Browse publications by year: 2017

Editorial

Goh KL

JGH Open, 2017 Nov;1(3):81.
PMID: 30483540 DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12030
Fulltext Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for advanced liver cirrhosis: A case report

Rajaram R, Subramani B, Abdullah BJJ, Mahadeva S

JGH Open, 2017 Dec;1(4):153-155.
PMID: 30483553 DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12027

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplant may offer an alternative to liver transplantation in patients with end-stage liver disease. However, its efficacy remains uncertain. MSC was performed on a 50-year-old male with decompensated (Child-Turcotte-Pugh grade C) alcoholic liver cirrhosis due to an absence of donors for adult-deceased and living-related liver transplantation. Autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs were harvested from the patient and cultured using standard protocols. The MSCs were subsequently re-administrated into the liver via hepatic intra-arterial infusion on two separate occasions. After infusion, there was an improvement in biochemical parameters (serum total bilirubin, serum albumin), and a reduction of diuretic use for ascites for up to 8 weeks. However, all biochemical and clinical parameters deteriorated on long-term follow-up without any further infusions. The patient eventually succumbed to his disease. MSC transplantation may have a clinical benefit on adult patients with end-stage liver cirrhosis, but this appears to be transitory.

MeSH terms: Adult; Ascites; Bilirubin; Bone Marrow; Child; Diuretics; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infusions, Intra-Arterial; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic; Liver Function Tests; Male; Middle Aged; Serum Albumin; Liver Transplantation; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; End Stage Liver Disease
Fulltext The Effects of Mindfulness on Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Wong WP, Coles J, Chambers R, Wu DB, Hassed C

J Alzheimers Dis Rep, 2017 Dec 02;1(1):181-193.
PMID: 30480237 DOI: 10.3233/ADR-170031

Background: The current lack of an effective cure for dementia would exacerbate its prevalence and incidence globally. Growing evidence has linked mindfulness to cognitive and psychological improvements that could be relevant for mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Objective: To investigate whether mindfulness practice can improve health outcomes of MCI.
Methods: The study is the first longitudinal mixed-methods observational study with a one-year follow-up period, that customized an eight-week group-based mindfulness training program for older adults with MCI (n = 14). Measures included cognitive function, psychological health, trait mindfulness, adherence to mindfulness practice, and everyday activities functioning as assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and one-year follow-up. Repeated measures ANOVAs, Pearson's correlation analyses, and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed.
Results: The MCI participants showed significant improvements in cognitive function (p
Fulltext The importance of intership in Kolej Yayasan Pelajaran Johor towards culinary art students

Adibah Aishah Md Sahak, Sakeenah Mohd Reza, Melor Md Yunus

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(3):61-64.
MyJurnal

The higher learning institution especially private college is growing day by day with the variation of
course especially for the culinary art students. Culinary Arts is one area in Technical Vocational
Education and Training (TVET) where students need to adapt the real-world working as a chef besides
fundamental subject matter knowledge, techniques and hands-on skills for cooking in order to survive
in the industry. The course syllabus of culinary art is patterned to provide a stage for students who want
to be a chef in the future. This study is looking forward to find the importance of internship in Kolej
Yayasan Pelajaran Johor towards culinary art students. The internship is gradually enhancing the
student knowledge, confidence level and performance which enable them to be more confident when
coming back from internship. This positive indication and feedback may affect towards students,
lecturers, private institutional itself and Ministry of Higher Education.

MeSH terms: Cooking; Education, Special; Feedback; Industry; Internship and Residency; Students; Universities
Fulltext Factors influecing customer's trust in online shopping among executives in a bank

Nadiah Tasin

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(3):47-60.
MyJurnal

Having many advantages that traditional shopping lack of, online shopping is now enjoying its
predominance and rapid development in Malaysia. In many previous researches, focus has been found
in the relationship between consumer trust and its antecedents. The objective of this study is to
examine some factors affecting consumer trust in Malaysia as well as to investigate the relationship
between trust and purchasing decision. A questionnaire was distributed among bank employees of
CIMB Bank Berhad. Correlations and regressions were used in analyzing the data. This paper provides
evidence that trust in online shopping is built on information quality, online consumer review and site
quality. It also proves that trust contributes to the online purchasing decision.

