suryati Bahari, Ismail Idris
    MyJurnal
    Food and beverage is one of the important things in hospitality and tourism industry Through a variety of food can showcase ethnic and cultural diversity throughout the world. Some questions about diners is the quality of service, price, and the environment. This study discusses the factors affecting customer satisfaction restaurants along Pengkalan Balak to Kuala Linggi, Melaka. This study was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23.0, descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation and regression.
  12. Dziatul Nadiah Dzia-Uddin
    MyJurnal
    Hospitality and tourism in Malaysia is growing as one of the major revenue contributor to the country's economy and moving in line with vision to make Malaysia as a high-income country. Overall, this achievement was due to effective tourism activities that have been planned by Malaysia Ministry of Tourism until this industry became steady. Hotel industry plays a vital role as complement to tourism as it provides accommodation to tourists. Nowadays, in an increasingly competitive global economy make hotel industry became very competitive especially in the big cities such as in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In order to compete with other competitors, the hotel management needs to find ways and acts fast in order to make its hotel to be the best hotel in terms of satisfying the guests as well as the employees. One of the ways is by adopting empowerment because this approach can allow the employees to fulfill all guests’ needs and wants, and at the same time the employees will have the feeling of ownership. This study attempts to investigate the influence between psychological empowerment dimensions (meaning and self-determination) and motivation and the implication on employees job performance.
  13. Nurul Liyana Hussin, Mohd Iskandar Mohd Salleh
    MyJurnal
    This article examines the efforts of an Islamic hotel in branding Malaysia as an Islamic Tourism Hub. The researcher chooses one of Syariah compliance hotel which is ABC Hotel located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor that will concentrate on level of satisfaction among customers by services provided. Based on strategic management tools ABC Hotel has potential to provide service quality that will meet customer satisfaction. The results provide insights on to what extent the services provided by hotel satisfied the patrons who patronage the hotel. In conclusion, it can be summed that generally customers are satisfied with the service quality rendered by ABC Hotel. Nevertheless, there are still areas for improvement to strengthen and increase the service quality delivered. Thus, this result shows that there will be positive impact towards promoting Malaysia as Islamic Tourism Hub. Proposed strategies include increasing promotion efforts through strategic alliance and exhibitions, new services to customers such as package tour, enhance the promotion in cloud computing like social networking and promotion channel such as Booking.com and provide intensive training to hotel staff to increase their efficiency in handling the task. Specifically, these strategies will help Syariah compliance hotel improve the services provided and promoting Malaysia as an Islamic Tourism Hub in general.
  14. AHMED, ABUBAKAR, MURTALA MUHAMMAD
    MyJurnal
    Despite the reported limitations of the qualitative research in comparison to other methodologies, we contend that the common criticisms against it are too often using criteria explicitly analogous to quantitative reasoning. We critically analysed the reported limitations of qualitative research in the literature to deconstruct the conflicting discourses that enable an understanding of their subjectivity. Also, we provide a philosophical justification that both qualitative and quantitative methodologies are appropriate for studying a different form of reality. Lincoln and Guba’s four principles for determining the quality of qualitative research rigour along with confirmability, transferability, credibility and dependability are deemed appropriate rather than the commonly employed internal and external validity, reliability and objectivity. Finally, we argued that a widespread use of a different standard for judging the quality of qualitative research consequential to its philosophical stance is the panacea for the unfair criticisms in the future.
    MeSH terms: Problem Solving; Publications; Reference Standards; Reproducibility of Results; Qualitative Research
  15. NURUL HIDAYAH ZULKIPLI, SURIA BABA
    MyJurnal
    The problem in analysing qualitative study is regularly highlighted when it comes to data analysis process. Unlike quantitative data that deals with numerical and statistical issues, analysing qualitative data requires the researcher to deal with understanding human experiences and interpreting the data. Therefore, validity and reliability of the analysis are often questioned and becomes a challenge in analysing data from qualitative research. The objective of this writing is to highlight some of the challenges and strengths in the qualitative research process. Validity, reliability, and credibility are among the challenges in analysing qualitative study. Rigor in conducting data collection helps in overcoming the problem in validity, reliability and credibility. In addition, in-depth understanding and triangulation techniques such as interview, document analysis and observation used in qualitative researches are among the strengths for qualitative study.
    MeSH terms: Biometry; Data Collection; Humans; Research Design; Writing; Reproducibility of Results; Qualitative Research
  16. NURUL ASIKIN ISMAIL, MOHHIDIN OTHMAN, M. SHAHRIM AB KARIM
    MyJurnal
    This study was conducted to identify the practices of Malay chefs in preparing traditional Malay dishes at hotels in the Klang Valley. In addition, this study aimed to identify the level of knowledge and practices of these chefs with regard to traditional cooking and to analyse how the knowledge could be passed on to the younger generation of Malay chefs. In reality, these practices and traditions which include the practices in food preparation, skills and cooking techniques to maintain the authenticity and sustainability of the traditional Malay cuisine are slowly being neglected, especially among those in the hotel industry. The younger generation of Malay chefs no longer seems to take pride in the traditional way of cooking. In addition, the use of processed food in Malay kitchens is very common today. In order to achieve the aims of the study, a qualitative research was conducted. Chefs at various hotels in the Klang Valley were interviewed to determine their current practices. The findings showed that the techniques of cooking traditional Malay foods have been tainted with modern culinary techniques due to a lack of exposure and knowledge in traditional Malay cuisine. In general, traditional cooking methods are viewed as outdated, obsolete and not in accordance to modernisation. By conforming to the style of cooking with modern equipment and technology, this has indirectly altered the prevailing practices of the traditional food preparation in hotels.
