Displaying publications 981 - 1000 of 7255 in total

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  1. Rahman MK, Bhuiyan MA, Zailani S
    Patient Prefer Adherence, 2021;15:2633-2646.
    PMID: 34866903 DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S333595
    Background: The study has aimed to investigate the Muslim patient's psychological factors related to healthcare services that influence their loyalty intention for further treatment at private hospitals in Malaysia.

    Methods: Data were collected from private hospitals in Klang Valley. A total of 379 responses from patients were analysed using the structural equation modelling approach.

    Results: The findings revealed that administrative behaviour, nurse's services and Shariah amenities have a highly significant impact on satisfaction. The healthcare technicality, hospital environment and physician's services have a significant relationship with patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction has a significant impact on patient loyalty to healthcare services at the hospital. Administrative behaviour, physicians' services and healthcare technicality have a direct and positive relationship with loyalty intention, while Shariah amenity has a negative significant relationship with loyalty.

    Conclusion: The results have important implications for product development and managerial considerations in hospitals. Service providers need to be mindful that all aspects, including Shariah amenities and generic healthcare service delivery, are important and need to be balanced and delivered satisfactorily to ensure customer satisfaction.

  2. Abdul-Latiff MAB, Md-Zain BM
    Zool Stud, 2021;60:e50.
    PMID: 35003344 DOI: 10.6620/ZS.2021.60-50
    The pig-tailed macaque, Macaca nemestrina, which is distributed in Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Borneo, and Sumatra, has been the subject of unstable and changing taxonomic entity in the M. nemestrina group. This species is involved with a human-macaque conflict in Malaysia and at the same time played an important role in the ethnozoological culture of Malaysian. Even so, comprehensive phylogenetic, population genetics and biogeographical analysis of M. nemestrina in Malaysia are non-existent after decades of intensive research on the genus itself. Thus, we conducted the first comprehensive genetic study of M. nemestrina in Malaysia, based on three mitochondrial loci-Cytochrome b (567 bp), D-loop (398 bp), and COI (577 bp)-from 27 individuals representing Malaysia, plus an additional 26 sequences of Southeast Asian macaques from Genbank. Comparative biogeographical analysis in this study supports the positions of M. nemestrina in M. nemestrina groups as opposed to the silenus or Sulawesi groups. Results from this study also indicate that Bornean populations are the first extant lineages to separate from the other examined lineages of M. nemestrina, M. leonina, M. pagensis, and M. siberu in Southeast Asia. Molecular clock analysis suggested that M. nemestrina arrived in the Malay Peninsula about 0.32 million years ago (MYA). Our results indicate that the population of pig-tailed macaque from Perak (west Peninsular Malaysia) differs genetically based on all phylogenetic and population genetic analyses. Morphologically, Perak's pig-tailed macaque shows brighter coloration than M. n. nemestrina. Thus, we proposed a new subspecies for Perak's pig-tailed macaque as Macaca nemestrina perakensis distributed in the state of Perak, Peninsular Malaysia. This research helps resolve the taxonomic position and population genetics of pig-tailed macaque in Malaysia, which contribute directly to conservation and management of the species in Malaysia.
  3. Hanis TM, Islam MA, Musa KI
    Curr Med Chem, 2021 Nov 07.
    PMID: 34749608 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666211108110731
    BACKGROUND: Rapid advancement in computing technology and digital information leads to the possible use of machine learning on breast cancer.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the research output of the top 100 publications and further identify a research theme of breast cancer and machine-learning studies.

    METHODS: Databases of Scopus and Web of Science were used to extract the top 100 publications. These publications were filtered based on the total citation of each paper. Additionally, a bibliometric analysis was applied to the top 100 publications.

    RESULTS: The top 100 publications were published between 1993 and 2019. The most productive author was Giger ML, and the top two institutions were the University of Chicago and the National University of Singapore. The most active countries were the USA, Germany and China. Ten clusters were identified as both basic and specialised themes of breast cancer and machine learning.

    CONCLUSION: Various countries demonstrated comparable interest in breast cancer and machine-learning research. A few Asian countries, such as China, India and Singapore, were listed in the top 10 countries based on the total citation. Additionally, the use of deep learning and breast imaging data was trending in the past 10 years in the field of breast cancer and machine-learning research.

