Even though Malaysia is a relatively prosperous country amongst the developing nations, it is still be set by problems of a rapidly increasing population. The economic cake is also unevenly distributed and there are pockets of poverty in the slums surrounding the towns as well as in the rural areas. Added to that is the problem of ignorance and superstition especially amongst its adult population. It is due to these problems that the Child-to-Child programme has found special application in Malaysia. The Child-to-Child has been introduced through either the government agencies or the voluntary organizations. Through the Ministry of Education, the concept has found its ways through the schools and the state department of education. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also introduced the concept of Child-to-Child in the media. The voluntary organizations have also introduced the concept of Child-to-Child in their projects. The Sang Kancil project has to some extent used the idea in the running of its activities. The Health and Nutrition Education House have found that by applying the concept and using older children to help in running its activities, its over all objective which is the improvement of the health of the children in the slums could be reached more easily.
Surgical journals use videos for educational and promotional purposes. YouTube is a suitable social media platform for sharing videos of journal content. The Surgery journal experience on YouTube can be used to learn important information on the nature of video content, the measurement of performance, and the benefits and challenges of using YouTube to disseminate journal content. Video content can be created to deliver information and infotainment. The online performance of videos can be measured using various metrics on YouTube Analytics, including content views and engagement metrics. There are several benefits to the use of YouTube videos by surgical journals, including the dissemination of reliable information, language versatility and diversity, open access and portability, increased visibility for authors and journals, and the humanization of the journal interface. However, challenges also need to be overcome, including viewer discretion where graphic content is concerned, copyright protection, limitations of Internet connection bandwidth, algorithmic barriers imposed by YouTube itself, and violations of biomedical ethics.
Campylobacteriosis is a human infection primarily caused by Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. Consumption of contaminated chicken and poultry products is the main mode of transmission. These bacteria possess virulence factors, including adhesins and toxins, which contribute to their pathogenesis. Moreover, their large genomes undergo frequent genetic recombination, resulting in a high degree of genetic diversity. However, limited information is available regarding the virulence and genotypic diversity profiles of these microorganisms in the Philippines. The objective of this study was to address this knowledge gap by characterizing Campylobacter isolates obtained from chicken offal sold in wet markets in Metro Manila, Philippines. Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) analysis was performed to determine the sequence types, resulting in the identification of 13 unique sequence types, including nine previously unreported ones, and three clonal complexes. Notably, the widespread sequence type ST-305 was found in samples from different markets. Furthermore, six isolates deposited in the Campylobacter PubMLST database were identified as C. coli based on allele profiles. Profiling using 10 selected virulence genes revealed that more than half of the isolates carried these genes. The most prevalent virulence gene was cadF (100%), followed by flaA (95%), racR, cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC (85%). The genes dnaJ and ceuE were also present in 75% of the isolates. Despite the limited sample size, the findings of this study reveal a significant level of genotypic diversity among the Campylobacter isolates. This diversity has important implications for source attribution studies and the identification of strains involved in campylobacteriosis outbreaks. Furthermore, the investigation of virulence factors associated with colonization and invasion of the avian gut can provide insights for the development of practical applications in Campylobacter control strategies. Understanding and addressing these factors are crucial steps toward mitigating the risk of Campylobacter infections and enhancing public health efforts.
Power electronics and fuel cell technologies play an important role in the field of renewable energy. The demand for fuel cells will increase as fuel cells become the main power source for portable applications. In this application, a high-efficiency converter is an essential requirement and a key parameter of the overall system. This is because the size, cost, efficiency, and reliability of the overall system for portable applications primarily depend on the converter. Therefore, the selection of an appropriate converter topology is an important and fundamental aspect of designing a fuel cell system for portable applications as the converter alone plays a major role in determining the overall performance of the system. This paper presents a review of power electronics applications in fuel cell systems, which include various topology combinations of DC converters and AC inverters and which are primarily used in fuel cell systems for portable or stand-alone applications. This paper also reviews the switching techniques used in power conditioning for fuel cell systems. Finally, this paper addresses the current problem encountered with DC converters and AC inverter.
Multicriteria decision making (MCDM) is one of the methods that popularly has been used in solving personnel selection problem. Alternatives, criteria, and weights are some of the fundamental aspects in MCDM that need to be defined clearly in order to achieve a good result. Apart from these aspects, fuzzy data has to take into consideration that it may arise from unobtainable and incomplete information. In this paper, we propose a new approach for personnel selection problem. The proposed approach is based on Hamming distance method with subjective and objective weights (HDMSOW's). In case of vagueness situation, fuzzy set theory is then incorporated onto the HDMSOW's. To determine the objective weight for each attribute, the fuzzy Shannon's entropy is considered. While for the subjective weight, it is aggregated into a comparable scale. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the HDMSOW's.