MeSH terms: Consumer Behavior; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Research; Trust
Fulltext Culinary arts entrepreneurship: alternative student Diploma in Culinary Arts at Kolej Yayasan Pelajaran Johor in facing open market

Abdul Wafi Abdul Rahman, Yusmady Md Junus, Melor Md Yunus

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(3):27-34.
MyJurnal

The Open Market scenario provides high levels of unreliability to culinary arts graduates where they
are no longer promised a place in the hospitality and tourism sectors but rather to compete with
graduates from other fields for employment. Hence, the field of entrepreneurship is seen as an
alternative in building a career that can help in reducing the dumping of graduates in the job market in
line with the government's call encouraging more entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Therefore, this study is
aimed at identifying the tendency to entrepreneurship among students of the final year semester of the Diploma in Culinary Arts, Hospitality School and Tourism Kolej Yayasan Pelajaran Johor
(SHPKYPJ). Measurements for this study were based on surveys using questionnaire and data
collected by Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) Version 21.0. The results of the study
found that overall respondents have a high inclination towards entrepreneurship. If they are more
focused, encouragement and exposure are given to them, the probability that they become
entrepreneurs after graduation will be higher.

MeSH terms: Employment; Government; Malaysia; Occupations; Probability; Surveys and Questionnaires; Social Sciences; Students; Entrepreneurship
Fulltext Malaysian government initiative of information communication technology to disabled people

Nur Ajrun Khalid, Rohana Yusof

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(3):9-15.
MyJurnal

Information Communication Technology (ICT) is important to measure the development of the nation
and the people. Malaysia as a democratic nation has to deliver equal services to the people without any
boundaries and discrimination. Nowadays, knowledge of Information Communication Technology is
crucial and become one of the measurement tools to maximize work and task. Failure to catch up ICT
movement will cause digital divide, which is the phenomenon of gap exists between people who have
access to ICT and who did not have access. This paper aims to determine the government initiative in
terms of policy, law and regulations, infrastructure, support organization and training, whether it is
appropriate or inappropriate with the needs of disabled people.

MeSH terms: Communication; Government; Disabled Persons; Malaysia; Policy; Digital Divide
Fulltext Behavioral support for change: integration of planned organizational change model and theory of planned behaviour

Wan Baharudin Wan Mahmood, Khairuddin Idris, Bahaman Abu Samah, Zoharah Omar

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(3):1-8.
MyJurnal

Employees support during the implementation of planned organizational changes is important to ensure
successful change. Therefore, this study attempts to explain the phenomenon of behavioral support for
change by integrating Lewin's Three Steps Model and Theory of Planned Behaviour. The literature
review of planned organizational change models developed by previous researchers based on the Three
Steps of Lewin Change Model was undertaken before the change model for this study was developed which involved three phases of change namely motivation to change, commitment to change, and
behavioural support for change. Based on that model, the Theory of Planned Behaviour was used to
explain the relationship between the variables where perceived benefits of change (attitude), supervisor
support (subjective norms) and change self-efficacy (perceived behavioural control) was predicted to
influence commitment to change (behavioral intention), which in turn affects individual behaviour to
support change (behavior). Subsequently, this study proposes a conceptual model based on the latest
literature to be implemented in depth empirical studies to test the proposed model.

MeSH terms: Motivation; Organizational Innovation; Perception; Models, Organizational; Self Efficacy; Behavior Control; Intention
Fulltext The consequences of work-family conflict and the importance of social supports to reduce work-family conflict among employees

Noorfadhila Zakaria, Zanariah Ismail

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(2):25-30.
MyJurnal

Conflicts that occur due to overlap between work and family matters are important topics in today’s
organizational context. Work-family conflict can be defined as a form of role conflict where the
demands of work and family cannot be aligned in several ways. Some previous studies have mentioned
that work-family conflicts negatively affect individuals such as emotional fatigue that ultimately lead
to stress and disturb the psychological well-being. From that perspective, social support can help to
reduce the stressful experience that is caused by work-family conflicts and improve the psychological
well-being.
There are two elements of social support originating from (1) work domain support; such
as organization, supervisor and co-workers whereas, (2) non-work domain supports: can come from
spouse, family members and friends. Thus, these two elements of social support seemed to be
important elements to ease the burden of stressful experience among employees especially in workfamily
conflict.
Fulltext The behaviour patterns of youth through the awards program in Malaysia