  4. Ainou FZ, Ali M, Sadiq M
    PMID: 35156164 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19153-7
    Morocco is an energy-deficient country depending on almost 94% of energy imports to fuel its growing economy. Due to its fast-growing population, Morocco's energy consumption is projected to increase significantly, adding more pressure on the energy system. On the other hand, the rising tension of scarcity of resources, energy price fluctuations, and environmental issues have all made energy security one of its top priorities. Therefore, Morocco launched the National Energy Strategy (NES) in 2009 to reach 42% renewable generation by 2020, which was renewed to up to 52% by 2050. This study analyzes Morocco's energy security under the 4-As framework from 2000 to 2016.The 4-As methodology aims to assess and graphically illustrate the changes in Morocco's energy security by mapping these changes into four key dimensions: the availability of energy resources, the applicability of technology, the acceptability by the environment and society, and the affordability of energy resources. The quantitative analysis shows that Morocco's energy security performance was at its optimum during the first period of study (2000-2004) but then regressed for the remainder of the study period, as energy imports and prices increased, in addition to the low performance in applicability characterized by low energy efficiency. To improve Morocco's energy security status and move toward a sustainable energy transition, this study suggests integrating a higher share of renewable energy into the energy mix and boosting efficient technologies through a large scale of green finance and green investment projects.
  5. Daghash H, Abdullah KL, Ismail MD
    Qual Manag Health Care, 2022 02 16;31(3):114-121.
    PMID: 35180731 DOI: 10.1097/QMH.0000000000000336
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A care pathway is a structured care plan based on best clinical practice for a particular patient group. It reorganizes a complex process by providing structured, standardized care and supportive multidisciplinary teamwork. Although care pathways are used worldwide, the impact and benefit of a care pathway for coronary care practices have been minimally debated. This preliminary study aimed to examine the effect of a care pathway on the autonomy, teamwork, and burnout levels among coronary care nurses in a tertiary hospital.

    METHODS: A preliminary study was conducted using a pre/posttest one-group quasi-experimental design. A self-administered questionnaire was provided to 37 registered nurses from the cardiac ward of a tertiary hospital. The care pathway was developed on the basis of the current literature, local guidelines, and expert panel advice. The autonomy, teamwork, and burnout levels at the beginning and 4 months after disseminating the care pathway were measured. Implementing the care pathway included educational sessions, training in using the care pathway, and site visits to monitor nursing practices.

    RESULTS: Most of the respondents were female (94.6%; n = 35), the median age of the respondents was 26.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 23-31), and the median length of the clinical experience was 4 years (IQR = 2-8). A statistically significant reduction in the mean burnout score was observed (mean of 58.12 vs 52.69, P < .05). A slight improvement in autonomy level was found, although it was not statistically significant. No statistically significant improvement was found in the teamwork levels.

    CONCLUSION: The care pathway was associated with reduced nurse burnout. The results showed a slight improvement in autonomy level among coronary care nurses after implementing the care pathway. From a practical viewpoint, the current study can help policy makers and managers reduce burnout. This study highlights the importance of using care pathways as a tool to reorganize the care process and improve the working environment. Managers must support nursing decisions and provide continuous education to enhance nurses' autonomy, which may increase understanding of respective roles, leading to higher levels of teamwork. However, with a small sample size, caution must be applied, as the findings might not be generalizable.

