Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 578 in total

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  1. Yavari S, Malakahmad A, Sapari NB, Yavari S
    Water Sci Technol, 2017 Apr;75(7-8):1684-1692.
    PMID: 28402310 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2017.043
    Phytoremediation is an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative for treatment of nitrogen-enriched wastewaters. In this study, Ta-khian (Hopea odorata) and Lagos mahogany (Khaya ivorensis), two tropical timber plants, were investigated for their performances in treatment of urea manufacturing factory effluent with high nitrogen (N) content. Plant seedlings received four concentrations of N (190, 240, 290 and 340 mg/L N) in laboratory-scale constructed wetlands every 4 days for a duration of 8 weeks. The solution volumes supplied to each container, amount of N recovered by plants and plant growth characteristics were measured throughout the experiment. Results showed that Ta-khian plants were highly effective at reducing N concentration and volume of water. A maximum of 63.05% N recovery was obtained by Ta-khian plants grown in 290 mg/L N, which was assimilated in the chlorophyll molecule structure and shoot biomass. Significant positive correlations have been shown between N recovery percentages and plant growth parameters. Ta-Khian plants can be applied as suitable phytoremediators for mitigating N pollution in water sources.
  2. Shivdas S, Hashim MS, Ahmad TS
    J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong), 2018 10 4;26(3):2309499018802504.
    PMID: 30278809 DOI: 10.1177/2309499018802504
    PURPOSE: Our primary objectives were to create a reliable, noninvasive method for three-dimensional morphometry of deep bony parameters within the sigmoid notch of the distal radius, to identify its morphological patterns, and to identify any significant variation between the left and the right wrists. Our secondary objectives were to obtain morphometric values that could represent our population and to identify any possible ethnic variations.

    METHODS: Computed tomography scans of 102 wrists from 51 healthy individuals were analyzed using a virtualization software. Four anatomical parameters at the distal radius sigmoid notch, namely, the radius of curvature, depth, version angle, and sagittal slope were measured. Morphological patterns of the sigmoid notch surface were identified. The results were statistically analyzed to assess the reliability of the technique and were compared with previously published literature.

    RESULTS: Comparing our findings with previously published values, our study revealed a slightly larger radius of curvature and sagittal slope, while revealing a smaller depth and version. We identified the S-type, C-type, and ski-slope morphological variants. The flat-face morphological variant, however, was not identified. The sigmoid notch at the left and right wrists were similar, except for the radius of curvature.

    CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a noninvasive, fast, reliable, and reproducible technique for analyzing the sigmoid notch of the distal radius. In wrist injuries with intact distal radius sigmoid notch but involving comminuted fractures of the ulnar head, ulnar head replacement may be indicated. In such cases, analysis of the ipsilateral intact sigmoid notch would allow us to prepare an ulnar head prosthesis of appropriate size.

  3. Razak I, Chung TY, Ahmad TS
    J Altern Complement Med, 2019 Aug;25(8):861-867.
    PMID: 31211607 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2019.0052
    Objectives:
    The study aims to assess, evaluate, and compare the efficacy of acupressure and hypnotherapy in the management of pain in patients presenting with chronic brachial neuralgia (CBN).
    Design:
    Randomized controlled trial.
    Settings/location:
    Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
    Subjects:
    Forty patients with CBN following traumatic brachial plexus injury from 2012 to 2017.
    Intervention:
    Therapy for a duration of 1 month in two groups; subjects in the hypnotherapy group received a weekly session of clinical hypnotherapy (total of four times) using a standardized protocol, while subjects in the acupressure group were guided by an acupuncturist during the initial session, received 2 month take home supply of acupressure patches, and were reviewed fortnightly.
    Outcome measures:
    The Visual Analog Scale, the Brief Pain Inventory, and the SF-36v2® Health Survey were recorded at different time points; 1 month pretreatment (week 0), pretreatment (week 4), post-treatment (week 8), and 4 months post-treatment (week 20).
    Results:
    There was a statistically significant improvement in the average pain intensity from pretreatment to post-treatment score in both groups. The pain intensity increased 4 months later; however, the pain intensity was still significantly reduced in comparison with pretreatment scores. The study suggests that both treatment outcomes are effective in terms of alleviating pain and improving quality of life in subjects with CBN, to a different degree.
    Conclusion:
    Overall, both therapies were able to improve the pain intensity and quality of life significantly during the treatment period. Hypnotherapy was observed to have a better carryover effect compared to acupressure, especially in terms of improving quality of life and the mental component score.
  4. Chee WH, Gunasagaran J, Ahmad TS
    Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir, 2020 Jun;52(3):176-181.
    PMID: 32531783 DOI: 10.1055/a-1170-5590
    ZIEL: Diese Studie vergleicht die klinischen Ergebnisse nach Delta-Draht-Technik (Gruppe 1 = 7 Patienten) mit den Ergebnissen nach Extensions-Block-Pinning (Gruppe 2 = 11 Patienten) in der Behandlung des knöchernen Mallet-Fingers.

