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Fulltext Ziegler-nichols first tuning method for air blower PT326

Muhammad Hanihazaim Abd Halim, Mahanijah Md Kamal

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(104):259-268.
MyJurnal

In this work, two types of controller were designed for the nonlinear air blower system PT326 used at
the Instrumentation Laboratory Faculty Electrical Engineering, UiTM, Shah Alam. This work began with
collection of data from the experimental work. Once the S-shape of the system response was obtained,
the procedure of getting the process dead time, τD and time constant τC was applied to the S-shape form.
By determining these two values, the optimum values of PI and PID controllers can be calculated. From
the acquired data, the simulation model was developed in MATLAB/Simulink R2013a software using
the transfer function obtained from the open-loop control system. The modelling system is based on
the transfer function of open-loop air blower system PT326 before the design state of finding a suitable
controller can be suggested. The controller design of PI and PID was obtained using the first method
Ziegler-Nichols tuning rules. The result from the simulation shows that the Ziegler-Nichols first tuning
rules can be applied in designing the PI and PID controller based on S-shape response obtained in
open-loop test.
COVID-19: introduction of a new lifestyle and diet among the Malaysians

Pitol MNS, Sapir ASM

Bull Natl Res Cent, 2023;47(1):3.
PMID: 36624728 DOI: 10.1186/s42269-023-00979-1

BACKGROUND: The stay-at-home conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly alter the Malaysian lifestyle, and all Malaysians faced difficulties adopting the new lifestyle. A hypothetico-deductive technique has been conducted in this study, to find out what kind of changes the COVID-19 has brought about in the behavior of Malaysians and how they are coping with the changing lifestyles. According to G* Power 3.1 sample size determination in Malaysia, the entire sample of 112 was sufficient to provide the value for the medium effect size for the computation of the F-tests and the findings were reliable (The Cronbach's alpha values were all above 0.70.). To calculate the mean of the lifestyle during COVID-19, the mean scores range between 1.00 and 5.00 marks indicating much reduced to much increased.
RESULTS: It seemed that the jobs traveling (mean 1.80) and outdoor sports time (mean = 1.94) were somewhat reduced. In contrast, indoor sports activities (mean = 3.01), online games (mean = 2.76), physical exercises (mean = 2.63), and the number of staycations (mean = 2.46) during the pandemic stayed the same. However, religious activities (mean = 3.73), body mass index (mean = 3.54), online shopping (mean = 3.90), sleeping time (mean = 3.43), amount of anxiety (mean = 3.38), amount of caffeine (mean = 3.15), medical consumption (mean = 3.10), watching movies (mean = 3.26), and watching drama series (mean = 3.37) during COVID-19 were somewhat increased. In addition, respondents' time spent on social media (mean = 4.27) and online meetings (mean = 4.37) during COVID-19 were much increased. We found no significant differences in the means of the dependent variables (lifestyle of COVID-19) among all demographic characteristics except age and employment status.
CONCLUSIONS: New behavioral changes bring new challenges. Malaysians should need to adopt some precautions to minimize the negative effect of new behavioral changes in post-COVID-19 life. The results will help policymakers to make the right decisions about improving the quality of life after COVID-19.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42269-023-00979-1.
A possible resolution of Malaysian sunset industry by green fertilizer technology: factors affecting the adoption among paddy farmers

Adnan N, Nordin SM, Rasli AM

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2019 Sep;26(26):27198-27224.
PMID: 31321721 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05650-9

