Introduction: To investigate the questions that Muslim patients, embryologists, paramedics, clinical counsellor and doctors may have pertaining to the compliance of Assisted Reproductive Technique (ART) to Shari’aa.
Methods: As a preliminary study, an open-ended survey was administered to participants. Participants for the survey comprised of 21 patients, 2 embryologists, 2 doctors, 4 paramedics and 1 counsellor.
Results: Data analysis showed that most of the participants posed questions that fall into six classifications which are: Munakahat (Family Law), social Hukm, Fiqh Ibadah, Fiqh Qadha (Islamic Hukm), General Fiqh and Usul Fiqh.
Conclusion: It is clear that even though the participants were rather familiar with some of the existing Fatwas pertaining to ART and IVF in Malaysia, there are still remaining doubts which need to be clarified. This indicates that there are challenges faced in seeking and providing ART treatment to Muslim patients. This needs to be addressed perhaps in the form of Shari’aa-compliant guidelines to provide a clear explanation of each process and procedure in fertility treatment.
Ni–SiC composite coatings were electrodeposited from a Watts-type bath containing 5 g/l SiC particles in suspension. The particles were dispersed with the aid of mechanical agitation at 75 rpm and 150 rpm. EDX analysis confirmed the existence of Ni and SiC in the coatings. The effects of agitation speed on hardness properties of the coatings were investigated. SEM results showed that lower agitation speed could improve the amount of co-deposited SiC particles and increase the hardness of the composite coatings. The bonding between the Ni metal matrix and the SiC ceramic particles was compact.
The fi rst part of this study was about measurement of dosimetric parameters for small photon beams to be used as input
data for treatment planning computer system (TPS) and to verify the dose calculated by TPS in Stereotactic Radiosurgery
(SRS) procedure. The beam data required were percentage depth dose (PDD), off-axis ratio (OAR) and scattering factor.
Small beams of 5 mm to 45 mm diameter from a circular cone collimator in SRS were used for beam data measurements.
Measurements were made using pinpoint ionisation chamber (0.016cc). In the second part of this study, we reported
the important of carrying out quality assurance (QA) procedures before SRS treatment which were found to infl uence the
accuracy of dose delivery. These QA procedures consisted of measurements on the accuracy in target localization and
treatment room laser alignment. The calculated TPS dose for treatment was verifi ed using pinpoint ionisation chamber
and thermoluminescent detector (TLD) 100H. The deviation mean between measured and calculated dose was -3.28%.
The measured dose obtained from pinpoint ionisation chamber is in good agreement with the calculated dose from TPS
with deviation mean of 2.17%. In conclusion, pinpoint ionisation chamber gives a better accuracy in dose calculation
compared to TLD 100H. The results are acceptable as recommended by International Commission on Radiation Units
and Measurements (ICRU) Report No. 50 (1994) that dose delivered to the target volume must be within ± 5% error.
This is a case of a 65 year old lady who presented with Cushing’s syndrome secondary to ingestion of a complementary and alternative medicine that has been adulterated with exogenous glucocorticoids. In a clinical consultation, it is important to include assessment of complementary and alternative medicine use for a comprehensive care.
The presence of 226 Ra in water is a great concern in human life since it can cause health risk to a certain extent. In the state of Kelantan, being known of its granitic area, there is a lack measurement of 226 Ra content in river water, since water is the major source of water supply. According to the INTERIM National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (INWQS), 226 Ra activity concentration in water cannot exceed 0.1 Bq/L. For this reasons, this research was planned to carry out a systematic measurement of water along Sungai Kelantan. Liquid Scintillation Counting was used for measurement of 226 Ra in water samples from Sungai Kelantan mainly in district of Kuala Krai. In this paper, the results obtained is about 26 water samples, filtered and unfiltered, collected along Sungai Lebir, Sungai Sok and Bukit Sabah. Thus, the assessment activity concentration of 226 Ra in river water was obtained as well as annual effective dose for consumption of drinking water.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the ACE I/D gene polymorphism on athletic status and physical performance of well-trained Malaysian athletes. The distribution of ACE I/D gene polymorphism among 180 well trained athletes was compared with 180 sedentary controls. 20 meter Yo-Yo intermittent recovery and leg strength tests were used to measure maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and leg strength value of athletes with different ACE I/D genotype, respectively. Chi-Square and one way ANOVA tests were used for data analysis. The II and DD genotype were more prevalent among the endurance athletes and the strength/ power athletes compared to the other groups, respectively (p=0.00). The VO2max was not significantly associated with ACE genotype in athlete (p=0.828). However, athletes with the DD genotype had recorded a greater result for leg strength (113.8 ± 36.2) than those with the II (96.2 ± 28.0) and the ID (112.2 ± 33.5) genotype (p=0.047). This study supports the notion that ACE I/D gene polymorphism might be a genetic factor associated with athletic status and strength performance among the Malaysian population. Future studies with more representation of endurance athletes might able to detect the association between I allele and endurance performance.
