Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 110 in total

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  1. Fulltext The bizzare phenomenon of smokers' paradox in the immediate outcome post acute myocardial infarction: an insight into the Malaysian National Cardiovascular Database-Acute Coronary Syndrome (NCVD-ACS) registry year 2006-2013
    Venkatason P, Salleh NM, Zubairi Y, Hafidz I, Ahmad WA, Han SK, et al.
    Springerplus, 2016;5:534.
    PMID: 27186498 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2188-3
    'Smoker's paradox' is a controversial phenomenon of an unexpected favourable outcome of smokers post acute myocardial infarction. There are conflicting evidences from the literature so far. We investigate for the existence of this phenomenon in our post acute myocardial infarction patients.
  2. The outcomes of patients with very small coronary artery disease treated with thin strut cobalt chromium bare metal stents: an observational study
    Ismail MD, Ahmad WA, Leschke M, Waliszewski M, Boxberger M, Abidin IZ, et al.
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):1668.
    PMID: 27730026
    Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in coronary artery disease (CAD) with very small vessel diameters remains controversial and challenging. These lesions are usually more diffuse, calcified and tortuous. The usage of thin strut bare metal stents (BMS) with excellent crossing profiles in a very small caliber coronary lesions has increased the likelihood of procedural success.
  3. Fulltext In vitro characterization of a chitosan skin regenerating template as a scaffold for cells cultivation
    Hilmi AB, Halim AS, Hassan A, Lim CK, Noorsal K, Zainol I
    Springerplus, 2013 Dec;2(1):79.
    PMID: 23503998 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-79
    Chitosan is a marine-derived product that has been widely used in clinical applications, especially in skin reconstruction. The mammalian scaffolds derived from bovine and porcine material have many limitations, for example, prion transmission and religious concerns. Therefore, we created a chitosan skin regenerating template (SRT) and investigated the behavior of fibroblast cell-scaffold constructs. Primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) were isolated and then characterized using vimentin and versican. HDF were seeded into chitosan SRT at a density of 3×10(6) cells/cm(2) for fourteen days. Histological analysis and live cells imaging revealed that the cell-chitosan constructs within interconnected porous chitosan showed significant interaction between the cells as well as between the cells and the chitosan. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed cells spreading and covering the pores. As the pore sizes of the chitosan SRT range between 40-140 μm, an average porosity is about 93 ± 12.57% and water uptake ratio of chitosan SRT is 536.02 ± 14.29%, it is a supportive template for fibroblast attachment and has potential in applications as a dermal substitute.
  4. Fulltext An evaluation and selection problems of OSS-LMS packages
    Abdullateef BN, Elias NF, Mohamed H, Zaidan AA, Zaidan BB
    Springerplus, 2016;5:248.
    PMID: 27064567 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-1828-y
    The evaluation and selection of inappropriate open source software in learning management system (OSS-LMS) packages adversely affect the business processes and functions of an organization. Thus, comprehensive insights into the evaluation and selection of OSS-LMS packages are presented in this paper on the basis of three directions. First, available OSS-LMSs are ascertained from published papers. Second, the criteria for evaluating OSS-LMS packages are specified.according to two aspects: the criteria are identified and established, followed by a crossover between them to highlight the gaps between the evaluation criteria for OSS-LMS packages and the selection problems. Third, the abilities of selection methods that appear fit to solve the problems of OSS-LMS packages based on the multi-criteria evaluation and selection problem are discussed to select the best OSS-LMS packages. Results indicate the following: (1) a list of active OSS-LMS packages; (2) the gaps on the evaluation criteria used for LMS and other problems (consisting of main groups with sub-criteria); (3) use of multi-attribute or multi-criteria decision-making (MADM/MCDM) techniques in the framework of the evaluation and selection of the OSS in education as recommended solutions.
  5. Fulltext The usability of ark clam shell (Anadara granosa) as calcium precursor to produce hydroxyapatite nanoparticle via wet chemical precipitate method in various sintering temperature
    Khiri MZ, Matori KA, Zainuddin N, Abdullah CA, Alassan ZN, Baharuddin NF, et al.
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):1206.
