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Fulltext Impact of organization decision making styles and safety accountability on occupational health and safety implementation: The moderating role of mimetic motives

Nadeem MA, Surienty L, Haque MM

Front Public Health, 2022;10:1004767.
PMID: 36452948 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1004767

The agriculture sector is a traditional economic pillar of many emerging economies. However, it is facing greater occupational health and safety (OHS) challenges in Pakistan, and its performance is continuously decreasing. An effective OHS implementation provides better control over OHS challenges and may help to restore its former glory. Therefore, this study aims to explore different organizational decision-making styles and safety accountability to put OHS into practice in this sector. Based on institutional theory, a theoretical framework was developed. Two hundred and eighty-seven agriculture farms in Punjab, Pakistan were surveyed and analyzed using SmartPLS 3.3.7. The findings revealed that implementation styles (rational and incremental) and safety accountability positively impact OHS implementation. Similarly, the moderating role of mimetic motives was found positively significant in the relationship between rational style and OHS implementation, and negatively significant in the relationship between incremental style and OHS implementation. While no moderating effect of mimetic motive was found between safety accountability and OHS implementation. This study suggested that OHS implementation should not be viewed as a social or technical issue alone. Strategic arrangements should be made at the organizational level to gain better control over OHS challenges by considering the institutional environment in which the organization operates.
Fulltext Advances in Titanium Carbide (Ti3C2T x ) MXenes and Their Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-Based Nanotextures for Solar Energy Applications: A Review

Fan WK, Sherryna A, Tahir M

ACS Omega, 2022 Nov 01;7(43):38158-38192.
PMID: 36340125 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c05030

Introducing new materials with low cost and superior solar harvesting efficiency requires urgent attention to solve energy and environmental challenges. Titanium carbide (Ti3C2T x ) MXene, a 2D layered material, is a promising solution to solve the issues of existing materials due to their promising conductivity with low cost to function as a cocatalyst/support. On the other hand, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging materials due to their high surface area and semiconducting characteristics. Therefore, coupling them would be promising to form composites with higher solar harvesting efficiency. Thus, the main objective of this work to disclose recent development in Ti3C2T x -based MOF nanocomposites for energy conversion applications to produce renewable fuels. MOFs can generate photoinduced electron/hole pairs, followed by transfer of electrons to MXenes through Schottky junctions for photoredox reactions. Currently, the principles, fundamentals, and mechanism of photocatalytic systems with construction of Schottky junctions are critically discussed. Then the basics of MOFs are discussed thoroughly in terms of their physical properties, morphologies, optical properties, and derivatives. The synthesis of Ti3C2T x MXenes and their composites with the formation of surface functionals is systematically illustrated. Next, critical discussions are conducted on design considerations and strategies to engineer the morphology of Ti3C2T x MXenes and MOFs. The interfacial/heterojunction modification strategies of Ti3C2T x MXenes and MOFs are then deeply discussed to understand the roles of both materials. Following that, the applications of MXene-mediated MOF nanotextures in view of CO2 reduction and water splitting for solar fuel production are critically analyzed. Finally, the challenges and a perspective toward the future research of MXene-based MOF composites are disclosed.
Fulltext Regards to the History of Neurosurgery Malaysia: Past, Present and Future

Ismail MI, Ang SY, Fitzrol DN

Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):176-187.
PMID: 36818908 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.19
Fulltext Prevalence of Frailty and Its Standardised Assessment Tools among Malaysian Older Person: A Systematic Review

Shaharudin MI, Abd Rahman NFN

Malays J Med Sci, 2022 Dec;29(6):34-45.
PMID: 36818895 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2022.29.6.4

Frailty is conceptually defined as a state of increased vulnerability in older persons, resulting from age-associated declines in physiological reserve and function as they cope with everyday life stressors. To date, the prevalence of frailty has been assessed in various ways. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of the condition and the assessment tools used to determine its occurrence among Malaysian older individuals. A systematic literature search was performed on electronic bibliographic databases, namely, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCOHost: MEDLINE Complete and Google Scholar. Ten eligible articles were reviewed and evaluated using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Frailty was diagnosed using Fried's frailty phenotype and the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI). Assessment tools that included physical performance tests detected a lower prevalence of frailty than that determined using questionnaire-based tools. The prevalence of frailty ranged from as low as 6% to as high as 76%, and there was a higher prevalence among older persons living in aged care homes. This review suggests increasing prospective and interventional studies on frailty to establish a cause-effect relationship between standardised tools of assessing frailty and its prevalence among Malaysian older persons and provide guidelines for health professionals on promoting active lifestyles among older populations.
Mediating role of wellbeing among organizational virtuousness, emotional intelligence and job performance in post-pandemic COVID-19