The furnishings provided by the Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) are not suitable with the diverse student’s body
shapes. This could leads to lack of comfort in usage of the furnishings as well as affecting the effectiveness of the
delivery of the lectures. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to evaluate the student’s comfort level in the
current seat of the Lecture Theatre (LT) and to gather student’s anthropometry data. Two hundred and twenty one
students were involved in this study from one of the IHL in Selangor. A few similar design of LT were chosen for this
study. The Standard Nordic Questionnaire was used to identify the comfort level of students. Eleven body parts
measurements of all participated students were collected by using measurement apparatus such as callipers and
ruler. Based on the findings, it showed that the current seat in LT is uncomfortable to be used, in line with the
results from surveys and mismatch of the seat and student measurement data.
Development of ergonomic sofa design is a design process that has the basic framework specification and type of
material that is applied on the sofa design. This is due to human consumption that is closely related to ergonomic
design of this specification which will affect human physical. To achieve this goal, a survey involving 30 respondents
of sofa makers was conducted to get feedback regarding the sofa design specifications. Survey questions emphasize
on the basic specifications and material dimensions of sofa materials used. The results of data analysis show that the
size of basic dimensions and materials is essential in designing an ergonomic sofa. The survey is very important to
find out the basic specifications in the development of ergonomic design through perception of sofa maker.
Introduction: None of the identified studies employed quantitative scales correlating the knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy. Method: This study aimed to study the relationship between the knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy, using the Epilepsy Knowledge Questionnaire (EKQ) and the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale. Results: A total of 279 publics with a mean age of 36.6±14.7 years (ranged from 15-77 years), 50.8% female with majority (63.0%) Chinese, and 49.5% with tertiary education level, were recruited. The mean score of epilepsy knowledge questionnaire (EKQ) was 21.05±3.92 (95% CI: 20.57-21.48). Higher score in EKQ was associated with higher education level (p
Barium strontium titanate (Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3) powder was processed at temperature 80 o C by reacting titania sol in aqueous solutions that contained BaCl2, SrCl2 and NaOH at atmospheric pressure.
The structural characteristic of the powder and sintered pellet were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) whereas the electrical characteristic was determined via Impedance Spectroscopy (IS) and LCR meter. The synthesized powder was found to have a tetragonal phase after heating at 1300 o C. XRD pattern also showed the presence of secondary phase BaTi2O5 (BT2). The SEM results shows the fine grain size was in the range of 0.2 Pm to 0.4 Pm whereas the large ones are approximately 0.8 Pm to 1.2 Pm The ac response of sample sintered at 1300 o C indicated that three electrically different regions. Element 1 can be assigned as a ferroelectric grain boundary region and it is actually BT2, element 2 as a ferroelectric bulk region and the third element is a conductive core which has a low resistance (200 :) and capacitance value.
Tetragonal Y2O3 stabilized Zirconia (t-Y-ZrO2) powders were doped with Nb2O5 to seek a possibility if electronics doping would enhance the electronics conductivity of the insulating oxide. In this work Y2O3 was added as a stabilizer to produce tetragonal ZrO2 whereas Nb2O5 was added for the electronic doping. Several compositions of powders were prepared by thermal decomposition method and were post annealed at different temperatures. Precursor solutions were prepared from the mixture of zirconyl nitrate, yttrium nitrate and niobium tartarate as well as TEA (triethanolamine). The mixed solution were evaporated, pyrolysed and calcined to produce nanosized powders. The phase formation of the as-made powders was investigated by x-ray diffractometer. The additions of 7% Y2O3 were found to stabilize the tetragonal phase of zirconia.
The addition of Nb2O5 did not alter the stability of the tetragonal phase but it was found that the conductivity of the material has changed. The band gap as measured by the UV-Visible Spectrometer gave a value in the range of 2.97 to 5.01 eV. XRD was also used to deduce the crystallite size (by using Scherer’s equation) and transmission electron microcopy was used to view the particle sizes and shapes. The Nb doped t-Y-ZrO2 prepared in this work was to be nanosized crystal with size ranges from 7 nm to 15 nm.
In this study the intermetallic (IMC) thickness of Sn-Pb, Sn-Zn and Sn-Zn-Bi solders on copper (Cu) substrate were measured at different temperatures using reflow methods. Cu6Sn5 intermetallic phase was detected between Sn-Pb solder and Cu substrate. The J-Cu5Zn8 phase was detected between Sn-Zn and Sn-Zn-Bi lead-free solders with Cu substrate. The thickness of the intermetallics increases with temperature. The IMC thickness for Sn-8Zn-3Bi solder is lower than Sn-9Zn solder for all the soldering temperatures, indicating that Bi has suppressed the initial IMC formation.