Yasmin Yaccob, Mohd Ibrani Shahrimin Adam Assim

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(2):9-18.
MyJurnal

At the youth stage, they psychologically have their own strength which later will contribute to their self
potential. The Anugerah Remaja Perdana Rakan Muda (ARP) is a self development program which
prepares the youth in facing the adolescent and adulthood challenges and finds their own potentials. As
such, this study is to assess the youth’s social psychological construct which is the behaviour, as the
self development element in the ARP based on the Theory of the Planned Behaviour as the study
model. And, adapt the social psychology needs based on the youth potential development theory and
model which is in line with the needs of the youth today. Previous studies that have been conducted support these findings. Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) has been widely used in various studies to
predict the behaviour (Connere, Jones & Berg, 2010) in population include the youth (Baker
& White, 2010). The antecedent of the planned behaviour study focused on the formation of
attitudes in youth behaviour. This study has important implications to the theoretical, practical and
policy towards youth potential development program.
Fulltext Exploratory factor analysis of entrepreneurial behaviour among business owners in food processing industry

Askiah Jamaluddin, Laily Paim, Ma'rof Redzuan, Husniyah Abd. Rahim

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(2):1-8.
MyJurnal

The purpose of this paper is to identify the key domains of entrepreneurial behaviour among business
owner in food processing industry. The study utilized a deductive research design and quantitative
method. There are twenty-one statements about entrepreneurial behaviour to discover a core action
associated with entrepreneurial behaviour. An entrepreneurial behaviour is defined as small family
business strategic behaviour that captures specific entrepreneurial aspects (Walker and Brown, 2004).
In additions, it is the actions taken by the small business owner to achieve business performance
(Delmar, 1996). According to Kirkley (2015), entrepreneurial behaviour as self determined human
action is based on a specific set of values which the individual uses to make decisions about how to
behave in situations that a meaningful to their business. The questionnaires focused primarily on the
meaning of entrepreneurial behaviour as self-determination to be succeed in business. There were 70
respondents were selected by simple random sampling. The data were analysed by Exploratory Factor
Analysis (EFA) and categorised into relevant domains. The result shows four specific domains of
entrepreneurial behaviour business owner in food processing industry, namely, leadership, proactiveness,
committed and risk taking. The finding items to each of these domains are consistent with
the small family business perspective. The practical implication is the presence of the specific core
action associated with entrepreneurial behaviour. The business owner should employ the four core
action to sustain the business. The result of this study is importance to academician in small business
area, business advisor from government and non government sectors, and small family business owner.

MeSH terms: Commerce; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Food-Processing Industry; Government; Humans; Leadership; Surveys and Questionnaires; Risk-Taking; Personal Autonomy; Small Business
Fulltext Potential of small entrepreneurs to implement entrepreneurial skills using HRV Biofeedback

Nazrolnizah Mohamad Noorzeli, Muhammad Nubli Abdul Wahab

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(1):66-77.
MyJurnal

The ability to enhance the entrepreneurial skills of small entrepreneurs is the key factor to the increase
in business. Nevertheless, previous literature showed that there is less current study which focused on
the methods to improve entrepreneurial skills using Biofeedback techniques among entrepreneurs in
Malaysia. Thus, this study was aimed to: 1) Identifying the demographic background of small
entrepreneurs, 2) Identify management capabilities among entrepreneurs in entrepreneurial skills and 3) Identify the profile of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) among small entrepreneurs through increased the
HF coherence. A total of 50 respondents of small entrepreneurs were recruited in this study. The data
collected involved a questionnaire survey with participants, profit and sales analysis and analysis of
HRV. Statistical correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between entrepreneurial
skills and business insights from the point of HRV. The finding shows that there is a very strong
relationship between the increases in entrepreneurial skills from an increase in business with the profile
of HRV among participants with the score of 0.80-1.00. This showed that HRV Biofeedback training
technique is appropriate to be used as an intervention program to increse entrepreneurship skills among
small entrepreneurs in Malaysia.