Influence of deforestation on biodiversity of aquatic organisms was investigated in a stream in the Ulu Sedili Forest Reserve. The stream was monitored five (5) times from December 2011 until December 2012 with 2-month intervals. Sampling of benthic communities was carried out using rectangular dip net while water quality study using a YSI ProPlus meter and the rest were done in the laboratory. Physicochemical parameters and water quality index (WQI) calculation showed no significant difference among the investigated events. WQI classified the Berasau River between Class II (good) to III (moderate) of river water quality. In total, 603 individuals representing 25 taxa that were recorded with Decapods from genus Macrobrabchium were widely distributed. Several intolerant taxa, especially Ephemeroptera and Odonata, were also observed in this river. According to Pearson's correlation analysis, the richness and diversity indices were generally influenced by water quality parameters represented by WQI (P
A retrospective study was done on 302 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia--46.0% were Chinese, 40.1% were Malays and 11.6% were Indians. Overall and irrespective of race and sex, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia was 45.7%, 78.8% and 89.1% respectively indicating that hyperlipidaemia was the most prevalent risk factor amongst this cohort. The Indians had the highest prevalence of the three risk factors. The Chinese and the Malays most frequently presented with the combination of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia.
Pemprosesan logam separa pepejal yang juga dikenali sebagai pembentukan-tikso merupakan suatu kaedah pemprosesan
yang secara relatifnya adalah baharu jika dibandingkan dengan kaedah pemprosesan biasa seperti penuangan dan
penempaan. Sebelum pembentukan-tikso dapat dilakukan, aloi berkenaan perlu melalui langkah awal persediaan iaitu
dengan mengubah mikrostruktur asal berbentuk dendritik kepada bentuk hampir sfera. Ini diikuti dengan pemanasan
semula ke julat suhu separa pejal (iaitu sekitar 30-50% cecair) dan seterusnya proses ubah bentuk ke dalam acuan
menggunakan mesin penekanan hidraulik. Antara kaedah utama yang biasa digunakan bagi penyediaan bahan aloi
ini adalah tuangan cerun penyejukan, pengadukan mekanik dan kaedah terma langsung. Kajian ini memberi tumpuan
kepada evolusi mikrostruktur aloi aluminium A333 (Al-7.5Si-3.1Cu) daripada bentuk dendritik kepada hampir sfera
sebagai persediaan untuk diproses melalui pembentukan-tikso kelak. Kaedah tuangan cerun penyejukan digunakan
dalam kajian ini kerana kaedah ini diketahui berkesan tapi mudah digunakan. Nilai saiz ira dan faktor bentuk dianalisis
berdasarkan kepada suhu tuangan dan panjang cerun penyejukan berbeza yang digunakan. Di samping itu, kaedah
kalometri pengimbas perbezaan juga diguna pakai dalam mengenal pasti suhu sempadan pepejal dan sempadan cecair
aloi ini. Saiz ira fasa pepejal α-Al paling kecil dan nilai faktor bentuk terbaik yang diperoleh dalam kajian ini berlaku
pada suhu tuangan 620°C dan panjang cerun 300 mm, iaitu masing-masing pada 15.3 µm dan 0.54.
This study was performed to review the conceptualization and relationships among user
behaviour, system quality and intention to use eBidding, an eGovernment auction system with user
satisfaction as the moderator. From the theoretical framework, user behaviour and system quality
factors have significant relationships with the adoption of information system (IS). Empirical evidence
also shows that satisfaction has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between system
quality factors with the adoption of IS. Given the significant impact of behavioural factors of officials
in eBidding adoption and role satisfaction on the intention and use of eGovernment system, system
managers could introduce key changes in the workplace to increase satisfaction to address the problems
of low eBidding adoption among users.
Kanji Dioscorea pentaphylla telah diubah suai dengan pensulfatan dan peneutralan bagi menghasilkan natrium
kanji sulfat. Tindak balas pensulfatan dilakukan dengan asid sulfurik dalam etanol dan air pada suhu 0o
C. Darjah
penukargantian dikira berdasarkan peratus karbon dan sulfur yang ditentukan menggunakan penganalisis unsur CHNS.
Natrium kanji sulfat yang mempunyai darjah penukargantian dan peratus nisbah berat hasil yang tinggi dipilih dan
dicirikan dengan spektrum transformasi Fourier inframerah (FT-IR) dan profil pembelauan sinar-X (XRD). Kehadiran
dua puncak getaran regangan C-O-S dan S=O dalam spektrum FT-IR dan puncak berbeza yang terhasil dalam corak
difraktogram XRD membuktikan tindak balas berlaku pada struktur kanji. Sifat termal juga ditentukan dengan kalorimeter
pengimbas pembezaan (DSC) dan analisis termogravimetri (TGA). Natrium kanji sulfat yang dihasilkan mempunyai
kestabilan termal yang baik kerana mempunyai suhu penguraian pada 265o
C. Natrium kanji sulfat ini sesuai dijadikan
bahan tambahan dalam penghasilan hidrogel, organogel dan filem dengan sifat anionik kerana degradasi tidak terjadi
di bawah suhu ini.