One of the innovations introduced toward tackling the heightening of environmental impact is green technology. In the agricultural industry, the implementation of green fertilizer technology (GFT) for the modern development of environmentally friendly technology is a necessity. Within the Malaysian agriculture sector, the GFT application is needed to increase production levels among all crops. One of the essential commodities of all crops has always been paddy, given its status as the staple food among the country's population. Paddy production with the adoption of GFT potentially opens the path toward sustainable development in the industry as well as it also provides the food safety aspect. Moreover, this helps farmers to improve their productivity on paddy production in Malaysia. This paper attempts to evaluate the contributing socio-psychological factors, innovation attributes of environmental factors, and channels of communication to decision-making among farmers in Malaysia on GFT. Furthermore, this research also aims to assess the moderating role of cost between the farmer's behavioral intention and the adoption of GFT. The sampling process followed the stratified sampling technique-overall, 600 survey questionnaires were dispersed and 437 effective responses were received. The structural analysis results obtained have revealed significant positive effect for perceived awareness, attitude, group norm, perceived behavioral control, environmental concern, agro-environmental regulations, relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, and observability, and on farmer's behavioral intention, a significant effect for paddy farmer's behavioral intention in order to adopt of GFT. Further, the interaction effects of cost on the link between farmer's behavioral intention and adoption of GFT are statistically significant. Though, the finding could not back an outcome for the subjective norm, complexity, and mass media on farmer's behavioral intention. Finally, critical outcomes obtained in this research contribute to deepening the thoughtfulness of paddy farmers' adoption of GFT. This study concludes with policy recommendations and future directions of the research.
Does cyber tech spending matter for bank stability?

Uddin MH, Mollah S, Ali MH

Int Rev Financ Anal, 2020 Nov;72:101587.
PMID: 38620708 DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2020.101587

CyberTech has drawn academic attention in the aftermath of the global financial crisis (GFC) as banks were forced to embrace CyberTech more aggressively to cope with market competition after the crisis. Banks can improve their operational efficiency and quality of service by relying on CyberTech, but they become more vulnerable to cybersecurity. Thus, increasing investment in CyberTech becomes a strategic necessity for banks to combat cybersecurity hazards. The study investigates how disruptive digital transformation affects bank stability. In particular, it examines whether the law of diminishing marginal returns from overspending on CyberTech affects bank stability. Based on a global sample from 43 countries, we find that an increase in CyberTech spending above the threshold level adversely affects the stability of banks. The main reason behind the adverse effect of CyberTech spending on the stability of banks is that banks take more than the proportional risk for every dollar they spend on disruptive CyberTech after they cross a threshold level of spending. While results persist across sub-samples, our results indicate two important channels of technological regimes - a diminishing returns regime and an increasing returns regime. The diminishing returns regime improves bank stability through more aggressive spending on technology, and the increasing returns regime makes banks more unstable due to excess spending on disruptive CyberTech. The study has implications for cybersecurity and sustainable CyberTech spending for banks.
Loneliness and trust issues reshape mental stress of expatriates during early COVID-19: a structural equation modelling approach

Billah MA, Akhtar S, Khan MN

BMC Psychol, 2023 Apr 29;11(1):140.
PMID: 37120632 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01180-9

OBJECTIVES: To explore relationship among perceived stress regarding loneliness, interpersonal trust and institutional trust of expatriates during the early COVID-19 period (from 30th March to 30th May 2020).
METHODS: Data from 21,439 expatriates were extracted from COVIDiSTRESS global survey. The outcome variable was perceived stress. The explanatory variables were age, perceived loneliness, trust (interpersonal and institutional). Pairwise correlation, and structural equation modelling were used to determine relationship among outcome and explanatory variables.
RESULTS: The majority of the expatriates were female (73.85%), married (60.20%), had college degree (47.76%), and employed (48.72%). Over 63% of the total expatriates reported that the COVID-19 pandemic changed their lives. The average age of the respondents was 40.4 years (± 13.7), and the average score of perceived stress, loneliness, interpersonal and institutional trust were 25.5, 7.4, 14.2 and 40.4, respectively. We found a moderate correlation of perceived stress with age, perceived loneliness, interpersonal trust and institutional trust (p
Does TikTok Open Gates for Sexual Violence Against Young Girls in Bangladesh Amid COVID-19?

Rabby MII, Badiuzzaman M, Akhi IJ

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2022 01;34(1):149-150.
PMID: 34549622 DOI: 10.1177/10105395211046479
Fulltext An Analysis of the Clinical and Radiological Prognostic Factors Affecting the Outcomes of Lumbar Intradiscal Biacuplasty

Md MY, Md CG, Md CW, MSc YC, MSc HJ, Md IH, et al.