MeSH terms: Behavior Therapy; Biofeedback, Psychology; Commerce; Demography; Heart Rate; Malaysia; Surveys and Questionnaires; Entrepreneurship
Fulltext The effectiveness of Dalcroze Music Approach in enhancing musical coordination skill among year 4 students in urban area

Md Jais Ismail

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(1):54-65.
MyJurnal

This study is designed in qualitative form which focuses on musical coordination skill that is sing and
clapping rhythm simultaneously in meter . The researcher used one of music teaching method which
is Dalcroze Approach as an intervention in this study. Dalcroze Approach is a method which relates
musical concepts with movement. Research sample is among Year 4 students aged 10 years old from
different sex and race. Data have been collected through observation and interview. A comprehension
exam is conducted as a supplementary data collection. Findings show the students have achieved good
result in music coordination skill after the implementation of the Dalcroze Approach. Observation
revealed that all the students have increase their coordination skill in singing and clapping the rhythm simultaneously. Interview which is conducted on students found 60 percent of them are very confident
to do the skill as well. The result of comprehension exam shows 73 percent of students score A which
can be described as excellent. Researcher wish to have further study in developing the music
coordination skill by improving the intervention of the study.

MeSH terms: Data Collection; Movement; Music; Periodicity; Students; Comprehension; Singing
Fulltext Human capital development of Islamic perspective: impact to manager

Ab Aziz Yusof, Mutiara Dwi Sari

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(1):40-53.
MyJurnal

People are the main source in determining the glory of any country or organization. Therefore people
are the most precious capital of a country or organization and referred to as human capital. In any
organization, manager plays important role among available human capital. Manager actions will shape
the management of the organization and will lead the organization to achieve its goals. For Islamic
organization, implementation of Human Capital Development (PMI) based on a Western perspective, will considered as a less appropriate approach. This paper aims to develop a conceptual model of PMI
from an Islamic perspective. Furthermore, this paper aims to provide useful insights for managers or
policy makers in understanding how to do Islamization in their organization and what needs to be done
to ensure successful process of Islamization. This study will fill the gap of knowledge on PMI based
Islamic perspective which consider quite limited. Qualitative method using existing available literature
through content analysis was used in this study. The study showed that PMI based Islamic perspective
should be encompass by both physical and spiritual (mind and emotions) aspects. The development of
both aspects will able to generate taqwa human capital which characterized by amar ma’ruf nahi
mungkar, has a clear mission, tawazun, sakinah, moral dignity and mutual cooperation. As conclusion,
PMI based Islamic perspective will have implications for the training conducted in organizations which
should not only focus on the physical aspect, but also need to focus on the spiritual aspect.
Fulltext The financial status and factors affecting personal well-‐being among urban poor in Kuala Lumpur

Moga Dass T, Sabri MF

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(1):21-39.
MyJurnal

The main purpose of this study is to understand the financial status of urban poor community in Kuala Lumpur and factors affecting their personal well-being. The sampling size of this research is 1,064 respondents chosen by using systematic sampling method. The data was obtained by using selfadministered questionnaires and the data being analysed by descriptive analysis meanwhile and multi regression analysis. The results shows that the urban poor community in Kuala Lumpur are having a moderate level of financial literacy possess a less effective financial behaviour, experiencing a high financial strain and adapting a moderate level of personal well-being. Besides that, the results also indicates that the financial literacy has no influence on personal well-being of the urban poor community, meanwhile financial behaviour has a positive influence and financial strain has a negative influence on the personal well-being of the urban poor community. The findings of the study suggest the government and non-government organisation such as Economic Planning Unit ((EPU), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (KLCH or DBKL), Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM), Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (CCDM or AKPK), Federation of Consumer Association (FOMCA) to make an inclusive effort and approach to improve the personal well-being of the urban poor. By understanding more about the financial status of the urban poor community, it is hoped to help them to become financial prudence and in the long-run could lead them into a good decision making while facing conflicts in financial issues and maintain a good quality of life. It is important to ensure the urban poor consumers have better financial management skills which lead them to make the right decision in order to enhance their personal well-being.

MeSH terms: Literacy; Cities; Counseling; Decision Making; Financial Management; Government; Malaysia; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Regression Analysis
Fulltext Integration of entrepreneurship theories towards entrepreneurship development among students in Malaysia

Mohamad Izzuan Mohd Ishar, Mohd Khata Jabor

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(1):11-20.
MyJurnal

Entrepreneurship showed an increase in the popularity of business education, engineering education,
universities and educational institutions. All students who engage in entrepreneurial education has the
potential to develop their entrepreneurial skills and knowledge. However, the majority of
entrepreneurial education program focused on the exploitation of existing opportunities and assume
that these opportunities have been identified. Research on entrepreneurship also shows that efficiency
is often ignored or receive little attention while teaching entrepreneurship. This article was developed
to assist in improving the understanding of the concept of learning which supports entrepreneurship
and the development of entrepreneurial competence.

