As a way to enhance performance in sports, apart from in-field or in court training, athletes are recommended to adopt resistance training into their training routine. As an exercise that needs the performer to split their legs, lunge is suggested to be included as an exercise in a training session. Various researches had been conducted on lunge and several findings showed different methods or protocols of lunge affect the kinematics, kinetics muscle activation and fascicle behaviour response during the exercise. Although not much study conducted on the chronic adaptations, the existing studies suggested that performers should well plan the training protocols as this will cause different training adaptations.
Mass production of fish broodstock with high quality eggs requires the knowledge on the chemical composition and physiochemical properties of vitellogenin (Vtg) during ovulation. Vtg is an egg yolk precursor phospholipoglycoprotein, and has been analysed to evaluate the reproductive conditions and determine the spawning period in captive and wild fish. In this study, Vtg was induced in male H. nemurus through three intramuscular injections of 17-estradiol (E2). The Vtg was purified from the serum using gel filtration chromatography and the purified protein was reduced via SDS-PAGE. One major polypeptide corresponding to 130 kDa was observed. Vtg identification was done using peptide mass fingerprint (PMF) from the trypsin digestion of male H. nemurus Vtg induced with E2. The sequence homology of H. nemurus AYLAGAAADVLEVGVR matched the Vtg of other fish species when analysed using MALDI-TOF. Vtg was confirmed by MASCOT at 95% significant level. The potential protein that controls the reproductive process and oocyte development isolated from this study was discussed to understand the structure and function of Vtg.
Introduction: During which HFMD epidemic has kept on recurring worldwide, effective vaccine and specific treatment for HFMD are still not available, calling attention to on preventive practices as the mainstay of the management. Therefore, it is timely to renew the assessment on maternal preventive practices and its predictors in Klang District, Selangor wherein the endemicity and upsurge of HFMD cases has been demonstrated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st April 2017 until 15th May 2015 among mothers of Community Development Department (KEMAS) preschool children in Klang District. Respondents were selected based on probability proportional to size sampling, whereas data collection was facilitated by validated, and reliable self-administered questionnaire, that examine on the preventive practices towards HFMD. Results: A total of 353 mothers responded to questionnaire, resulting response rate of 80.2%. Most of the respondent were housewife, married and obtained educational level up to secondary school. Insufficient knowledge score (13.61 ± 4.04) was demonstrated, with health belief highlighted on low mean score for perceived severity and perceived barrier, which was 8.30(SD=1.36) and 7.80(SD=2.14) respectively. Simple linear regression revealed significant linear relationship between preventive practices with knowledge and all health belief subscales. Hierarchical multiple linear regression reported predictors of preventive practices towards HFMD, which include knowledge, (perceived susceptibility)2, perceived severity, and perceived barrier, with the group of variables was significantly predicting the (preventive practice)3 and accounted for 13.1% variance in the (preventive practices)3 (F[5,347]=11.588, p value=
Disability sport is becoming more popular worldwide as shown by increased participation from athletes. The increase participation exerted pressure on the athletes to achieve better sports performance. One of the factors in enhancing sports performances is nutrition. A proper diet is needed for athletes, as it is an essential component in optimizing physical development and sports performance. Identifying the nutritional knowledge and supplement habits among disabled athletes will help maximize the benefits of nutrition. Despite the importance of nutrition, there is no validated questionnaire for identifying nutritional knowledge and supplement habits among disabled athletes in Malaysia. Thus, this study aims to develop and validate a questionnaire on nutritional knowledge and supplement habits among Malaysian disabled athletes and to examine the reliability of the questionnaire. This paper intends to discuss the validation of the developed questionnaire specifically on expert validation. The target population of this study is Malaysian disabled athletes. Firstly, the questionnaire is developed and adapted from previous literature on both nutritional knowledge and supplement habits for disabled athletes. Then, the developed questionnaire undergoes translation process before proceeding with validation and reliability process. Expert validation requires a panel of experts in sports nutrition, nutrition and dietitian fields. The questionnaire will be analyzed in terms of content validity ratio (CVR). The expected result of this study is a questionnaire validated by an expert panel on nutritional knowledge and supplement habits among Malaysian disabled athletes. In future research, the reliability of the questionnaire will be tested on 23 Malaysian disabled athletes, and their nutritional status will be identified. Hence, this study will help to promote the growth of disability sports in Malaysia and enhance the sports performance of disabled athletes in Malaysia through nutrition.