Int J Med Sci, 2023;20(8):1115-1122.
PMID: 37484806 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.85777

Purpose: Intradiscal biacuplasty (IDB) has been proven to be effective for treating lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). However, there has not been a reported prognostic factor for IDB. The present study meticulously evaluates the general and radiographic features that may serve as markers for predicting the therapeutic outcome of IDB. Methods: A prospective case series study was conducted, following time-series analysis moving averages models, with forty-one patients suffering from chronic discogenic lower back pain for more than six months. These patients subsequently received lumbar cool radiofrequency IDB and were enrolled in the study. Thirty-seven patients completed follow-up questionnaires at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The surgical outcomes were reported using visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Furthermore, a univariate analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors associated with pain relief from age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and pre-operative lumbar magnetic resonance imaging reading. Results: Significant reductions were found in estimated VAS and ODI at the post-operative period at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (P < 0.001). The NSAID dosage was significantly decreased at 3-month and 1-year follow-up (P < 0.05). No procedure-related complications were detected. The prognosis of IDB was not related to disc height, Pfirrmann grading or Modic endplate change. However, disc extrusions were associated with promising outcomes (VAS improvement ≥ 50%) on pain relief (P < 0.05). Conclusion: IDB is a good alternative choice for treating lumbar DDD. Patients with a painful extrusion lumbar disc may gain some benefits after receiving IDB following a period of failed conservative treatment. These findings may also add some references for physicians in the decision making when treating lumbar DDD.
Multiplex PCR assay for the detection of five meat species forbidden in Islamic foods

Ali ME, Razzak MA, Hamid SB, Rahman MM, Amin MA, Rashid NR, et al.

Food Chem, 2015 Jun 15;177:214-24.
PMID: 25660879 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.12.098

Food falsification has direct impact on public health, religious faith, fair-trades and wildlife. For the first time, here we described a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for the accurate identification of five meat species forbidden in Islamic foods in a single assay platform. Five pairs of species-specific primers were designed targeting mitochondrial ND5, ATPase 6, and cytochrome b genes to amplify 172, 163, 141, 129 and 108 bp DNA fragments from cat, dog, pig, monkey and rat meats, respectively. All PCR products were identified in gel-images and electrochromatograms obtained from Experion Bioanalyzer. Species-specificity checking against 15 important meat and fish and 5 plant species detected no cross-species amplification. Screening of target species in model and commercial meatballs reflected its application to detect target species in process foods. The assay was tested to detect 0.01-0.02 ng DNA under raw states and 1% suspected meats in meatball formulation.
Fulltext Onychomycosis nailed

Leelavathi M, Noorlaily MN

Malays Fam Physician, 2014;9(1):2-7.
PMID: 25606290 MyJurnal

Fungal infection of the nail is a common condition that causes much concern because of its disfiguring appearance. Although specific treatment is available for this condition, treatment outcome is variable and persistent nail dystrophy post-treatment may cause distress to both the patient and the physician. This article describes the current available treatment options for onychomycosis, management approach and the expected treatment outcome to enhance primary care physicians' confidence in managing this condition. Oral antifungal agents such as terbinafine and itraconazole are good treatment options for onychomycosis. Combination therapy using oral antifungal agents with topical lacquer preparations may provide added benefits. Evaluation of patient's expectations, providing information on treatment outcome, clinical cure and recurrence rates are essential in the management of onychomycosis. This article is intended to guide primary care physicians to achieve realistic treatment goals and for a satisfactory experience in the overall management of this challenging condition.
Legislation--Impact and Trends in Nutrition Labeling: A Global Overview

Kasapila W, Shaarani SM

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2016;56(1):56-64.
PMID: 24987986 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2012.710277