    PMID: 27516944 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2824-y
    This paper reported the uses of ark clam shell calcium precursor in order to form hydroxyapatite (HA) via the wet chemical precipitation method. The main objective of this research is to acquire better understanding regarding the effect of sintering temperature in the fabrication of HA. Throughout experiment, the ratio of Ca:P were constantly controlled, between 1.67 and 2.00. The formation of HA at these ratio was confirmed by means of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. In addition, the effect of sintering temperature on the formation of HA was observed using X-ray diffraction analysis, while the structural and morphology was determined by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy. The formation of HA nanoparticle was recorded (~35-69 nm) in the form of as-synthesize HA powder. The bonding compound appeared in the formation of HA was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy such as biomaterials that are expected to find potential applications in orthopedic and biomedical industries .
  6. The right of women in property sharing in Bangladesh: Can the islamic inheritance system eliminate discrimination?
    Khan I, Abdullah MF, Rahman NN, Nor MR, Yusoff MY
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):1695.
    PMID: 27757367
    This study seeks to discover the best solution for women's property sharing between Islamic and current social practices in Bangladesh. A qualitative method has been adopted to achieve this goal. It is found that the majority of the women are marginalised from their property in the social practice. On the other hand, in the Islamic solution, the property is fixed for all classes of women and is based on a property sharing system called fara'id that takes into account the roles and responsibilities of man and woman in the society. Men are responsible for providing maintenance to their wives and children. Men in Islamic society should bear expenditure related to marriage. The research concludes that the Islamic solution is fair and ensures just property sharing rights for women. It suggests that the Islamic solution for property sharing should be implemented to empower women in Bangladesh.
  7. Fulltext A review on high-resolution CMOS delay lines: towards sub-picosecond jitter performance
    Abdulrazzaq BI, Abdul Halin I, Kawahito S, Sidek RM, Shafie S, Yunus NA
    Springerplus, 2016;5:434.
    PMID: 27104122 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2090-z
    A review on CMOS delay lines with a focus on the most frequently used techniques for high-resolution delay step is presented. The primary types, specifications, delay circuits, and operating principles are presented. The delay circuits reported in this paper are used for delaying digital inputs and clock signals. The most common analog and digitally-controlled delay elements topologies are presented, focusing on the main delay-tuning strategies. IC variables, namely, process, supply voltage, temperature, and noise sources that affect delay resolution through timing jitter are discussed. The design specifications of these delay elements are also discussed and compared for the common delay line circuits. As a result, the main findings of this paper are highlighting and discussing the followings: the most efficient high-resolution delay line techniques, the trade-off challenge found between CMOS delay lines designed using either analog or digitally-controlled delay elements, the trade-off challenge between delay resolution and delay range and the proposed solutions for this challenge, and how CMOS technology scaling can affect the performance of CMOS delay lines. Moreover, the current trends and efforts used in order to generate output delayed signal with low jitter in the sub-picosecond range are presented.
  8. Fulltext Synthesis and optimization ring opening of monoepoxide linoleic acid using p-toluenesulfonic acid
    Salimon J, Abdullah BM, Yusop RM, Salih N, Yousif E
    Springerplus, 2013;2:429.
    PMID: 24083099 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-429
    Biolubricant base oils, 9,12-hydroxy-10,13-oleioxy-12-octadecanoic acid (HYOOA) was synthesized based on the esterification reaction of Monoepoxide linoleic acid 9(12)-10(13)-monoepoxy 12(9)-octadecanoic acid (MEOA) with oleic acid (OA) and catalyzed by p-Toluenesulfonic acid. The optimum conditions for the experiment using D-optimal design to obtain high yield% of 84.61, conversion% of 83.54 and lowest OOC% of 0.05 were predicted at OA/MEOA ratio of 0.2:1 (mol/mol), PTSA/MEOA ratio of 0.4:1 (mol/mol), reaction temperature at 110°C, and reaction time at 4.5 h. The FTIR peaks of HYOOA indicate the disappearance of the absorption band at 820 cm(-1), which belongs to the oxirane ring. (13)C and (1)H NMR spectra analyses confirmed the result of HYOOA with appearance carbon-ester (C = O) chemical shift at 174.1 ppm and at 4.06 ppm for (13)C and (1)H NMR respectively.
  9. Fulltext Biodegradation of different formulations of polyhydroxybutyrate films in soil
    Altaee N, El-Hiti GA, Fahdil A, Sudesh K, Yousif E
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):762.