Introduction: Sun exposure is a risk for skin cancer but is beneficial for multiple other diseases. Recommendations for photoprotection are well defined, guidelines for optimal sun exposure is not clear. We determined sun exposure in healthy adults, considering their skin phototype and amount of skin exposed. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed involving healthy adults working in a tertiary health facility. Fitzpatrick skin phototype quiz was used to determine skin phototype. Sun exposure was quantified as an index (SEI); body surface area exposed times duration of exposure. Results: We recruited 167 volunteers, 110(66%) women and 56(34%) men. Mean age was 29.77±6.58 years, 124(74.7%) were Malay, 27(16.3%) Chinese, 14(8.4%) Indians and 1(0.6%) of other ethnicity. Fitzpatrick skin phototypes were 30(18.1%) type III, 109(65.7%) type IV and 27(16.3%) type V. Exposed body surface area was 13.96±8.33% in males and 14.55±9.58% in females. The duration of sun exposure per week in males was 11.52±6.11hours and 10.71±5.75 hours in females. Mean SEI was 160 ±144. The SEI in females was 158 ±151, 164 ±130 in males, p value =0.81. There were no significant differences in SEI between gender and skin phototypes. Conclusion: SEI was very low in our study population due to limited body surface area exposed and duration of sun exposure. SEI was higher in darker skin and males, however these were not statistically significant.
The main purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between self-concept, family
relationship quality and externalizing behavior problem (aggressive behavior and delinquency
behavior) among adolescents in Selangor. Besides that, this study also to determine the level of selfconcept,
family relationship quality and externalizing behavior among secondary school students as
well as to compare the differences between these three variables according to sex. A total of 400
students (nmale =53%, nfemale=47%) from secondary schools were selected in this study. The multi-stage
cluster sampling technique was used during sample selection. Data were obtained from selfadministered
questionnaire that are consist of Individual Protective Factors Index Questionnaire
(1992), Family Relationship Characteristics (1997), Aggression Scale (2001) and Problem Behavior
Frequency Scale (1977). The findings revealed that majority of students have moderate level of selfconcept,
family relationship quality as well as externalizing behavior. In terms of sex differences, the
results showed that family belief, family structure and externalizing behavior have significant
differences according to sex (t= -4.393 to 7.588, p
The local government is the closest government to the local community and identified as the third level
of government after the state and federal governments. Each local government has their own power to
enact by-laws under their respective administration. By-laws is a formulation of the law under the
jurisdiction of local government in performing its duties and functions covering the administrative area
that has been identified by the state government. Some of the by-laws play a part in shaping the
personality of the community, especially in local government areas which are quite different approach
such as Kota Bharu Municipal Council of Islamic Cities (MPKB-BRI). By-laws implemented by
MPKB-BRI are very different compared to other states in Malaysia which is the provisions of the bylaws
that suggests the aurat closure and appropriate clothing among traders, business premises owners
and local communities. The purpose of this study is to review the extent of the by-laws implemented by
MPKB-BRI to influence and shaping the personality of the local community in Kota Bharu district,
Kelantan.
Electron beam vulcanization of natural rubber latex has been developed as an alternative to the conventional sulphur vulcanization method. This study aimed at determining the effect of electron beam dose, beam current and centrifugation to the tensile properties of field natural rubber latex. Irradiation dose and beam current ranged from 50 to 300 kGy and 1 to 15 mA respectively. The determination of tensile properties were done on cast film prepared from irradiated field latex before and after centrifugation. It was found that tensile properties increased with radiation dose but decreased with beam current. Rubber films made from centrifuged irradiated field latex were softer and showed higher tensile strength.
In this study, the plasma characteristics and GaN etch properties of inductively coupled Cl2/Ar and Cl2/H2 plasmas were investigated. Our results showed that inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching of gallium nitride by using Cl2/Ar and Cl2/H2 were possible to meet the requirements (anisotropy, high etch rate and high selectivity). We have investigated the etching rate dependency on the percentage of argon and hydrogen in the gas mixture and the DC voltage. Surface morphology of the etched samples was checked by SEM and AFM. It was found that the etched surface was anisotropic and the smoothness of the etched surface is comparable to that of polished wafer. As results, gas mixture using Cl2/Ar, we obtained highest etching rates; 5000 Å/min and ~0.5 nm rms roughness for n-GaN and for p-GaN, the etching rates was 3300 Å/min and ~0.7 nm for rms roughness. Meanwhile, for gas mixture using Cl2/H2, the etching was 1580 Å/min for n-GaN and 950 Å/min for p-GaN.