    MeSH terms: Cooking; Family Characteristics; Maintenance; Malaysia; Social Behavior; Technology; Qualitative Research; Fast Foods
  17. MOHD SAID NURUMAL
    MyJurnal
    This qualitative descriptive study, underpinned by naturalistic inquiry, explored the prehospital emergency medical service response time in Klang Valley by providing an in-depth information of the phenomenon. In this study, various levels of health care personnel participated in focus group discussion and semi-structured interview. The staff members consisted of many levels of category from the lower ranks up to the higher level administrative officers. Content analysis was employed in analysing all data. Every one of the key informants was aware of the importance of making immediate responses to each ambulance call received. They shared their thoughts, experiences, and challenges in achieving the ideal response time in line with international recommendations. There were five categories of issues that emerged and challenges that arose from delays in response time, namely, 1) insufficient key information; 2) inconsistent information leading to delayed arrival of ambulance; 3) traffic condition causing delay in ambulance speed; 4) lack of resources contributing to an increase in workload; and, 5) unassertiveness in the attitude of members of staff. The findings have provided an answer to the society with regard to the current pre-hospital emergency medical service issues related to delay in the service delivered. Thus, policy makers and pre-hospital health care service providers should develop a strategic action plan by focusing on these findings to reduce the response time of ambulance call.
    MeSH terms: Administrative Personnel; Ambulances; Emergency Service, Hospital; Health Resources; Hospitals; Humans; Reaction Time; Workload; Focus Groups; Qualitative Research
  18. LILY LIM, ZABIDAH PUTIT, CHANG CHING THON
    MyJurnal
    A qualitative study was conducted to assess the nursing students’ experiences of their clinical practice at one public university in Sarawak, Malaysia. Purposive sampling was used to recruit nine undergraduate nursing degree students at a medical faculty. An in-depth interview based on an open-ended questionnaire was used to collect data. The open-ended questionnaire was used to assess the students’ expectation, feelings, challenging experiences related to work culture, knowledge and skills in patient care, teaching learning supports, people interpersonal relationship, students’ role and their coping mechanism in clinical practice. Data were analysed using content analysis approach facilitated by Nvivo software (Version 8.) The themes emerged from the data analysis included (a) Gaining insight into the reality of clinical working environment and (b) challenges. The subthemes illustrated the students’ challenges were interpersonal relationship with people at the work place, different ward environment, theorypractice gap and insufficient clinical practice, and anxiety. The participants also reported experiencing anxiety due to challenges; however, after a period of time, they learnt to cope with them. The students were able to use different coping mechanism such as internal and external motivation, and this increased their confidence as they progressed in their learning. The learning difficulties faced by nursing students during clinical placement show that a supportive learning environment is important. This study proposed practical strategies to empower students in clinical learning and increase their self-esteem and confidence. In order to improve quality of students’ clinical education, adequate and effective work collaboration between nursing education and health care services are recommended. Future research should focus on how to create a supportive clinical learning environment in local setting
    MeSH terms: Adaptation, Psychological; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Delivery of Health Care; Education, Nursing; Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; Emotions; Faculty, Medical; Patient Care; Humans; Learning; Malaysia; Motivation; Surveys and Questionnaires; Software; Students, Nursing; Universities; Workplace; Qualitative Research
  19. Liu J, Soo Yun Tan C, Lan Y, Scherman OA
    J Polym Sci A Polym Chem, 2017 Sep 15;55(18):3105-3109.
    PMID: 28931970 DOI: 10.1002/pola.28667
    The success of exploiting cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n])-based molecular recognition in self-assembled systems has sparked a tremendous interest in polymer and materials chemistry. In this study, polymerization in the presence of host-guest complexes is applied as a modular synthetic approach toward a diverse set of CB[8]-based supramolecular hydrogels with desirable properties, such as mechanical strength, toughness, energy dissipation, self-healing, and shear-thinning. A range of vinyl monomers, including acrylamide-, acrylate-, and imidazolium-based hydrophilic monomers, could be easily incorporated as the polymer backbones, leading to a library of CB[8] hydrogel networks. This versatile strategy explores new horizons for the construction of supramolecular hydrogel networks and materials with emergent properties in wearable and self-healable electronic devices, sensors, and structural biomaterials. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3105-3109.
  20. Wakamiya T, Tingek S, Okuyama H, Kiyoshi T, Takahashi JI
    Mitochondrial DNA B Resour, 2017 Jan 17;2(1):24-25.
    PMID: 33490434 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2016.1275847
    In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the cavity-nesting honeybee, A. koschevnikovi. The mitochondrial genome of A. koschevnikovi was observed to be a circular molecule of 15,278 bp and was similar to that of the other cavity-nesting honeybee species. The average AT content in the A. koschevnikovi mitochondrial genome was 84%. It was predicted to contain 13 protein-coding, 24 tRNA and two rRNA genes, along with one A + T-rich control region, besides three tRNA-Met repeats.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Bees; DNA, Mitochondrial; RNA, Transfer; Genes, rRNA; Genome, Mitochondrial
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