    PMID: 27386248 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2480-2
    Petroleum polymers contribute to non-degradable waste materials and it would therefore be desirable to produce ecofriendly degradable materials. Biodegradation of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) in the presence of oligomer hydrolase and PHB depolymerase gave 3-hydroxybutyric acid which could be oxidized to acetyl acetate. Several bacteria and fungi can degrade PHB in the soil.
  10. Fulltext Are virtues national, supranational, or universal?
    van Oudenhoven JP, de Raad B, Timmerman ME, Askevis-Leherpeux F, Boski P, Carmona C, et al.
    Springerplus, 2014;3:223.
    PMID: 24855589 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-223
    Many studies investigated cultural differences in values, most notably by Hofstede and Schwarz. Relatively few have focused on virtues, a related and important concept in contemporary social science. The present paper examines the similarities and differences between nations, or blocks of - culturally related - nations on the perceived importance of virtues. Adults (N = 2.809 students) from 14 countries were asked to freely mention which virtues they found important to practice in daily life, and next to rate a list of 15 virtues, which reflect the most frequently mentioned categories in The Netherlands, as found in a previous study. The 14 nations included the United States, Mexico, nine European and three Asian nations. For the free-listed virtues, we compared the top-ten lists of most frequently mentioned virtues across the nations. We used a correspondence analysis on the frequency table to assess the relationships between the virtues and nations. For the 15 virtues ratings, a MANOVA, and follow-up ANOVA's were used to examine effects of nation, age, gender and religion. We found strong evidence for relationships between nations and blocks of culturally related nations and the importance attached to various virtues. There appear to be some country specific virtues, such as generosity in France, but also some relatively universal virtues, most notably honesty, respect, and kindness.
  11. Fulltext Gill monogeneans of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) from the wild and fish farms in Perak, Malaysia: infection dynamics and spatial distribution
    Lim SY, Ooi AL, Wong WL
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):1609.
    PMID: 27652182 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-3266-2
    Tilapia is one of the commercially important fish in Malaysia as well as in other parts of the world. An understanding of monogenean infection dynamics in tilapia fish may assist us in searching for some intervention measures in reducing the loss of fish caused by parasitic diseases. The present study aimed (1) to compare infection level of monogeneans between the wild and cultured Oreochromis niloticus, and between the cultured O. niloticus and cultured red hybrid tilapia, and (2) to examine the spatial distribution of monogenean species over the gills of the different host species. From a total of 75 fish specimens, six species of monogeneans from two genera: Cichlidogyrus (C. halli, C. mbirizei, C. sclerosus, C. thurstonae, C. tilapiae) and Scutogyrus (S. longicornis) were identified. Data showed that the infection level of cultured O. niloticus was higher than that of the wild O. niloticus, however, the former was lower than that of the cultured red hybrid tilapia. Higher species richness of monogeneans was observed in the cultured red hybrid tilapia as compared to the others. Results for spatial distribution showed that the monogeneans have no preference on the left or right sides of the gills. However, C. halli, C. mbirizei, and C. tilapiae showed preferences on specific gill arches in the cultured O. niloticus and red hybrid tilapia. In general, the gill arch IV harboured the least number of monogeneans. The susceptibility of monogenean infection between the different types of tilapia is discussed.
  12. Fulltext Formulation of Trichoderma sp. SL2 inoculants using different carriers for soil treatment in rice seedling growth
    Doni F, Isahak A, Che Mohd Zain CR, Mohd Ariffin S, Wan Mohamad WN, Wan Yusoff WM
    Springerplus, 2014;3:532.
    PMID: 25279323 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-532
    BACKGROUND: Trichoderma sp. SL2 has been previously reported to enhance rice germination, vigour, growth and physiological characteristics. The use of Potato Dextrose Agar as carrier of Trichoderma sp. SL2 inoculant is not practical for field application due to its short shelf life and high cost. This study focuses on the use of corn and sugarcane bagasse as potential carriers for Trichoderma sp. SL2 inoculants.

    FINDINGS: A completely randomized design was applied for this study. Trichoderma sp. SL2 suspension mixed with corn and sugarcane bagasse were used as treatment mixture in soil. Growth parameters including rice seedling height, root length, wet weight, leaf number and biomass were measured and compared to control. The results showed that Trichoderma sp. SL2 mixed with corn significantly enhanced rice seedlings root length, wet weight and biomass compared to Trichoderma sp. SL2 mixed with sugarcane bagasse and control.