    PATIENTEN UND METHODEN: Sechs Monate postoperativ wurde bei allen Patienten das klinische Ergebnis nach den Crawford-Kriterien, die Schmerzen anhand einer visuellen Analogskale (VAS) und der DASH-Score ermittelt. Zusätzlich wurden die aktive Beweglichkeit und das Extensionsdefizit im Endgelenk sowie aufgetretene Komplikationen festgehalten.

    ERGEBNISSE: Patienten der Gruppe 1 hatten eine signifikant bessere Beugung im Fingerendgelenk, aber auch ein signifikant größeres Extensionsdefizit, obwohl sie signifikant früher ihre Arbeit wiederaufnahmen. Nach den Crawford-Kriterien erzielten 71 % der Patienten der Gruppe 1 und 100 % der Gruppe 2 ein exzellentes und gutes Ergebnis. Keine Unterschiede konnten bzgl. der OP-Dauer, der Schmerzen, dem DASH-Score und der Zeit bis zur knöchernen Heilung festgestellt werden.

    SCHLUSSFOLGERUNG: In der Kurzzeitbeobachtung werden mit Extension-Block-Pinning bessere Ergebnisse in der Behandlung des knöchernen Strecksehnenausriss am Fingerendglied erzielt als mit der Delta-Draht-Technik.