The Malaysian Breastfeeding Peer Counsellors (MBFPC) is the pioneer of non-governmental organization (NGO) of trained breastfeeding peer counsellors in Malaysia initiated in 2010. The training was done in a systematic way using a developed syllabus that was adapted from and endorsed by the La Leche League International (LLLI) to suit our local population. Training materials used throughout the program were presentation slides, demonstration tools, mantas and role-plays. Materials and methods: In 2015, MBFPC partnered with Global Health Media Project (GHMP) to incorporate breastfeeding videos as training tool to further enhance the delivery of current breastfeeding peer counsellor trainings to the participants, emphasizing on helping breastfeeding mothers. The new training tool was evaluated in 38 participants, who underwent 21 hours of training. Participants were required to do pre and post-assessments to complete the MBFPC Modules, view 8 videos and do practical sessions within a 2 month period post training. Participants’ field experience survey and focus group discussions were conducted among the participants and the trainers to look at the practicality of the videos in our training. Results: All participants felt that the videos made the training more effective and helped change their understanding and approach. The trainers agreed that the videos had covered all key topics need to be delivered in the training modules and helped them to deliver most important topics in helping breastfeeding mothers in a more practical way. Conclusion: GHMP Breastfeeding Videos are suitable as educational and training tools in helping breastfeeding mothers in our training.
The relativistic Schrodinger equation is reinterpreted as describing a classical particle that mutually-interacts with other objects via electromagnetic-like gravity waves. The accompanying derivation equates the usual quantum mechanical energy and momentum operators to the effects of negative or attractive energy. Lorentz-like transformation equations are obtained that yield the uncertainty principle such that quantum uncertainty is ascribed to the disregard of a magnetic-like component of a gravity wave. Finally, quantum-level Maxwell-like equations that involve the above gravity waves are derived.
Persamaan Schrodinger kerelatifan ditafsirkan sebagai memperihalkan suatu zarah klasik yang berinteraksi dengan jasad-jasad lain melalui gelombang graviti yang berciri keelektromagnetan. Terbitan sampingan menyamakan pengoperasi-pengeoperasi tenaga dan momentum mekanik kuantum dengan kesan-kesan tenaga negatif atau tarikan. Persamaan-persamaan bermirip transformasi Lorentz diperolehi yang menerbitkan prinsip ketakpastian dan memberi ketakpastian kuantum sebagai kesan pengabaian bahagian gelombang graviti yang bermirip kemagnetan. Akhir sekali, persamaan-persamaan diparas kuntum yang bermirip persamaan-persamaan Maxwell diterbitkan dan melibatkan gelombang graviti yang tersebut di atas.
Non-parametric modeling is a method which relies heavily on data and motivated by the smoothness properties in estimating a function which involves spline and non-spline approaches. Spline approach consists of regression spline and smoothing spline. Regression spline with Bayesian approach is considered in the first step of a two-step method in estimating the structural parameters for stochastic differential equation (SDE). The selection of knot and order of spline can be done heuristically based on the scatter plot. To overcome the subjective and tedious process of selecting the optimal knot and order of spline, an algorithm was proposed. A single optimal knot is selected out of all the points with exception of the first and the last data which gives the least value of Generalized Cross Validation (GCV) for each order of spline. The use is illustrated using observed data of opening share prices of Petronas Gas Bhd. The results showed that the Mean Square Errors (MSE) for stochastic model with parameters estimated using optimal knot for 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 runs of Brownian motions are smaller than the SDE models with estimated parameters using knot selected heuristically. This verified the viability of the two-step method in the estimation of the drift and diffusion parameters of SDE with an improvement of a single knot selection.
Peramalan kepekatan PM10 adalah penting kerana menyedut udara mengandungi PM10 boleh membawa kepada pelbagai penyakit kronik seperti kanser dan bronkitis. Kajian ini merupakan kajian perintis menggunakan pendekatan kalut bagi meramal PM10 di Malaysia. Data yang dikaji adalah siri masa PM10 mengikut jam yang dicerap di stesen penanda aras yang terletak dalam daerah Jerantut di negeri Pahang. Pendekatan kalut mempunyai dua langkah iaitu pembinaan semula ruang fasa dan proses peramalan. Melalui langkah 1, ruang fasa pelbagai-matra dibina menggunakan parameter masa tunda τ = 7 dan matra pembenaman m = 4 yang masing-masing diperoleh daripada kaedah maklumat purata bersama dan kaedah Cao. Hasil daripada gambarajah ruang fasa dan juga plot parameter kaedah Cao mempamerkan bahawa data bersifat kalut. Melalui langkah 2, peramalan satu jam ke hadapan selama sebulan siri masa PM10 dijalankan menggunakan kaedah penghampiran setempat. Nilai pekali kolerasi antara data ramalan dan data sebenar hanyalah 0.5692. Namun, graf perbandingan menunjukkan bahawa data ramalan adalah hampir dengan data sebenar dengan nilai ralat punca min kuasa dua peramalan adalah 7.6814. Ini menunjukkan kesesuaian penggunaan kaedah penghampiran setempat dalam meramal siri masa PM10 dan ia merupakan petanda positif bahawa pendekatan kalut ini boleh diguna pakai ke atas siri masa bahan pencemar di Malaysia.