  6. Ashraf MA, Maah MJ, Yusoff I
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2012;2012:369206.
    PMID: 22761549 DOI: 10.1100/2012/369206
    Bestari Jaya, former tin mining catchment covers an area of 2656.31 hectares comprised of four hundred and forty-two different-size lakes and ponds. The present study area comprise of 92 hectares of the catchment that include four large size lakes. Arc GIS version 9.2 used to develop bathymetric map, Global Positioning System (GPS) for hydrographical survey and flow meter was utilized for water discharge analysis (flow routing) of the catchment. The water quality parameters (pH, temperature, electric conductivity, dissolved oxygen DO, total dissolved solids TDS, chlorides, ammonium, nitrates) were analyzed by using Hydrolab. Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures were strictly followed throughout the field work and data analysis. Different procedures were employed to evaluate the analytical data and to check for possible transcription or dilution errors, changes during analysis, or unusual or unlikely values. The results obtained are compared with interim national water quality standards for Malaysia indicates that water quality of area is highly degraded. It is concluded that Bestri Jaya ex-mining catchment has a high pollution potential due to mining activities and River Ayer Hitam, recipient of catchment water, is a highly polluted river.
  7. Maj MK, Ar AH, Das S
    Chang Gung Med J, 2011;34(6 Suppl):13-6.
    PMID: 22490452
    A slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) is a known hip disorder in adolescents in which the proximal femoral epiphysis slips and displaces relative to the metaphysis. We report an obese 12-year-old boy who presented with acute pain in the left hip after a fall. He was otherwise healthy with no prior joint pain. Pelvic radiography was misread twice before a second fall led to a severe SUFE.
  8. Pasha MF, Hong KS, Rajeswari M
    PMID: 22255503 DOI: 10.1109/IEMBS.2011.6091280
    Automating the detection of lesions in liver CT scans requires a high performance and robust solution. With CT-scan start to become the norm in emergency department, the need for a fast and efficient liver lesions detection method is arising. In this paper, we propose a fast and evolvable method to profile the features of pre-segmented healthy liver and use it to detect the presence of liver lesions in emergency scenario. Our preliminary experiment with the MICCAI 2007 grand challenge datasets shows promising results of a fast training time, ability to evolve the produced healthy liver profiles, and accurate detection of the liver lesions. Lastly, the future work directions are also presented.
  9. Ayoub M, Khayoon MS, Abdullah AZ
    Bioresour Technol, 2012 May;112:308-12.
    PMID: 22437049 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.02.103
    The synthesis of oxygenated fuel additives via solvent freebase-catalyzed etherification of glycerol is reported. The products of glycerol etherification arediglycerol (DG) and triglycerol (TG) with DG being the favorable one. The catalytic activity of different homogeneous alkali catalysts (LiOH, NaOH, KOH and Na(2)CO(3)) was investigated during the glycerol etherification process. LiOH exhibited an excellent catalytic activity during this reaction, indicated by the complete glycerol conversion with a corresponding selectivity of 33% toward DG. The best reaction conditions were a reaction temperature of 240°C, a catalyst/glycerol mass ratio of 0.02 and a reaction time of 6h. The influences of various reaction variables such as nature of the catalyst, catalyst loading, reaction time and reaction temperature on glycerol etherification were elucidated. Industrially, the findings attained in this study might contribute towards promoting the biodiesel industry through utilization of its by-products.
  10. Matlan SJ, Mukhlisin M, Taha MR
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:569851.
    PMID: 24971384 DOI: 10.1155/2014/569851
    Soil-water characteristic curves (SWCCs) are important in terms of groundwater recharge, agriculture, and soil chemistry. These relationships are also of considerable value in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. Their measurement, however, is difficult, expensive, and time-consuming. Many empirical models have been developed to describe the SWCC. Statistical assessment of soil-water characteristic curve models found that exponential-based model equations were the most difficult to fit and generally provided the poorest fit to the soil-water characteristic data. In this paper, an exponential-based model is devised to describe the SWCC. The modified equation is similar to those previously reported by Gardner (1956) but includes exponential variable. Verification was performed with 24 independent data sets for a wide range of soil textures. Prediction results were compared with the most widely used models to assess the model's performance. It was proven that the exponential-based equation of the modified model provided greater flexibility and a better fit to data on various types of soil.
  11. Asadi-Shekari Z, Moeinaddini M, Zaly Shah M
    Traffic Inj Prev, 2015;16:283-8.
    PMID: 24983474 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2014.936010
    The objectives of this research are to conceptualize the Bicycle Safety Index (BSI) that considers all parts of the street and to propose a universal guideline with microscale details.
  12. Khan FM, Sarmin NH, Khan HU
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:275947.
    PMID: 24883375 DOI: 10.1155/2014/275947
    In several advanced fields like control engineering, computer science, fuzzy automata, finite state machine, and error correcting codes, the use of fuzzified algebraic structures especially ordered semigroups plays a central role. In this paper, we introduced a new and advanced generalization of fuzzy generalized bi-ideals of ordered semigroups. These new concepts are supported by suitable examples. These new notions are the generalizations of ordinary fuzzy generalized bi-ideals of ordered semigroups. Several fundamental theorems of ordered semigroups are investigated by the properties of these newly defined fuzzy generalized bi-ideals. Further, using level sets, ordinary fuzzy generalized bi-ideals are linked with these newly defined ideals which is the most significant part of this paper.
  13. Abbas M, Abd Majid A, Ali JM
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:391568.
    PMID: 24757421 DOI: 10.1155/2014/391568
    We present the smooth and visually pleasant display of 2D data when it is convex, which is contribution towards the improvements over existing methods. This improvement can be used to get the more accurate results. An attempt has been made in order to develop the local convexity-preserving interpolant for convex data using C(2) rational cubic spline. It involves three families of shape parameters in its representation. Data dependent sufficient constraints are imposed on single shape parameter to conserve the inherited shape feature of data. Remaining two of these shape parameters are used for the modification of convex curve to get a visually pleasing curve according to industrial demand. The scheme is tested through several numerical examples, showing that the scheme is local, computationally economical, and visually pleasing.
  14. Qazi HH, bin Mohammad AB, Akram M
    Sensors (Basel), 2012 Nov 29;12(12):16522-56.
    PMID: 23443392 DOI: 10.3390/s121216522
    Optical chemical sensors have promoted escalating interest in the determination of various pollutants in the environment, which are creating toxicity and may cause serious health problems. This review paper focuses particularly on the recent progress and developments in this field; the working principles and basic classes of optical chemical sensors have been briefly described.
  15. Mahmood A, Omar MN, Ngah N
    Asian Pac J Trop Med, 2012 Nov;5(11):882-6.
    PMID: 23146802 DOI: 10.1016/S1995-7645(12)60164-3
    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential of Musa x paradisiaca (M. x paradisiaca) flower extracts in promoting milk production of lactating rats and its effects on growth of the suckling pups.