  5. Daraghma SMA, Talebi S, Periasamy V
    Eur Phys J E Soft Matter, 2020 Jun 19;43(6):40.
    PMID: 32557121 DOI: 10.1140/epje/i2020-11965-8
    Understanding the charge transfer mechanism through deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules remains a challenge for numerous theoretical and experimental studies in order to be utilized in nanoelectronic devices. Various methods have attempted to investigate the conductivity of double-stranded (ds-) and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) molecules. However, different electronic behaviors of these molecules are not clearly understood due to the complexity and lack of accuracy of the methods applied in these studies. In this work however, we demonstrated an electronic method to study the electrical behavior of synthetic ssDNA or dsDNA integrated within printed circuit board (PCB)-based metal (gold)-semiconductor (DNA) Schottky junctions. The results obtained in this work are in agreement with other studies reporting dsDNA as having higher conductivity than ssDNA as observed by us in the range of 4-6μA for the former and 2-3μA for the latter at an applied bias of 3V. Selected solid-state parameters such as turn-on voltage, series resistance, shunt resistance, ideality factor, and saturation current were also calculated for the specifically designed ss- and dsDNA sequences using the thermionic emission model. The results also showed that the highest conductance was observed for dsDNA with guanine and cytosine base pairs, while the lowest conductance was for ssDNA with adenine and thymine bases. We believe the results of this preliminary work involving the gold-DNA Schottky junction may allow the interrogation of DNA charge transfer mechanisms and contribute to better understanding its elusive electronic properties.
  6. Mosapour Kotena Z, Razi M, Ahmadi S
    J Mol Model, 2021 Oct 09;27(11):315.
    PMID: 34625848 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-021-04916-9
    Rare sugars are monosaccharides with tremendous potential for applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, nutraceutical, and flavors industries. The four rare sugars, including gulose, allose, altrose, and talose, are stereoisomers that are different in the hydroxyl group orientation (axial or equatorial) on the C2-4 atoms. The basis sets effect in evaluation of the possibility intramolecular hydrogen bonding (H-bonds) in the selected rare sugars was studied from 6-31G* to 6-311 ++ G(d,p) basis sets using DFT, AIM, and NBO methods. The results show that the selected rare sugars are more stable at 6-311 ++ G(d,p) basis sets compared to 6-31G* because their electronic energies were reduced between 158 and 164 (kcal.mol-1). The overall effect of basis set enhancement is to decrease H-bond energies in the range of  1.25 to 2.51 (kcal.mol-1) and stabilization energies between 2 and 5 (kcal.mol-1) in the selected rare sugars at the DFT level of theory. The intramolecular H-bond distances, H-bond energies obtained from the AIM analysis, and also the second-order stabilization energies obtained from the NBO analysis were fluctuated largely depending on the basis set. In summary, it was found that the use of 6-311 ++ G(d,p) basis set to be more efficient results in rare sugars geometry than the 6-31G* basis set.
  7. Ghafourian S, Sadeghifard N, Soheili S, Sekawi Z
    Curr Issues Mol Biol, 2015;17:11-21.
    PMID: 24821872
    Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are defined as enzymes produced by certain bacteria that are able to hydrolyze extended spectrum cephalosporin. They are therefore effective against beta-lactam antibiotics such as ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and oxyimino-monobactam. The objective of the current review is to provide a better understanding of ESBL and the epidemiology of ESBL producing organisms which are among those responsible for antibiotic resistant strains. Globally, ESBLs are considered to be problematic, particularly in hospitalized patients. There is an increasing frequency of ESBL in different parts of the world. The high risk patients are those contaminated with ESBL producer strains as it renders treatment to be ineffective in these patients. Thus, there an immediate needs to identify EBSL and formulate strategic policy initiatives to reduce their prevalence.
  8. Yavari S, Malakahmad A, Sapari NB, Yavari S
    J Environ Manage, 2017 Feb 18;193:201-210.
    PMID: 28226259 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.02.035
    Imidazolinones are a family of herbicides that are used to control a broad range of weeds. Their high persistence and leaching potential make them probable risk to the ecosystems. In this study, biochar, the biomass-derived solid material, was produced from oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and rice husk (RH) through pyrolysis process. Feedstock and pyrolysis variables can control biochar sorption capacity. Therefore, the present study attempts to evaluate effects of three pyrolysis variables (temperature, heating rate and retention time) on abilities of biochars for removal of imazapic and imazapyr herbicides from soil. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for optimizing the variables to achieve maximum sorption performance of the biochars. Experimental data were interpreted accurately by quadratic models. Based on the results, sorption capacities of both biochars raised when temperature decreased to 300 °C, mainly because of increased biochars effective functionality in sorption of polar molecules. Heating rate of 3°C/min provided optimum conditions to maximize the sorption capacities of both biochars. Retention time of about 1 h and 3 h were found to be the best for EFB and RH biochars, respectively. EFB biochar was more efficient in removal of the herbicides, especially imazapyr due to its chemical composition and higher polarity index (0.42) rather than RH biochar (0.39). Besides, higher cation exchange capacity (CEC) values of EFB biochar (83.90 cmolc/kg) in comparison with RH biochar (70.73 cmolc/kg) represented its higher surface polarity effective in sorption of the polar herbicides.
  9. Alhasan D, Fakhraldeen M, Alqabandi S, Alajmi M
    Open Access Emerg Med, 2022;14:639-648.
    PMID: 36471824 DOI: 10.2147/OAEM.S382744
    BACKGROUND: School cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training has not been previously implemented nor studied in the Arabian Peninsula, and this is due to the challenges that this training imposes. This study aims to determine high school teacher perspectives, willingness, and barriers as related to CPR student training in high schools.

    METHODS: An anonymous, voluntary, cross-sectional electronic questionnaire, primarily based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) was distributed to high school principals and teachers from 20 local (public and private) high schools between October and December 2021. The questionnaire was a 4-part (demographics, willingness, barriers, implementation approach), 23-variable tool.

    RESULTS: Eighty-four out of 88 participants were included in the analysis from 20 high schools. The overall willingness to teach CPR to students was 4.2 ± 0.9, and this willingness was significantly associated with being a female (p = 0.019), being a teacher (p = 0.036), having a family history of cardiovascular disease (p = 0.007), previous school CPR campaigns (p = 0.02), and all TPB factors: attitude (p = 0.001), subjective norms (p = 0.011), and perceived behaviour control (p = 0.007). As for perceived barriers, there was moderate concern regarding the absence of the Good Samaritan law (3.8 ± 1.1) and CoVID-19 transmission (3.5 ± 1.3). High school teaching staff recommended formal legislation of CPR training from the Ministry of Education (MoE) and favoured CPR training delivery by healthcare professionals. However, they were willing to conduct CPR training themselves with regular training, material integration into the curriculum, and online teaching material access.