Arshad MA, Arshad D, Zakaria N

Front Psychol, 2023;14:1105895.
PMID: 36777235 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1105895

It is devastating to people's mental and emotional health to be exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the multifaceted response strategies are required to curb it. As a result of social distancing and self-isolation, people have faced many challenges in their lives. The suffering is even greater at the workplace where the employees are working with the fear of getting exposed to the virus and its new variants which is adversely affecting their wellbeing. This study explores and tests a model that extends the wellbeing research across organizational settings and targets the crucial factors that lead to job performance improvement even in the post pandemic COVID-19 situation. To improve both in-role performance and extra-role performance behaviors in the Pakistan banking sector, organizational virtue (also known as organizational virtuousness) and internal virtue (also known as emotional intelligence) are examined. Data were collected from the 416 bank employees using disproportionate stratified sampling technique. In the bank sector of Pakistan, wellbeing was identified as the key psychological factor that relates the in-role performance and extra-role performance to internal and organizational factors. Research findings also determined that conceptualizing subjective wellbeing in the context of work is more meaningful in understanding its relationship with the workplace variables than the general or global subjective wellbeing.
Fulltext An investigation of foreign language writing anxiety and its reasons among pre-service EFL teachers in Pakistan

Rasool U, Qian J, Aslam MZ

Front Psychol, 2022;13:947867.
PMID: 36687864 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.947867

Psychologically complicated by nature, anxiety refers to feelings of worry, fear, or apprehension. Several research studies have been devoted to exploring anxiety's effects on language skills, including writing. Since foreign language anxiety directly influences a learner's motivation and determination to learn that language, it is imperative to study the findings and reasons behind these anxious feelings. One-third of foreign language learners have been experiencing at least a moderate level of anxiety. Researchers have attempted to investigate the causes of anxiety among foreign language pre-service teachers. The present study objectifies two goals to determine the extent of writing anxiety, followed by reasons and references to the role of gender. Seventy-two pre-service teachers of the English language training department from the University of Education, Multan, Pakistan, were selected for the study using convenience sampling. Second language writing anxiety inventory (SLWAI) and second language writing anxiety reasons inventory (SLWARI) were used to collect data, and semi-structured interviews were taken with students. The findings presented no difference in anxiety levels between genders, whereas cognitive anxiety type was distinctive in results. Most of the participants experienced high and medium levels of anxiety.
Fulltext Synthesis, biomedical applications, and toxicity of CuO nanoparticles

Naz S, Gul A, Zia M, Javed R

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2023 Feb;107(4):1039-1061.
PMID: 36635395 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12364-z

Versatile nature of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) has made them an imperative nanomaterial being employed in nanomedicine. Various physical, chemical, and biological methodologies are in use for the preparation of CuO NPs. The physicochemical and biological properties of CuO NPs are primarily affected by their method of fabrication; therefore, selectivity of a synthetic technique is immensely important that makes these NPs appropriate for a specific biomedical application. The deliberate use of CuO NPs in biomedicine questions their biocompatible nature. For this reason, the present review has been designed to focus on the approaches employed for the synthesis of CuO NPs; their biomedical applications highlighting antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant studies; and most importantly, the in vitro and in vivo toxicity associated with these NPs. This comprehensive overview of CuO NPs is unique and novel as it emphasizes on biomedical applications of CuO NPs along with its toxicological assessments which would be useful in providing core knowledge to researchers working in these domains for planning and conducting futuristic studies. KEY POINTS: • The recent methods for fabrication of CuO nanoparticles have been discussed with emphasis on green synthesis methods for different biomedical approaches. • Antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, and antiviral properties of CuO nanoparticles have been explained. • In vitro and in vivo toxicological studies of CuO nanoparticles exploited along with their respective mechanisms.
Fulltext Risk Connectedness Between Green and Conventional Assets with Portfolio Implications