The need for accurate nutrition labeling on food products has never been greater. Obesity has assumed near-epidemic levels in both industrialized and emerging nations in recent years, and governments and consumer groups around the world are looking for ways to improve the nutritional choices for their citizenry while simultaneously balancing their freedom of choice through the use of nutrition labeling. Despite increasingly aggressive efforts by government and industry organizations to raise consumer awareness, though, many consumers either do not consult nutrition labels or they are not in a position to interpret the information on these labels accurately. To gain some fresh insights into nutrition labeling practices worldwide, this paper provides a review of the relevant peer-reviewed, scholarly, and government literature to describe regulations enacted to date, evolving and future trends, and the likely impact of food product labels. In this regard, the paper highlights similarities and discrepancies that exist, identifies gaps, and gives directions for the future.
An automated decision-support system for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy disease based on MAs and HAs detection

Saleh MD, Eswaran C

Comput Methods Programs Biomed, 2012 Oct;108(1):186-96.
PMID: 22551841 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2012.03.004

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) has become a serious threat in our society, which causes 45% of the legal blindness in diabetes patients. Early detection as well as the periodic screening of DR helps in reducing the progress of this disease and in preventing the subsequent loss of visual capability. This paper provides an automated diagnosis system for DR integrated with a user-friendly interface. The grading of the severity level of DR is based on detecting and analyzing the early clinical signs associated with the disease, such as microaneurysms (MAs) and hemorrhages (HAs). The system extracts some retinal features, such as optic disc, fovea, and retinal tissue for easier segmentation of dark spot lesions in the fundus images. That is followed by the classification of the correctly segmented spots into MAs and HAs. Based on the number and location of MAs and HAs, the system quantifies the severity level of DR. A database of 98 color images is used in order to evaluate the performance of the developed system. From the experimental results, it is found that the proposed system achieves 84.31% and 87.53% values in terms of sensitivity for the detection of MAs and HAs respectively. In terms of specificity, the system achieves 93.63% and 95.08% values for the detection of MAs and HAs respectively. Also, the proposed system achieves 68.98% and 74.91% values in terms of kappa coefficient for the detection of MAs and HAs respectively. Moreover, the system yields sensitivity and specificity values of 89.47% and 95.65% for the classification of DR versus normal.
An efficient algorithm for retinal blood vessel segmentation using h-maxima transform and multilevel thresholding

Saleh MD, Eswaran C

Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin, 2012;15(5):517-25.
PMID: 21331960 DOI: 10.1080/10255842.2010.545949

Retinal blood vessel detection and analysis play vital roles in early diagnosis and prevention of several diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and stroke. This paper presents an automated algorithm for retinal blood vessel segmentation. The proposed algorithm takes advantage of powerful image processing techniques such as contrast enhancement, filtration and thresholding for more efficient segmentation. To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, experiments were conducted on 40 images collected from DRIVE database. The results show that the proposed algorithm yields an accuracy rate of 96.5%, which is higher than the results achieved by other known algorithms.
Waste management and recycling practices of the urban poor: a case study in Kuala lumpur city, Malaysia

Murad MW, Siwar C

Waste Manag Res, 2007 Feb;25(1):3-13.
PMID: 17346002

This study assesses waste management and recycling practices of the urban poor households residing as squatters and in low-cost flats of Kuala Lumpur city, Malaysia. To attain the objective, the study employed some statistical techniques such as t-tests of equality of means, one-way analysis of variance, chi-squared 'likelihood ratio' tests, and simple descriptive statistics. The statistical techniques were used to determine and analyse the factors that significantly influence the environmental behaviour of the urban poor concerning solid waste management, particularly their recycling practices. The findings of the study show that the urban poor and low-income communities have been proved to behave in ways that are consistent with and conducive to environmentally friendly solid waste management. This study provides evidence that the urban poor and low-income communities are the main recyclers, re-users, and source-reducers of their household solid waste. The study, however, suggests that policies should be formulated to focus on promoting knowledge, education, and the skills of the urban poor and, in addition, to empower them as a means of improving their quality of life.
Identification of positive GATEWAY expression clones when both the pENTRY and pDEST vectors contain the same marker for bacterial selection