    METHODS: Galactagogue activity was evaluated in terms of quantity of milk produced from the rats treated with petroleum ether, ethanol or water extracts of the flower. Lactating rats (n = 5) of Spraque Dawley with six pups each were administered with the extracts in the amount of 500 mg/kg body weight, while the control rats were given an equivalent amount of distilled water. The rats were daily administered via oral feeding starting from Day 5 until Day 14 and the performance of milk production was measured along the experimental period by weight-suckle-weight method. Results were statistically analyzed using SPSS by means of ANOVA at 0.05 and was expressed as their mean?standard deviation. The rates of pups' growth were measured as the weight gain along the experimental period.

    RESULTS: The rats treated with aqueous extract produced higher milk than control and ethanol groups. Aqueous extract was identified to increase milk production by 25%, while petroleum ether extract by 18%. The mean of yields produced by the rats during suckling period for aqueous, petroleum ether, ethanol and control were 4.62±2.45, 4.37±1.93, 3.65±1.89 and 3.69±1.79, respectively. Growth rates of pups for the rats treated with control, aqueous, ethanol extract and petroleum ether were (1.85±0.49), (1.78±0.56), (1.65±0.46) and (1.56±0.42) g/pup, respectively.

    CONCLUSIONS: The present study reveals the potential of M. x paradisiaca flower to enhance milk production of nursing mothers which could be exploited for commercialization of the isolated extract.