Naeem MA, Karim S, Tiwari AK

Comput Econ, 2022 Aug 05.
PMID: 35966025 DOI: 10.1007/s10614-022-10296-w

The increasing concerns of investors toward green bonds and their appealing nature of diversification has motivated the current research to study the risk connectedness between green and conventional assets spanning from August 2014 to December 2020. We first estimate the dynamic equi-correlations through DECO-GARCH. Next, we assess the dynamic and static risk connectedness in the median, extreme low, and extreme high quantiles arguing that spillovers vary across different time periods particularly during economically intense time periods. Finally, we analyzed the hedge ratio and hedge effectiveness between green bonds and other assets. We find that equi-correlations are intense during economic shocks such as the Shale oil crisis, Brexit, US interest rate hike, and COVID-19 pandemic. The volatility analysis at average, lower, and upper quantiles also validate time-varying attributes of green and conventional assets. Further, network figures of green and conventional assets identify potential diversification opportunities. Meanwhile, the hedge effectiveness indicates that green bonds are effective hedge for precious metals and cryptocurrencies. Our findings draw multiple implications for policymakers, green investors, financial market participants, and regulatory authorities regarding flight-to-safety during crisis times and maintaining a diverse portfolio to escape potential losses.
Self-Practice Program for Beating-Heart Minimally Invasive Coronary Anastomosis Using a Homemade Low-Fidelity Simulator: A Proof of Concept

Azmi MI, Nair AK, Hashim SA

Innovations (Phila), 2024;19(2):175-183.
PMID: 38577864 DOI: 10.1177/15569845241238999

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effectiveness of a consistent and structured self-practice coronary anastomosis program using a homemade low-fidelity beating-heart simulator.
METHODS: An intermediary trainee was subjected to an 8-week structured self-practice program. The program was divided into 2 parts of nonbeating and beating practices with a minimum number of timed anastomoses. Each part was followed by an assessment using an objective skills assessment tool score. The beating-heart simulator was built using motorized toy blocks connected wirelessly to a smartphone application. This was coded to enable rate selection. A junior consultant was compared to the subject at the end of the program. Both were tasked to perform 1 coronary anastomosis for both off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) and minimally invasive CAB (MICS) setup. The primary outcomes were anastomotic time and score compared with the junior consultant. Secondary outcomes were progression of anastomotic time and score throughout the program.
RESULTS: Overall performance of the studied subject approached the performance of the junior consultant in terms of time (OPCAB, 489 vs 605 s; MICS, 712 vs 652 s) and scores (OPCAB, 21 vs 20.7; MICS, 19 vs 20.6). There were inverse correlations between anastomosis time and number of practices for both nonbeating and beating anastomoses. Overall improvement was observed in terms of assessment scoring by 26.6%.
CONCLUSIONS: A structured self-practice program using an affordable and accessible simulator was able to help trainees overcome the MICS anastomosis learning curve quicker when introduced earlier. This may encourage earlier adoption of MICS among surgeons.
Fulltext Various Ocular Manifestations in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Series

Sharum MH, Sawri Rajan R, Iqbal T

Cureus, 2024 Mar;16(3):e56503.
PMID: 38638749 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56503

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder with various systemic and ocular clinical manifestations. In patients with SLE, central retinal vein and artery occlusion, choroidopathy, and occlusive vasculitis are among the most significant and clinically relevant ocular manifestations, although they do not commonly occur. We present a case series of three SLE patients of different races and genders who developed ocular-related clinical features of SLE during the course of their systemic disease. The clinical outcomes of each patient were different, affecting their vision in bilateral eyes, with some patients having better visual recovery while others having permanently poor vision. These outcomes were not significantly related to the patients' age, gender, or race.
Fulltext Ingested Australasian Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) Bone Migration to C5 Vertebral Body

Mohamed Ramlee FA, Ibrahim N, Hashim MH

Cureus, 2024 Mar;16(3):e56301.
PMID: 38629010 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56301

Fishbone ingestion has been reported multiple times previously as a cause of oesophageal perforation. This is a surgical emergency that needs to be identified early to ensure immediate medical attention. This report presents the case of a 70-year-old patient with laryngeal perforation and the migration of a Chrysophrys auratus (Australasian snapper) fishbone to the C5 vertebral body. It is hypothesized that the fishbone migrated from the larynx to the visceral fascia and prevertebral fascia before lodging in between the intramuscular substance of the longus coli muscle. Multiple imaging modalities were used to identify and locate the foreign body, including flexible nasopharyngoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and a computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck. The exploration of the neck was done by the ENT team and the orthopaedic spine team via the left anterior cervical approach at the level of the C5 and C6 vertebral bodies. The foreign body was identified (15 mm fishbone) at the left lateral of the C5 body, lodged between the intramuscular substance of the longus coli muscle, and was successfully removed.
Fulltext Investigating the in-vitro bioactivity, biodegradability and drug release behavior of the newly developed PES/HA/WS biocompatible nanocomposites as bone graft substitute

Salimi E, Asim MH, Abidin MNZ

Sci Rep, 2024 May 11;14(1):10798.
PMID: 38734777 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61586-2