Part of the Seremban flood mitigation project in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia is to mitigate
the flood at Jalan Rasah. The mitigation is planned to be implemented in packages. Package I and Package II of River Anak Air Rasah are parts of the project work. In these packages, wider and deeper concrete sections for the river are constructed. The existing undersized culverts were replaced by bigger reinforced concrete box culverts. The size of the box culverts was based on 100-years average reoccurrence interval (ARI). One of these culverts intersected with a rail line connecting Singapore and Malaysia. Trenchless jacking technique was used to lay the box culvert. The total length of the box culvert jacked under the railway line is 33 m, whereas the total width of the twin box culvert is 7.8 m with a total height of 3 m. This was the first time that the trenchless jacking techniques were used for the urban flood mitigation purpose in Malaysia, and it is mainly used to minimise traffic disruption. This study reports the success of using jacking technique in the development of the flood mitigation program of DID in Negeri Sembilan. Among other things, it explains significant performance of the technique under local conditions and experiences gained towards the advancement of tunnelling and trenchless technology.
Orofacial clefts are one of the most common congenital malformations among newborns. The two main types of oral clefts are cleft lip with or without cleft (CLP) and cleft palate alone (CP). Cleft is an abnormal ssure in an anatomical structure that is normally fused. Cleft lip is the congenital failure of the maxillary and medial nasal processes to fuse, forming a ssure in the lip. Cleft palate is the congenital failure of the palate to fuse properly, forming a ssure in the roof of the mouth (Mossey, 2009).clefts are one of the most common congenital malformations among newborns. The two main types of oral clefts are cleft lip with or without cleft (CLP) and cleft palate alone (CP). Cleft is an abnormal ssure in an anatomical structure that is normally fused. Cleft lip is the congenital failure of the maxillary and medial nasal processes to fuse, forming a ssure in the lip. Cleft palate is the congenital failure of the palate to fuse properly, forming a ssure in the roof of the mouth (Mossey, 2009).
Prevalence of diabetes is escalating both globally as well as in Malaysia. With the epidemic of diabetes and its related morbidities and mortalities, health care professionals are facing an unprecedented challenges in controlling the disease. Objective: To determine the metabolic control and the cardiovascular risk factors among type 2 diabetic patients in a primary care setting. Method: This was a cross sectional study conducted in a primary care clinic in Selangor, Malaysia. Inclusion criteria were all type 2 diabetic patients aged 18 and above and were being followed-up for more than six months prior to the recruiting period in May 2009. The demographic data were obtained through face- to-face interview. Height, weight and blood pressure of the patients were taken during the day of data collection. The co-morbidities and laboratory results were obtained from the medical records. Results: Two-hundred patients were recruited. The mean age was 58.6 (SD=10.5) with 79.0% of the patients aged more than 50 years old. The majority of the patients were female (62.5%). One-tenth (11.5%) were smokers. More than half of the patients (64.0%) had co-morbid of hypertension and half of them (50.5%) had dyslipidaemia. A total of 72.5% of the patients had 3 or more cardiovascular risk factors. Less than one fifth of the patients had achieved the target of control for glycaemia, blood pressure, LDL and BMI. Those age 60 and above had significantly higher proportion of patients achieving fasting blood glucose control (p=0.033). Conclusion: The majority of type 2 diabetic patients had multiple cardiovascular risk factors (3 or more risk factors) and had not achieved the recommended goals in
metabolic control.
A co-deposition of nickel-phosphorus-alumina (NiPA) composite coatings were obtained from an ordinary sulphate-based plating bath consisting of 5 g/l alumina (Al2O3) particles. The particles were dispersed by using mechanical agitation at 125 rpm. The presence of Ni3P and Al2O3 phases in the coatings was confirmed by XRD analysis. SEM/EDX results indicated that a smooth Ni3P coating was obtained and Al2O3 particles were embedded into the coating. Microscopic observation showed that the bonding between the Ni3P metal matrix and the Al2O3 ceramic particles was compact.
This paper presents the outcome of a laboratory investigation on mix design, resilient modulus, moisture susceptibility and rutting resistance of Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) and Dense Graded Asphalt (AC) that is incorporated with Nanosilica (NS) modified binder. Penetration Grade 60-70 (PEN60-70) types of binder were mixed with nanoparticles (NS) using concentration of 0wt%, 2wt%, 4wt% and 6wt% by weight of asphalt binder. The mixtures were tested for resilient modulus, indirect tensile strength and rutting, in order to evaluate the performance of NS-SMA and NS-AC. The results show that the existence of NS is capable of enhancing the performance of both asphalt mixtures, and the addition of NS decreases the susceptibility of moisture damage and provides better resistance against permanent deformation. Furthermore, the addition of 4wt% NS appears to be the most effective amount for the performance enhancement in AC and SMA mixtures.
The purpose of this study was to develop a simple, economical but efficient procedure to collect illuminance data in quantifying interior lighting. This study was carried out in 3.8 m × 2.9 m × 3.0 m controlled experimental room. Three approaches to measure illuminance level were examined: (1) rowto-row; (2) column-to-column; and (3) zig-zag direction. A pre-determined 34 measurement points was used for all the three approaches. The duration required to complete the illuminance data measurement was recorded in minutes. There was a statistically significant difference in the total time measured to complete the illuminance data measurement in three different approaches (F(2, 4) = 23266.81, p