  16. Hassan M, Sulaiman MH, Lian CJ
    Acta Trop, 2013 May;126(2):142-5.
    PMID: 23416121 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.02.001
    A parasitological survey of 16 pangolins, confiscated from the Department of Wildlife and Nature Park Peninsular Malaysia (DWNP) at Kelantan and Pulau Pinang, Malaysia was conducted in 2011. Amblyomma javanense (family: Ixodidae) was the only ectoparasite found on the pangolins. The prevalence, intensity and life cycle of A. javanense were observed together with the respective pangolins' age and sex. It was found that 68.8% of the pangolins were infected, and significant difference, χ(2)(1, N=16)=4.02, p=0.05 were observed with males higher in infestation (88.9%) as compared to the females (42.9%). However, the mean intensity was higher on females (72) as compared to males (31.6). In addition, significant difference, χ(2) (2, N=16)=6.73, p=0.05 was recorded between adults and juveniles with juveniles found to be 100% infected as compared to adult (63.6%). Nevertheless, the mean intensity was slightly higher on adults (47) than juveniles (35). Adult ticks were found in higher numbers as compared to the nymph and larvae with number of male ticks higher (236) as compared to the females (53). Similarly, a high significant difference χ(2)(2, N=469)=203.47, p=0.05 was recorded in the composition of the tick's life stages with a higher number of adult ticks (61.6%) followed by nymph (30.3%) and larvae (8.1%). As such, the results of this study revealed a picture of the A. javanense life cycle which is related to the age and gender of the Malayan Pangolin.
  17. Abed SA, Sirat HM, Taher M
    EXCLI J, 2013;12:404-12.
    PMID: 26600731
    The antioxidant activity and the total phenolic content, as well as the influence of petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts from the leaves of Gynotroches axillaris, on microorganisms were studied. The total phenolic contents were evaluated by using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and the obtained values ranged from 70.0 to 620 mg GAE/g. The efficiency of antioxidation, which was identified through the scavenging of free radical DPPH, exhibited that the highest IC50 was in the methanolic extract (44.7 µg/mL) as compared to the standard ascorbic acid (25.83 µg/mL) and to standard BHT (17.2 µg/mL). In vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts was tested against Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. Methanol extract showed activity in the range (225-900 μg/mL) with both types, while petroleum ether and chloroform extracts were only active with Bacillus subtilis. The three extracts strongly inhibited all fungi with activity 225-450 μg/mL. The toxicity test against brine shrimps indicated that all extracts were non-toxic with LC50 value more than 1000 µg/mL. The finding of this study supports the safety of these extracts to be used in medical treatments.
  18. Elsaid Ali AA, Taher M, Mohamed F
    J Microencapsul, 2013;30(8):728-40.
    PMID: 23631380 DOI: 10.3109/02652048.2013.788081
    Documented to exhibit cytotoxicity and poor oral bioavailability, alpha-mangostin was encapsulated into PLGA microspheres with optimization of formulation using response surface methodology. Mixed levels of four factors Face central composite design was employed to evaluate critical formulation variables. With 30 runs, optimized formula was 1% w/v polyvinyl alcohol, 1:10 ratio of oil to aqueous and sonicated at 2 and 5 min time for primary and secondary emulsion, respectively. Optimized responses for encapsulation efficiency, particle size and polydispersity index were found to be 39.12 ± 0.01%, 2.06 ± 0.017 µm and 0.95 ± 0.009, respectively, which matched values predicted by mathematical models. About 44.4% of the encapsulated alpha-mangostin was released over 4 weeks. Thermal analysis of the microspheres showed physical conversion of alpha-mangostin from crystallinity to amorphous with encapsulated one had lower in vitro cytotoxicity than free alpha-mangostin. Aerodynamic diameter (784.3 ± 7.5 nm) of this alpha-mangostin microsphere suggests suitability for peripheral pulmonary delivery.
  19. Kusrini E, Saleh MI, Lecomte C
    Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 2009 Sep 15;74(1):120-6.
    PMID: 19560960 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2009.05.024
    (1)H NMR evidence for direct coordination between the Ln(III) ion and the oxygen atoms of the pentaethylene glycol (EO5) ligand and the picrate anion (Pic) in [Ln(Pic)(2)(EO5)][Pic] {Ln=Ce and Nd} complexes are confirmed by single X-ray diffraction. No dissociation of Ln-O bonds in dimethyl sulfoxide-d solution was observed in NMR studies conducted at different temperatures ranging 25-100 degrees C. The Ln(III) ion was chelated to nine oxygen atoms from the EO5 ligand in a hexadentate manner and the two Pic anions in each bidentate and monodentate modes. Both compounds are isostructural and crystallized in monoclinic with space group P2(1)/c. Coordination environment around the Ce1 and Nd1 atoms can be described as tricapped trigonal prismatic and monocapped square antiprismatic geometries, respectively. The crystal packing of the complexes have stabilized by one dimensional (1D) chains along the [001] direction to form intermolecular O-Hcdots, three dots, centeredO and C-Hcdots, three dots, centeredO hydrogen bonding. The molar conductance of the complexes in DMSO solution indicated that both compounds are ionic. The complexes had a good thermal stability. Under the UV-excitation, these complexes exhibited the red-shift emission.
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