Terrestrial radioactivity monitoring of 238U and 232Th series, and 40K in soil is an essential practice for radioactivity and radiation measurement of a place. In conventional practice, only basic data can be in-situ measured using a survey instrument, for example radioactivity concentration in soil and ambient dose equivalent rate. For other physical quantities, for example organ absorbed dose and organ equivalent dose, the measurement is impossible to be performed and can only be computed using Monte Carlo radiation transport simulations. In the past, most of the works only focused on calculating air-kerma-to-effective dose conversion factors. However, the information on organ dose conversion factors is scarcely documented and reported. This study was conducted to calculate organ absorbed and tissue-weighted equivalent dose conversion factors as a result of exposure from terrestrial gamma radiation. Series of organ dose conversion factors is produced based on computations from Monte Carlo MCNP5 simulations using modelled gamma irradiation geometry and established adult MIRD phantom. The study found out that most of the radiation exposed organs absorb energy at comparable rates, except for dense and superficial tissues i.e., skeleton and skin, which indicated slightly higher values. The good agreement between this work and previous studies demonstrated that our gamma irradiation geometry and modelling of gamma radiation sources are adequate. Therefore, the proposed organ dose conversion factors from this study are reasonably acceptable for dose estimation in environmental radioactivity monitoring practices.
Surgical site infection (SSI) after craniotomy even though rare, poses a real risk of surgery and represents a substantial burden of disease for both patients and healthcare services in terms of morbidity, mortality and economic cost. The knowledge of risk factor for surgical site infection after craniotomy will allow the authority to implement specific preventive measures to reduce the infection rate. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to determine the incidence and the risk factors of surgical site infection after craniotomy.
A study was carried out to assess carbon emission and carbon loss caused from land use change (LUC) of converting a wasteland into a Jatropha curcas plantation. The study was conducted for 12 months at a newly established Jatropha curcas plantation in Port Dickson, Malaysia. Assessments of soil carbon dioxide (CO(2)) flux, changes of soil total carbon and plant biomass loss and growth were made on the wasteland and on the established plantation to determine the effects of land preparation (i.e., tilling) and removal of the wasteland's native vegetation. Overall soil CO(2) flux showed no significant difference (P < 0.05) between the two plots while no significant changes (P < 0.05) on soil total carbon at both plots were detected. It took 1.5 years for the growth of Jatropha curcas to recover the biomass carbon stock lost during land conversion. As far as the present study is concerned, converting wasteland to Jatropha curcas showed no adverse effects on the loss of carbon from soil and biomass and did not exacerbate soil respiration.
Oxygenated fuel additives can be produced by acetylation of glycerol. A 91% glycerol conversion with a selectivity of 38%, 28% and 34% for mono-, di- and triacetyl glyceride, respectively, was achieved at 120 °C and 3 h of reaction time in the presence of a catalyst derived from activated carbon (AC) treated with sulfuric acid at 85 °C for 4h to introduce acidic functionalities to its surface. The unique catalytic activity of the catalyst, AC-SA5, was attributed to the presence of sulfur containing functional groups on the AC surface, which enhanced the surface interaction between the glycerol molecule and acyl group of the acetic acid. The catalyst was reused in up to four consecutive batch runs and no significant decline of its initial activity was observed. The conversion and selectivity variation during the acetylation is attributed to the reaction time, reaction temperature, catalyst loading and glycerol to acetic acid molar ratio.
Extended patient monitoring has become increasingly important for detection of cardiac conditions, such as irregularities in the rhythms of the heart, while patient is practicing normal daily activity. This paper presents a design of a single lead wireless cardiac rhythm interpretive instrument that capable of capture the electrocardiogram (ECG) in digital format and transmitted to a remote base-station (i.e. PC) for storage and further interpretation. The design has achieved high quality of ECG and free of interference in the presence of motion.
Intramuscular haemangioma is a rare tumour of the head and neck region. This patient presented with progressive painless swelling in the parotid region since she was three years old. Intramuscular haemangioma of the masseter was diagnosed at the age of 34 and she was successfully treated with surgical excision.
A case-control study was carried out in Alor Gajah to determine the socio-economic, dietary and lifestyle factors and the occurrence of pregnancy-induced hypertension. There were a total of 30 cases who were selected from antenatal mothers attending 3 selected health centers in 1998. The control group consisted of 30 antenatal mothers who were matched according to health centre, race and age. The results showed that pregnancy-induced hypertension was significantly associated with obesity (P < 0.05) and being a housewife (P < 0.05).
The subjective quality of life (QOL) of diabetic patients on oral hypoglycaemics was compared to schizophrenic patients who were well controlled with their antipsychotic medications. This comparison was made using the generic quality of life questionnaire produced by the World Health Organization QOL (WHOQOL) group, namely the WHOQOL-100. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the psychological well-being and level of independence between the two groups. However, such measures revealed that the most impaired aspect of well-being in the schizophrenic group was the social relationship. Subjective QOL assessment is able to reveal deficits or handicaps that are obscure and probably difficult to appreciate on objective social and clinical evaluation. Such findings are valuable in planning the rehabilitative need of schizophrenic patients in the community.