Basherudin N, Curtis MD

CSH Protoc, 2006;2006(6).
PMID: 22485995 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot4647

GATEWAY cloning technology (Invitrogen) takes advantage of bacteriophage λ site-specific recombination. The life cycle of λ alternates between the lytic and lysogenic stages. DNA can be inserted or excised from the Escherichia coli host genome by recombination between specific sites, AttB (bacterial) and AttP (phage). This process is mediated by the λ proteins int (integrase) and xis (excisionase), and a host protein IHF (integration host factor). GATEWAY cloning technology uses this process to insert fragments of DNA directionally into specially adapted vectors. These vectors contain a negative selectable marker, the ccdB gene, to select against nonrecombinant clones. Promoter or gene fragments are made GATEWAY compatible with adapter primers and amplified by PCR. These fragments are used in a BP clonase reaction to create ENTRY clones. Usually the pDONR vector used to generate such ENTRY clones is chosen so that the antibiotic selection marker is different from that of the pDEST vector, which finally generates an expression clone. This favors the selection of the expression clone and selects against the pENTRY clone. Now that many pENTRY and pDEST vectors have been generated and made available in stock centers, the antibiotic resistance genes are predetermined and may not always be compatible with each other. This problem is frequently experienced by plant researchers, since many full-length cDNA libraries have been generated using the pDONR-TOPO, pDONR221, or pENTR1A vectors, which are all kanamycin resistant in bacteria, and many pDEST vectors have been adapted from conventional plant transformation vectors, which are also frequently kanamycin resistant in bacteria. The following protocol describes ways in which such difficult vector combinations can be used effectively to obtain the appropriate expression clone without having to convert the pENTRY clone or pDEST clone to vectors with compatible antibiotic resistances.
Liquid state bioconversion of sewage treatment plant sludge in batch fermenter and shake flask

Alam MZ, Fakhru'l-Razi A

Artif Cells Blood Substit Immobil Biotechnol, 2004;32(3):485-500.
PMID: 15508283

A study on liquid state bioconversion of sewage treatment plant (STP) sludge was assisted to evaluate the performance of batch fermenter compared to shake flask in a laboratory. Bioconversion of STP sludge was highly influenced by the mixed fungal culture of Penicillium corylophilum and Aspergillus niger after 4 days of treatment. The results showed that about 24.9 g kg(-1) dry sludge cake (DSC) was produced with enrichment of fungal biomass protein in fermenter while 20.1 g kg(-1) in shake flask after 4 days of fungal treatment. The effective biodegradation of STP sludge was recorded in both fermenter and shake flask experiment compared to control (uninnoculated sample). The results presented in this study revealed that the overall performance of fermenter in terms of sludge cake (biosolids) accumulation and biodegradation of STP sludge was higher than the shake flask.
Fulltext A boy with blue sclera and recurrent fractures

Md Shukri N, Mohamad I, Salim R

Malays Fam Physician, 2015;10(1):52-3.
PMID: 26425297
Fulltext Computational and Pharmacological Target of Neurovascular Unit for Drug Design and Delivery

Islam MM, Mohamed Z

Biomed Res Int, 2015;2015:731292.
PMID: 26579539 DOI: 10.1155/2015/731292

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic and highly selective permeable interface between central nervous system (CNS) and periphery that regulates the brain homeostasis. Increasing evidences of neurological disorders and restricted drug delivery process in brain make BBB as special target for further study. At present, neurovascular unit (NVU) is a great interest and highlighted topic of pharmaceutical companies for CNS drug design and delivery approaches. Some recent advancement of pharmacology and computational biology makes it convenient to develop drugs within limited time and affordable cost. In this review, we briefly introduce current understanding of the NVU, including molecular and cellular composition, physiology, and regulatory function. We also discuss the recent technology and interaction of pharmacogenomics and bioinformatics for drug design and step towards personalized medicine. Additionally, we develop gene network due to understand NVU associated transporter proteins interactions that might be effective for understanding aetiology of neurological disorders and new target base protective therapies development and delivery.
Fulltext Congenital mastoid cholesteatoma presenting as a mass obstructing external auditory canal