Working environmental conditions in automotive industry are very challenging to the human workers. Meanwhile, products quality is very much dependent on workers’ health, safety and comfort in their working environment. Environmental factors, such as temperature, illuminance and humidity levels have significant effect on workers’ performance at the production line. In this experiment, temperature, humidity, illuminance levels and productivity rate were observed in a control room. An automotive manufacturing firm production line was chosen to be simulated in the control room to observe the temperature, relative humidity, illuminance and worker’s productivity rate. The experimental data collected was analyzed using Response Surface Method (RSM). RSM is an analysis technique, which combined statistical systems and mathematical methods. It can be applied for research and development, reform and optimize a process, which involves several design variables. As a result, the combined effect of temperature, illuminance and humidity toward productivity can be clearly seen. Optimum environmental factor cannot be predicted using first order RSM analysis because it gives low reliability for obtaining the optimum level. Thus, a second order RSM analysis was generated for obtaining the optimum level of environmental factors.
Kajian kelakuan harian diurnal telah dijalankan ke atas beberapa ekor cimpanzi (Pan troglodytes) di Zoo Negara. Objektif kajian ialah untuk mencerap peruntukan aktiviti harian cimpanzi di dalam kurungan dan mengkaji kesan pengkayaan terhadap kelakuannya. Kaedah persampelan yang digunakan ialah persampelan fokus dengan pengrekodan berterusan. Pemerhatian dijalankan selama 32 hari dari pukul 9.00 pagi hingga 5.00 petang dengan satu jam berehat. Fasa tanpa pengkayaan berlangsung selama 16 hari (80 jam 45 min). Fasa pengkayaan juga dilakukan selama 16 hari (86 jam 15 min). Hasil aktiviti harian menunjukkan cimpanzi banyak berehat (45.2%) dan memerhati persekitaran (16.81%) diikuti dengan aktiviti pergerakan (11.33%), makan (8.38%), berdandan (5.27%), mencari makanan (4.81%), tidur (3.40%), agresif (0.38%), kelakuan lain-lain yang tak tertakrif dalam skop kajian ini seperti kelakuan stereotipik (0.28%) dan kelakuan seksual (0.14%). Fasa pengkayaan memberi hanya perbezaan yang bererti kepada kelakuan mencari makanan (p<0.001), membina sarang (p<0.05) dan kelakuan memerhati persekitaran (p<0.05).
Kajian ini dijalankan untuk menentukan kesan pemberian suplemen puri jambu batu merah (Psidium guajava) ke atas profil darah dan urin tikus teraruh hipertensi. Sebanyak 24 ekor tikus dibahagi 4 kumpulan (kawalan, CG (air suling); dos rendah, LDG (0.5 g/kg berat badan); dos sederhana, MDG (1.0 g/kg berat badan); dos tinggi, HDG (2.0 g/ kg berat badan). Tikus diberi puri jambu batu merah secara suap-paksa selama 28 hari dan diletakkan dalam sangkar individu. Berat organ dan profil lipid serum tidak berbeza secara signifikan antara kumpulan rawatan. Nilai glukosa darah (mmol/l) MDG (5.53±0.69) lebih tinggi secara signifikan berbanding CG (4.53±0.39) dan LDG (4.80±0.54). Tiada
perbezaan signifikan pada status antioksida total, urea, fosfat alkali dan globulin antara kumpulan rawatan. Terdapat perbezaan signifikan pada hematologi darah, bilirubin total, gama-glutamil transpeptidase (GGT), protein total, albumin dan nisbah albumin:globulin antara CG dan kumpulan rawatan. Sel darah merah dan platlet bagi LDG (10.95±0.57×1012/l; 941.17±139.0 ×109/l) lebih tinggi berbanding CG (10.05±0.63 ×1012/l; 858.83±163.4 ×109/l) masing-masing. LDG (3.51 umol/l) mempunyai kepekatan bilirubin total lebih rendah berbanding CG (4.25 umol/l). Tahap GGT pula lebih
tinggi pada HDG (8.67 U/l) berbanding CG dan MDG (7.00 U/l). Nisbah albumin:globulin lebih rendah pada CG (1.50) berbanding MDG (1.36) dan HDG (1.37). Julat pH urin dan kandungan urobilinogen dalam darah antara 7.3-8.0 dan 2.8-3.2 μmol/l masing-masing. Tiada kehadiran glukosa dan bilirubin pada semua urin kumpulan rawatan. Suplemen puri jambu batu merah (Psidium guajava) ke atas tikus SHR menunjukkan tiada kesan signifikan terhadap profil lipid serum, urin, berat organ dan tahap glukosa darah.