The nucleation of carbonate-containing apatite on the biomaterials surface is regarded as a significant stage in bone healing process. In this regard, composites contained hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HA), wollastonite (CaSiO3, WS) and polyethersulfone (PES) were synthesized via a simple solvent casting technique. The in-vitro bioactivity of the prepared composite films with different weight ratios of HA and WS was studied by placing the samples in the simulated body fluid (SBF) for 21 days. The results indicated that the the surface of composites containing 2 wt% HA and 4 wt% WS was completely covered by a thick bone-like apatite layer, which was characterized by Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, field emission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX). The degradation study of the samples showed that the concentration of inorganic particles could not influence the degradability of the polymeric matrix, where all samples expressed similar dexamethasone (DEX) release behavior. Moreover, the in-vitro cytotoxicity results indicated the significant cyto-compatibility of all specimens. Therefore, these findings revealed that the prepared composite films composed of PES, HA, WS and DEX could be regarded as promising bioactive candidates with low degradation rate for bone tissue engineering applications.
Migratory Fish Bone in the Hyoglossus: Catch Me if You Can

Musa MA, Hamid IA, Gendeh H

Cureus, 2024 Apr;16(4):e58215.
PMID: 38745791 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58215

Foreign body ingestion is one of the most frequently encountered cases in otorhinolaryngology and most of the cases can be managed non-operatively. If left untreated, migration of foreign bodies can occur and presents a significant challenge in patient management. We hereby describe the case of an elderly gentleman who had a preceding history of fish bone ingestion and complained of dysphagia for two days. Clinical examination revealed swelling of the right vallecula with minimal pus discharge. Computed tomography (CT) of the neck confirmed the diagnosis of a migratory foreign body in the neck. He underwent open neck exploration and foreign body removal under intraoperative fluoroscopy guidance. A high index of suspicion of a migratory foreign body is warranted in cases of persistent, unresolved symptoms with the failure of endoscopic evaluation to detect the foreign body. Migratory foreign body of the neck may cause life-threatening complications and requires early surgical intervention.
Axillary Metastasis as the Initial Presentation of Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Musa MA, Afandi AN, Zahedi FD

Cureus, 2024 Apr;16(4):e58625.
PMID: 38770504 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58625

The recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is either at the local primary site or at regional or distant metastases. However, an axillary metastasis is a rare entity in NPC. We highlighted a case of recurrent NPC that presented with axillary swelling as the main initial complaint. Clinical examinations showed enlarged left axillary lymph nodes and left cervical lymph nodes. Histopathological examination of the axillary lymph node biopsy confirmed the recurrence of NPC. The patient underwent palliative chemotherapy in view of the advanced stage of recurrent disease. A thorough clinical history and examination during surveillance are crucial for early diagnosis and better survival outcomes.
Fulltext How has rural tourism influenced the sustainable development of traditional villages? A systematic literature review

Yanan L, Ismail MA, Aminuddin A

Heliyon, 2024 Feb 29;10(4):e25627.
PMID: 38384513 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25627

Rural tourism has been widely recognized as a means of promoting the revival of traditional villages and has been supported by numerous researchers. It has the potential to provide significant social and economic advantages, making it a popular strategy for rural development in both developed and developing countries. Nevertheless, a growing body of research has substantiated the significant disruptions that rural tourism has imposed on traditional villages. This study employed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) qualitative method to systematically analyze 92 papers from WOS and SCOPUS that investigate the impact of rural tourism on traditional villages. The papers were categorized into five groups: spatial, economic, sociocultural, and holistic. This categorization allowed for the identification of the purpose, theme, sub-topics, research methods, and data sources used in these papers, which in turn provided an overview of the characteristics and overall trends in research in this field. It compensates for the deficiencies of lesser reviews that just emphasize rural tourism as the primary catalyst for the sustainable development of traditional villages. Based on a thorough investigation, this paper asserts that the development of tourism in traditional villages should be differentiated from typical rural tourism sites that prioritize the preferences of tourists. The primary objective should be to prioritize the preservation of community values, with a strong emphasis on community participation. This should be done while considering the interests of various stakeholders and promoting a diverse range of livelihoods that are rooted in traditional practices. By doing so, the essence of authenticity in traditional villages can be reinforced, leading to a greater sense of connection and loyalty among tourists. The preservation of traditional village genes fosters a symbiotic relationship with rural tourism, resulting in a mutually beneficial cycle.
Fulltext Better Safe Than Sorry: A Rare Case of a Laryngeal Foreign Body and the Unconventional Use of Cook® Airway

Musa MSH, Yeoh ZX, Azman M

Cureus, 2024 Jan;16(1):e52918.
PMID: 38406054 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52918