    CONCLUSION: Corn can be a potential carrier for Trichoderma spp. inoculants for field application.

  13. Fulltext The use of paclitaxel coated balloon (PCB) in acute coronary syndrome of small vessel de novo lesions: an analysis of a prospective 'real world' registry
    Mahmood Zuhdi AS, Zeymer U, Waliszewski M, Spiecker M, Ismail MD, Boxberger M, et al.
    Springerplus, 2016;5:373.
    PMID: 27066381 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2014-y
    Paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) angioplasty in small vessel de novo lesions has favourable outcome and appears to be an alternative to stent implantation. However there is limitted data on its use specifically in small vessel acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
  14. Fulltext Is DVT prophylaxis necessary after oncology lower limb surgery? A pilot study
    Singh VA, Yong LM, Vijayananthan A
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):943.
    PMID: 27386387 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2441-9
    Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been independently associated with both malignant diseases and orthopaedic surgery. Therefore, orthopaedic oncology patients may be at a high risk for thromboembolic events. However, less emphasis is given to this group of patients compared to the patients undergoing total hip and knee replacement. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of DVT and their risk factors in patients undergoing orthopaedic oncology lower limb surgery without prophylaxis.
  15. Fulltext Impaired of a non-DNA dependent methylation status decides the fat decision of bone marrow-derived C3H10T1/2 stem cell
    Ali F, Ranneh Y, Ismail A, Vaes B
    Springerplus, 2013;2:590.
    PMID: 24294542 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-590
    A decrease in the lineage commitment of multipotent Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to the bone forming osteoblast lineage and an increase in the commitment to the fat forming adipocyte lineage is more common in bone marrow of elderly persons. A link between methylation status and MSC differentiation remains unclear. Therefore, we hypothesize that hypomethylation may decide the fate decisions of MSC. In the current study, murine bone marrow derived-C3H10T1/2 stem cell was used to examine the role of methylation mechanism on the differentiation potential of stem cells into osteoblasts or adipocytes. C3H10T1/2 cells were treated with Periodate oxidized adenosine (Adox), an inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine-dependent hydrolase (SAHH), which in turn block the non-DNA methylation pathway. The effect of hypomethylation on C3H10T1/2 stem cell differentiation was determined by measuring the alkaline phosphates activity and the degree of mineralization as well as Oil-red O staining and lipid content. The ratio of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) was determined as a metabolic indicator of cellular methylation potential. It was clearly observed that hypomethylation significantly (P 
  16. Fulltext What matters to infrequent customers: a pragmatic approach to understanding perceived value and intention to revisit trendy coffee café
    Ting H, Thurasamy R
    Springerplus, 2016;5:651.
    PMID: 27330917 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2259-5
    Notwithstanding the rise of trendy coffee café, little is done to investigate revisit intention towards the café in the context of developing markets. In particular, there is a lack of study which provides theoretical and practical explanation to the perceptions and behaviours of infrequent customers. Hence, the study aims to look into the subject matter by using the theory of reasoned action and social exchange theory as the underpinning basis. The framework proposed by Pine and Gilmore (Strat Leadersh 28:18-23, 2000), which asserts the importance of product quality, service quality and experience quality in a progressive manner, is used to decompose perceived value in the model so as to determine their effects on intention to revisit the café. Given the importance to gain practical insights into revisit intention of infrequent customers, pragmatism stance is assumed. Explanatory sequential mixed-method design is thus adopted whereby qualitative approach is used to confirm and complement quantitative findings. Self-administered questionnaire-based survey is first administered before personal interview is carried out at various cafés. Partial least squares structural equation modelling and content analysis are appropriated successively. In the quantitative findings, although product quality, service quality and experience quality are found to have positive effect on perceived value and revisit intention towards trendy coffee café, experience quality is found to have the greater effect than the others among the infrequent customers. The qualitative findings not only confirm their importance, but most importantly explain the favourable impressions they have at trendy coffee café based on their last in-store experience. While product and service quality might not necessary stimulate them to revisit trendy coffee café, experience quality driven by purposes of visit would likely affect their intention to revisit. As retaining customers is of utmost importance to businesses, and infrequent customers more than often make up the majority of the customers, the study provides meaningful and practical understanding of revisit intention.