    CONCLUSION: High school teachers are willing to teach students CPR. They need MoE legislation, appropriate training, online material, and a standardized database. Teaching staff also recommend specific training session settings. CoVID-19 and Good Samaritan law are moderate barriers. A number of factors influence teaching staff willingness to conduct CPR training. From this analysis, we recommend piloting CPR training in Kuwait high schools with consideration to the identified influential factors and barriers.

  10. Yavari S, Malakahmad A, Sapari NB, Yavari S
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2018 Apr;25(12):11351-11363.
    PMID: 29417482 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1345-3
    Phytoremediation has been applied as a promising and cost-effective technique for removing nutrient pollutants from wastewater. In this study, the effect of fullerene C60 was assessed on enhancing the phytoremediation efficiency of teak plants over a period of 1 month. Teak plants were supplied with fullerene C60 (0, 25, or 50 mg L-1) and fed daily with two types of urea plant wastewater (with and without adding optimum ratio of phosphorus and potassium). The required volume of wastewater by the teak plants, nitrogen removal percentage, plant growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, leaf surface area, and dry biomass), and nutrient content was recorded throughout the study. The results showed that addition of 25 mg L-1 fullerene C60 to urea plant wastewater could increase water uptake and nitrogen recovery of the teak plants. Plant growth and nutrient contents of teak plants were also increased in the presence of 25 mg L-1 fullerene C60. However, addition of 50 mg L-1 fullerene C60 to the wastewater decreased the values for water uptake and nitrogen recovery. The findings indicated that addition of proper amount of fullerene C60 to the teak-based remediation system can increase the efficiency of the plants for nitrogen removal.
  11. Pourshahrestani S, Zeimaran E, Fauzi MB
    Biomater Sci, 2024 May 15.
    PMID: 38747970 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01792c
    The treatment of various types of wounds such as dermal wounds, multidrug resistant bacteria-infected wounds, and chronic diabetic wounds is one of the critical challenges facing healthcare systems. Delayed wound healing can impose a remarkable burden on patients and health care professionals. In this case, given their unique three-dimensional porous structure, biocompatibility, high hydrophilicity, capability to provide a moist environment while absorbing wound exudate, permeability to both gas and oxygen, and tunable mechanical properties, hydrogels with antibacterial function are one of the most promising candidates for wound healing applications. Polylysine is a cationic polymer with the advantages of inherent antibacterial properties, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. Therefore, its utilization to engineer antibacterial hydrogels for accelerating wound healing is of great interest. In this review, we initially discuss polylysine properties, and then focus on the most recent advances in polylysine-containing hydrogels (since 2016) prepared using various chemical and physical crosslinking methods for hemostasis and wound healing applications. Finally, the challenges and future directions in the engineering of these antibacterial hydrogels for wound healing are discussed.
  12. Munawar K, Kuhn SK, Haque S
    PLoS One, 2018;13(12):e0208595.
    PMID: 30533033 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208595
    One of the most consistently observed phenomena in autobiographical memory research is the reminiscence bump: a tendency for middle-aged and elderly people to access more personal memories from approximately 10-30 years of age. This systematic review (PROSPERO 2017:CRD42017076695) aimed to synthesize peer-reviewed literature pertaining to the reminiscence bump. The researchers conducted searches in nine databases for studies published between the date of inception of each database and the year 2017. Keywords used included: reminiscence, bump, peak, surge, blip, reminiscence effect, and reminiscence component. Sixty-eight quantitative studies, out of 523, met the inclusion criteria. The researchers implemented a thematic analytic technique for data extraction. Four main themes were generated: methods of memory activation/instruction for life scripts, types of memory/life scripts recalled, location of the reminiscence bump, and theoretical accounts for the bump. The two prevailing methods of memory activation implemented were the cuing method and important memories method. Three types of memories/life scripts were recalled: personal/autobiographical memory, memories for public events, and life script events. The findings illustrate differing temporal periods for the bump: approximately 10-30 years for memories for important events, approximately 5-30 years for memories that were induced by word cues, and 6-39 years for studies using life scripts. In explaining the bump, the narrative/identity account and cultural life script account received the most support.
  13. Elmahdi S, DaSilva LV, Parveen S
    Food Microbiol, 2016 Aug;57:128-34.
    PMID: 27052711 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2016.02.008
    Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus are the leading causes of seafood associated infections and mortality in the United States. The main syndromes caused by these pathogens are gastroenteritis, wound infections, and septicemia. This article reviewed the antibiotic resistance profile of V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus in the United States and other countries including Italy, Brazil, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, China, India, Iran, South Africa and Australia. The awareness of antimicrobial resistance of these two pathogens is not as well documented as other foodborne bacterial pathogens. Vibrio spp. are usually susceptible to most antimicrobials of veterinary and human significance. However, many studies reported that V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus showed multiple-antibiotic resistance due to misuse of antibiotics to control infections in aquaculture production. In addition, both environmental and clinical isolates showed similar antibiotic resistance profiles. Most frequently observed antibiotic resistance profiles involved ampicillin, penicillin and tetracycline regardless of the countries. The presence of multiple-antibiotic resistant bacteria in seafood and aquatic environments is a major concern in fish and shellfish farming and human health.
  14. Chew S, Lai PSM, Ng CJ
    JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 2020 Jan 31;8(1):e15146.
    PMID: 32003748 DOI: 10.2196/15146
    BACKGROUND: To date, several medication adherence apps have been developed. However, the existing apps have been developed without involving relevant stakeholders and were not subjected to mobile health app guidelines. In addition, the usability and utility of these apps have not been tested with end users.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the usability and utility testing of a newly developed medication adherence app-Med Assist-among ambulatory care patients in Malaysia.