MeSH terms: Attention; Learning; Research; Schools; Students; Universities; Entrepreneurship
Fulltext Influence of psychosocial factors on student's academic performance in one of Nigerian colleges of education

Ali Garba Kolo, Wan Munira Wan Jaafar, Nobaya Ahmad

Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2017;2(1):1-10.
MyJurnal

This paper examined the influence of psychosocial factors on student’s academic performance. Selfadministered
questionnaire was applied as the method of data collection and a sample of 339 students’
from five faculties/schools in Potiskum College were chosen based on stratified and simple random
sampling techniques to complete the survey. After analyzing the data collected, Person’s correlation
coefficient reflected that, there was a positive and significant correlation between the all four variables:
students’ attitudes towards lecturers, academic self-efficacy, students’-lecturers’ interaction and
academic performance. Moreover, multiple regression analysis by using stepwise method was
conducted to estimate the prediction power of the independent variables on the dependent variable. The
finding indicated that only attitude and interaction could significantly predict students’ academic
performance by R2=65.6%. Meaning academic self-efficacy failed to predict academic performance in
present study. To conclude in this study, attitude and interaction are important factors in influencing
students’ academic performance positively in Potiskum College of education, Nigeria.
Fulltext An overview of meta-analysis in health science

Samia Amin, Sayed Mahmud Saiful Amin

Malaysian Journal of Medical Research, 2017;1(2):28-37.
MyJurnal

Meta-analysis is a subset of systematic review; a technique for systematically combining pertinent qualitative
and quantitative study data from numerous selected studies to broaden a single conclusion that has more
statistical power. This inference is statistically stronger than the analysis of any single study, due to increase
numbers of topics, greater variety amongst subjects, or collected effects and outcomes. The aim of this review
article is to highlight the definition, history, purpose, characteristics, use, advantage, disadvantage, validity,
and steps in conducting meta-analysis.

MeSH terms: Agriculture; Biometry
Fulltext Effectiveness of anti- hypertensive drugs in controlling blood pressure among Sri Lankan adults diagnosed with hypertension following medical check-up: a quasi-experimental study

Regidor-111 Dioso, Mohamed Janoof, Ahamed Lebbe Safrin Jeezan

Malaysian Journal of Medical Research, 2017;1(2):18-27.
MyJurnal

This study identied factors that contributed to the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs and investigated the
most effective antihypertensive drug in controlling blood pressure. The purposive sampling technique was
used in this quasi-experimental design to enroll study participants. Of the 120 hypertensive patients following
consultations at a district hospital of Oluvil, only 100 complied with the experiment. Following medical checkup,
it was investigated that hypertension were controlled within 3 months affected by age, and gender. Gender,
more probable were women, was primarily identied as a factor (p=0.002657); and age bracket of 30-40 years
old was also identied as a factor to had helped control blood pressure (p=0.002107). Hypertensive drugs such
as Calcium Channel Blockers (p=0.0008712), Angiotensin Receptor Antagonist (p=0.03983), and
Angiotensin Converting Enzymes Inhibitors (p=0.04719) at normal dosages controlled blood pressures
among Sri Lankan hypertensive patients.
Fulltext Karman Vortex Creation Using Cylinder for Flutter Energy Harvester Device

Atrah AB, Ab-Rahman MS, Salleh H, Nuawi MZ, Mohd Nor MJ, Jamaludin NB

Micromachines (Basel), 2017 Jul 21;8(7).
PMID: 30400418 DOI: 10.3390/mi8070227

This study presents the creation of a Karman vortex for a fluttering electromagnetic energy harvester device using a cylinder. The effects of two parameters, which are the diameter and the position of the cylinder, were investigated on the Karman vortex profile and the amplitude of the fluttering belt, respectively. A simulation was conducted to determine the effect of the creation of the Karman vortex, and an experiment was performed to identify influence of the position of the cylinder on the fluttering belt amplitude. The results demonstrated that vortex-induced vibration occurred at the frequency of the first natural mode for the belt at 3 cm and 10 cm for the diameter and position of the cylinder, respectively. Under such configuration, an electromagnetic energy harvester was attached and vibrated via the fluttering belt inside the turbulent boundary layers. This vibration provides a measured output voltage and can be used in wireless sensors.

MeSH terms: Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Equipment Design; Humans; Vibration; Physical Therapy Modalities; Electromagnetic Radiation

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