  17. Fulltext SOX3 expression in the glial system of the developing and adult mouse cerebellum
    Cheah PS, Thomas PQ
    Springerplus, 2015;4:400.
    PMID: 26261758 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1194-1
    The cerebellum plays a vital role in equilibrium, motor control, and motor learning. The discrete neural and glial fates of cerebellar cells are determined by the molecular specifications (e.g. transcription factors) of neuroprogenitor cells that are influenced by local microenvironment signals. In this study, we evaluated the expression and function of Sox3, a single-exon gene located on the X chromosome, in the developing cerebellum.
  18. Fulltext Does psychological strengths and subjective well-being predicting parental involvement and problem solving among Malaysian and Indian students?
    Khan A, Ahmad R, Hamdan AR, Mustaffa MS, Tahir LM
    Springerplus, 2014;3:756.
    PMID: 25674482 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-756
    The present study examined the predictors of psychological strengths and subjective well-being for dealing with academic stress perceived by university engineering students. Sample of 400 Malaysian (N = 180 boys and N = 220 girls) age varies 18 to 25 years and 400 Indian students (N = 240 boys and N = 160 girls) age varies 18 to 25 years from public universities were participated. Quantitative method was used for data analysis. Findings shows that gender, religiosity and socioeconomic status are significantly influencing psychological strengths and subjective well-being of both Indian and Malaysian students. Findings also revealed that parental involvement and problem solving coping styles were significantly predicting psychological strengths and subjective well-being among both countries participants. Findings of the current study provide the insight for the educators, and parents dealing with adolescents.
  19. Fulltext The development and validation of a test of science critical thinking for fifth graders
    Mapeala R, Siew NM
    Springerplus, 2015;4:741.
    PMID: 26640753 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1535-0
    The paper described the development and validation of the Test of Science Critical Thinking (TSCT) to measure the three critical thinking skill constructs: comparing and contrasting, sequencing, and identifying cause and effect. The initial TSCT consisted of 55 multiple choice test items, each of which required participants to select a correct response and a correct choice of critical thinking used for their response. Data were obtained from a purposive sampling of 30 fifth graders in a pilot study carried out in a primary school in Sabah, Malaysia. Students underwent the sessions of teaching and learning activities for 9 weeks using the Thinking Maps-aided Problem-Based Learning Module before they answered the TSCT test. Analyses were conducted to check on difficulty index (p) and discrimination index (d), internal consistency reliability, content validity, and face validity. Analysis of the test-retest reliability data was conducted separately for a group of fifth graders with similar ability. Findings of the pilot study showed that out of initial 55 administered items, only 30 items with relatively good difficulty index (p) ranged from 0.40 to 0.60 and with good discrimination index (d) ranged within 0.20-1.00 were selected. The Kuder-Richardson reliability value was found to be appropriate and relatively high with 0.70, 0.73 and 0.92 for identifying cause and effect, sequencing, and comparing and contrasting respectively. The content validity index obtained from three expert judgments equalled or exceeded 0.95. In addition, test-retest reliability showed good, statistically significant correlations ([Formula: see text]). From the above results, the selected 30-item TSCT was found to have sufficient reliability and validity and would therefore represent a useful tool for measuring critical thinking ability among fifth graders in primary science.
  20. Fulltext The beta Burr type X distribution properties with application
    Merovci F, Khaleel MA, Ibrahim NA, Shitan M
    Springerplus, 2016;5(1):697.
    PMID: 27347471 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2271-9
    We develop a new continuous distribution called the beta-Burr type X distribution that extends the Burr type X distribution. The properties provide a comprehensive mathematical treatment of this distribution. Further more, various structural properties of the new distribution are derived, that includes moment generating function and the rth moment thus generalizing some results in the literature. We also obtain expressions for the density, moment generating function and rth moment of the order statistics. We consider the maximum likelihood estimation to estimate the parameters. Additionally, the asymptotic confidence intervals for the parameters are derived from the Fisher information matrix. Finally, simulation study is carried at under varying sample size to assess the performance of this model. Illustration the real dataset indicates that this new distribution can serve as a good alternative model to model positive real data in many areas.
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