    METHODS: The Med Assist app was developed based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Nielson usability model. Beta testing was conducted from March to May 2016 at a primary care clinic in Kuala Lumpur. Ambulatory care patients who scored ≥40% on the electronic health literacy scale, were aged ≥21 years, and were taking two or more long-term medications were recruited. Two rounds of in-depth interviews were conducted with each participant. The first interview, which was conducted upon participant recruitment, was to assess the usability of Med Assist. Participants were asked to download Med Assist on their phone and perform two tasks (register themselves on Med Assist and enter at least one medication). Participants were encouraged to "concurrently think aloud" when using Med Assist, while nonverbal cues were observed and recorded. The participants were then invited for a second interview (conducted ≥7 days after the first interview) to assess the utility of Med Assist after using the app for 1 week. This was done using "retrospective probing" based on a topic guide developed for utilities that could improve medication adherence.

    RESULTS: Usability and utility testing was performed for the Med Assist app (version P4). A total of 13 participants were recruited (6 men, 7 women) for beta testing. Three themes emerged from the usability testing, while three themes emerged from the utility testing. From the usability testing, participants found Med Assist easy to use and user friendly, as they were able to complete the tasks given to them. However, the details required when adding a new medication were found to be confusing despite displaying information in a hierarchical order. Participants who were caregivers as well as patients found the multiple-user support and pill buddy utility useful. This suggests that Med Assist may improve the medication adherence of patients on multiple long-term medications.

    CONCLUSIONS: The usability and utility testing of Med Assist with end users made the app more patient centered in ambulatory care. From the usability testing, the overall design and layout of Med Assist were simple and user friendly enough for participants to navigate through the app and add a new medication. From the participants' perspectives, Med Assist was a useful and reliable tool with the potential to improve medication adherence. In addition, utilities such as multiple user support and a medication refill reminder encouraged improved medication management.

  15. Khan S, Kuhn SK, Haque S
    Front Psychiatry, 2021;12:658700.
    PMID: 34149479 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.658700
    Research examining trauma, memory, and mental health among refugee and asylum-seeking people has increased in recent years. We systematically reviewed empirical work focusing on the link between autobiographical memory and mental health among these populations. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018095888). Six major databases were searched in August-2020 with no time limit for publication. Following PRISMA Statement guidelines, 22 articles reporting ten quantitative, nine qualitative, and three mixed-method studies were selected from 254 articles identified in the initial search. A basic convergent and qualitative meta-integration technique was employed for data extraction. Four recurrent themes were extracted: (1) memory activation method, (2) memory features, (3) memory content, and (4) refugee mental health. Theme 1 illustrates that narrative interviews, important event recall, and cue word methods were used in most studies. Theme 2 highlights that memories of refugee people were often less specific, inconsistent, and negative-focused. Retrieval failure was also common among these people. Theme 3 reveals that refugee and asylum-seeking people frequently discussed their abandoned identities, lost resources, injustices, ongoing sufferings, and pointless futures. Finally, theme 4 identifies the prevalence of various mental health conditions like Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, helplessness, and anger among these people. The results are discussed in the context of the current autobiographical memory and mental health theories, considering refugee-specific experiences in the asylum process and refugee status.
  16. Fazwi R, Chandran PA, Ahmad TS
    Malays Orthop J, 2011 Nov;5(3):8-12.
    PMID: 25279028 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1111.007
    ABSTRACT: Glomus tumours (GT), neoplasms of the glomus body comprise 4.5% of upper limb tumours. Seventy-five per cent of these occur in the hand, and most are subungual (50%). We performed a literature review and retrospective search of histopathologically confirmed GT seen from 1995 to 2009. Fifteen patients were identified, with an average age of 49.6 years. Eight were in the hand, 2 in the upper limb, 2 lower limb and 3 in the ear. Eighty-six per cent presented with pain and 50% underwent radiological investigation. Most diagnoses followed biopsy findings. Surgical excision resulted in a recurrence rate of 13%. The average time to diagnosis was 3.3 years. The average duration of symptoms was 7 to 11 years with an average of 2 to 3 consultations prediagnosis. MRI remains the most useful imaging modality (82 to 90% sensitivity). Excision biopsy is the most common treatment. Greater awareness is needed for quicker diagnosis.