A high-order uniform Cartesian grid compact finite difference scheme for the Goursat problem is developed. The basic idea of high-order compact schemes is to find the compact approximations to the derivatives terms by differentiating centrally the governing equations. Our compact scheme will approximate the derivative terms by involving the higher terms and reducing the number of grid points. The compact finite difference scheme is given for general form of the Goursat problem in uniform domain and illustrates the performance by applying a linear problem. Numerical experiments have been conducted with the new scheme and encouraging results have been obtained. In this paper we present the compact finite difference scheme for the Goursat problem. With the aid of computational software the scheme was programmed for determining the relative errors of linear Goursat problem.
Commonly, teenage marriage affects schooling and being gainfully employed to support the family in later life. Most studies focused on the effects of marriage at the young age. However, less research is focusing on the experience of marriage from the perspective of the teenagers who get married at the teen age. This article aims to answer the following questions: (1) what are the experiences of teenage marriages, and (2) what are their views on teenage marriage. The article is based on semi-structured interviews with seven girls recruited by snowball technique, aged 15 to 23 years, married and living in Kuching, Sarawak. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis. Seven themes emerged on marriage experiences: being independent, nourishing patience, maintaining social boundaries, developing responsible behaviour, being inspired, staying positive and doubting their ability as a husband or wife. Moreover, four main themes described informants' views on teenage marriage: to avoid immorality, immaturity, making decisions wisely and accountability. It can be concluded that a person who gets married at the teen age is in need of help from various parties, especially parents and friends as well as community not to be stigmatized for being married at the teen age.
The effectiveness of training is an important aspect in the development of training. After investing a lot of money to organize a training program, the organization often wants to know about the effectiveness of training given to trainee as well as how it can gives impact to the organization. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of training tested through learning performance among trainees that undergo a transition in the Perbadanan Hal Ehwal Bekas Angkatan Tentera (PERHEBAT). In this study, personal characteristics and training program characteristics acted as the independent variables in predicting learning performance. The instrument used in this study was adapted from Trainee Characteristic Scale, Training Program Characteristic Scale and Training Effectiveness Scale by Siti Fardaniah (2013) for personal characteristics, training program characteristics and learning performance. Questionnaires to measure the dimension of training transfer for the training characteristics was adapted from the Learning Transfer System Inventory (LTSI) by Holton et al. (2000). Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that extrinsic orientation, self-efficacy and organizational commitment have significant influence on learning performance. Relevance of training content and learning transfer design also affecedt learning performance. Findings in this study can be used as a reference to improve training effectiveness by focusing on personal characteristics and training characteristics conducted in PERHEBAT.
Kajian ini memfokuskan penggunaan model kabur baru untuk pemilihan sistem pelupusan sisa pepejal perbandaran (SPP) yang dewasa ini dilihat semakin menghambat terutamanya negeri-negeri di bahagian tengah Semenanjung Malaysia. Rekod menunjukkan negeri Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (WPKL) mencatatkan penghasilan SPP tertinggi melebihi 2.32 juta tan setahun pada tahun 2005. Lazimnya, proses untuk menentukan sistem pelupusan yang sesuai melibatkan pengenalpastian matlamat dan kriteria berdasarkan pilihan yang ada. Ia juga bersifat pertimbangan multi-kriteria yang melibatkan banyak pihak berkepentingan dalam membuat keputusan. Berdasarkan permasalahan tersebut, model multi-kriteria dwikabur konflik diusulkan menggunakan konsep penegasan linguistik (i.i., dilasi dan konsentrasi) dalam proses hierarki analitik (AHP). Model ini diubahsuai menggunakan teori set baru yang diberi nama ‘set dwikabur konflik’. Kajian kes di negeri Selangor dan WPKL dimanfaatkan sepenuhnya untuk menunjukkan kesesuaian model yang diusulkan. Berdasarkan pengiraan yang ditunjukkan, model yang diusulkan dapat menilai kesemua kriteria secara lebih menyeluruh disebabkan sifat ‘timbal balas’ yang dimilikinya. Di samping itu, ia mampu menangani masalah yang bersifat berketaktentuan secara berkesan disebabkan pembuat keputusan boleh menilai secara linguistik sepenuhnya sekaligus memudahkan mereka membuat keputusan dengan lebih cekap dan berkesan.