Khairunnisak M, Mohd Khairi MD

Med J Malaysia, 2014 Dec;69(6):277-8.
PMID: 25934960 MyJurnal

We describe the clinical presentation, investigation and management of an eventually fatal case of hypercalcemic crisis due to primary hyperparathyridism (PHPT). A 60 year-old lady with history of urolithiasis presented with worsening generalized bone pain, spinal scoliosis and a limp. Laboratory data showed hypercalcemia and raised alkaline phosphatase. Left hip x-ray revealed a subcapital femoral neck fracture. Intact parathyroid hormone was elevated, 187.6 pmol/L (1.6 - 6.9) and ultrasound showed an enlarged right parathyroid gland. Despite initial reduction of serum calcium with saline infusion and multiple doses of intravenous pamidronate, her calcium increased to 4.14 mmol/L a week following application of Buck's traction for persistent left hip pain. She succumbed eventually with serum calcium peaking at 6.28 mmol/L despite multiple therapeutic interventions.
Fulltext A fire death with a rare finding: anthracosis or soot embolism?

Rahimi R, Omar E, Md Noor S

Malays J Pathol, 2015 Apr;37(1):57-61.
PMID: 25890616 MyJurnal

Charred human remains were found in the smoking ambers of a dying fire in an oil palm plantation in Selangor, Malaysia in the midnight of January 28, 2013. Investigations showed that palm fronds and rubber tires were used to light and sustain the blaze. At least four to five tires were estimated to be used based on the residual burnt metal wires at the site. The remains were brought to the Department of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Sungai Buloh, Selangor for post-mortem examination. Pre-autopsy imaging showed a fractured skull with presence of a bullet in the head. The body belonged to a male with unrecognizable facial features, pugilistic attitude, and reduced body size caused by fire damage with sparing of the posterior surface. A large fracture was present at the skull vault. An entry gunshot wound was observed on the left side of the body of mandible, which was associated with base of skull fracture. Heat-related fractures were also noted on the right side of the frontal bone. A projectile was retrieved from the right side of the occipital lobe. Further examination showed presence of soot and hyperaemic larynx, trachea, main bronchi, and oesophagus. Black spots measuring 1 to 2 mm were present on the surface and parenchyma of the heart, liver, pancreas and kidneys. Histopathology examination showed black particles within the vessels in the affected organs. We report this rare finding in a charred body and present a discussion based on published literature on this issue.
A suitable method for the detection of a potential fraud of bringing macaque monkey meat into the food chain

Rashid NR, Ali ME, Hamid SB, Rahman MM, Razzak MA, Asing, et al.

Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess, 2015;32(7):1013-22.
PMID: 25906074 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2015.1039073

Being the third-largest primate population has not made macaque (Macaca fascicularis sp.) monkeys less exposed to threats and dangers. Despite wildlife protection, they have been widely hunted and consumed in several countries because of their purported nutritional values. In addition to trading as pure bush meats in several places, monkey meat has been sold in meatball and soup products in Indonesia. Thus the possibility of macaque meat trafficking under the label of common meats is quite high. This paper reports the development of a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay with the shortest amplicon length for the confirmed detection of monkey meat under compromised states which are known to degrade DNA. We amplified a 120-bp region of d-loop gene using a pair of macaque-specific primers and confirmed their specificity for the target species through cross-challenging against 17 different species using a 141-bp site of an 18 S rRNA gene as an endogenous control for eukaryotes. This eliminated the possibilities of any false-negative detection with complex matrices or degraded specimens. The detection limit was 0.00001 ng DNA in a pure state and 0.1% of meat in mixed matrices and commercial meatball products. RFLP analysis further authenticated the originality of the PCR product and distinctive restriction patterns were found upon AluI and CViKI-1 digestion. A micro-fluidic lab-on-a-chip automated electrophoretic system separated the fragments with high resolution. The assay was validated for screening commercial meatball products with sufficient internal control.

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