    KEY WORDS: Glomus Tumour, Presentation, Imaging, Recurrence.

  17. Ahmad TS, Ahmad AA, Abdullah S
    J Hand Microsurg, 2021 Jan;13(1):21-26.
    PMID: 33707919 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721942
    We have all heard the old aphorism, "Necessity is the mother of invention." While the provenance of the proverb is uncertain, its truth is not in doubt. This is true for the development of hand surgery in Malaysia. As part of the management for leprosy, patients with high ulnar nerve palsies were managed by the pioneers of hand surgery in Malaysia. They did tendon transfers to improve the quality of life of these patients. Since then, hand surgery in Malaysia have grown leaps and bounds. From a small humble beginning in the suburb of Sungai Buloh to organizing the 10th Congress of Asian Pacific Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand, hand surgery in Malaysia will only get better with time.
  18. Wan Nur Anis Wan Draman, Addina Mat Baki, Hashimah Ismail, Shamina Sara Moses, Irfan Mohamad
    MyJurnal
    Choanal atresia is an uncommon malformation of the upper airway. Bilateral choanal atresia usually detected earlier as it is often associated with severe asphyxia immediately after birth. The diagnosis is often delayed in unilateral type, and mostly presented with unilateral chronic nasal discharge. This condition is rarely encountered but should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis of persistent nasal discharge. We present a case of unilateral congenital choanal atresia in a 4-month-old baby girl presented with persistent unilateral nasal discharge. Diagnostic investigation and possible surgical treatment techniques were discussed.
  19. Bibie Sara Salleh, Jasni Md Noor, Riza Atiq O.K Rahmat, Amiruddin Ismail
    MyJurnal
    This paper presents a development of an expert system to be used as an advisory in finding the solution to problems which are normally solved by human experts. The E-ACTIVETRANS is developed to help young engineers/planners in designing a new cycle lane in urban areas and also to help in reallocation of an existing roadway space for cycle lanes. This system has three sub-systems: Planning on Strategies to Shift from Passive Transportation to Active Transportation, Design on Bicycle Facilities and Examples of Successful Implementation. This paper focuses on the design of bicycle facilities whereby the prototype was developed based on data acquired from the domain experts who are involved in bicycle facility module design, as well as the initial text analysis obtained during the domain familiarisation stage. The validation of the system was performed through a comparison of knowledge content in E-ACTIVETRANS based on expert opinion. The average level of acceptance is 91 percent which validates the system and knowledge of the experts.
  20. Sara Azuana Khalidah Khalid, Ferdaus Mohamat Yusuff, Faradiella Mohd Kusin, Aziz Arshad, Asha’ari, Zulfa Hanan
    MyJurnal
    Sediment has been widely used as a means for assessing the impact of anthropogenic activities on aquatic environment, with metal pollution being the most well-known threat to aquatic environments. Therefore the aim of this study is to identify and determine metal concentrations, specifically that of copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) on four sediment cores samples of KongKong Laut Masai Johor. The aqua regia method had been used to analyze Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe and Zn concentrations in sediment samples. Metal concentrations had then been determined through the use of flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The degree of metal contamination in sediment core samples had been determined through using Enrichment Factors (EF) and Geoaccumulation Indices (Igeo). From this study, the mean and standard deviation of metal concentrations in each sediment core sample were shown to be lower than the average shale concentration and lower than both the effects-range low (ERL) and effects-range median (ERM) parameters for aquatic toxicity. This information could be useful, serving as a baseline for evaluating the potential impacts of future development in the area.
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