Foreign body (FB) inhalation in the pediatric population is a common emergency referral in otolaryngology practice. Mismanagement can lead to significant morbidity or even mortality. Anesthesiologists conventionally use the Cook® airway exchange catheter (CAEC) during endotracheal tube exchange in the intensive care unit, but its usage as an oxygen conduit is beneficial in other airway procedures. A healthy two-year-old boy was brought to casualty for allegedly choking on a boneless chicken meat bolus during mealtime. The initial presentation showed that the child was comfortable with soft audible stridor without signs of respiratory distress. Bedside video laryngoscopy revealed a whitish FB in the proximity of the vocal cord. The patient was subjected to emergency direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy to retrieve the FB. Under general anesthesia, the true nature of FB was revealed, which was an embedded chicken bone into the laryngeal ventricle, causing a significant reduction of the rima glottis opening. CAEC was used to maintain oxygenation during the complex extraction process, and the child was discharged without any morbidity. Eyewitness history is an essential component in diagnosing FB inhalation in the pediatric population. Despite that, identifying potential difficulty is important to provide backup, especially in the case of unexpected events during managing airway emergencies.
Incorporating inflation rate in construction projects cost: Forecasting model

Musarat MA, Alaloul WS, Liew MS

Heliyon, 2024 Feb 29;10(4):e26037.
PMID: 38375301 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26037

Over time, the change in the inflation rate causes cost overruns by deviating the prices of goods and services in construction projects that require practitioners to make budgeting revisions. Hence, this study aims to develop a construction rates forecasting model that can incorporate the changing impact of the inflation rate on construction rates and predict the prices in a particular year, which can be adjusted when developing the Bill of Quantities. Following the time series analysis standards, a mathematical model was developed using MATLAB for forecasting. Construction rates, building prices, labour wages and machinery rates were forecasted from 2020 to 2025 based on the data collected from 2013 to 2019. Akaike information criterion was used to validate the self-developed construction rate forecasting model. It was revealed that the model yielded better results when the construction rates were compared with the autoregressive integrated moving average time series model results. The rates forecasting model may be used for any construction project where rates are affected by the inflation effect.
Editorial: Employment sustainability and teaching/learning techniques in higher education institutions

Ghouri AM, Bhatti MA, Juhari AS

Front Psychol, 2024;15:1373916.
PMID: 38515963 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1373916
Fulltext Diagnostic Accuracy of Machine Learning Models on Mammography in Breast Cancer Classification: A Meta-Analysis

Hanis TM, Islam MA, Musa KI

Diagnostics (Basel), 2022 Jul 05;12(7).
PMID: 35885548 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12071643

In this meta-analysis, we aimed to estimate the diagnostic accuracy of machine learning models on digital mammograms and tomosynthesis in breast cancer classification and to assess the factors affecting its diagnostic accuracy. We searched for related studies in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and Embase. The studies were screened in two stages to exclude the unrelated studies and duplicates. Finally, 36 studies containing 68 machine learning models were included in this meta-analysis. The area under the curve (AUC), hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics (HSROC) curve, pooled sensitivity and pooled specificity were estimated using a bivariate Reitsma model. Overall AUC, pooled sensitivity and pooled specificity were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.85-0.90), 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78-0.87) and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.81-0.87), respectively. Additionally, the three significant covariates identified in this study were country (p = 0.003), source (p = 0.002) and classifier (p = 0.016). The type of data covariate was not statistically significant (p = 0.121). Additionally, Deeks' linear regression test indicated that there exists a publication bias in the included studies (p = 0.002). Thus, the results should be interpreted with caution.
Fulltext BNT162b2 vaccine considerations for immunocompromised individuals: A global perspective

Jatoi HN, Abbas S, Abbasi MS, Tauni MA, Ghazanfar S, Zafar Malick MD, et al.

Ann Med Surg (Lond), 2022 Jun;78:103796.
PMID: 35603097 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103796

With the emergence of COVID-19 vaccines, individuals with comorbidities and immunosuppression require particular attention and should be prioritized for vaccination. However, the majority of vaccine clinical trials excluded people with comorbidities, resulting in a lack of data regarding vaccine efficacy in this demographic. Along with more inclusivity in clinical trials, reaching a definitive conclusion regarding vaccine efficacy in these patients is also crucial. In our review, we highlight the BNT162b2 vaccine safety and efficacy based on the limited number of clinical trials which included this demographic. We also provide vaccine considerations for individuals with cancer, autoimmune diseases, HIV, obesity, diabetes, organ transplant recipients and those undergoing maintenance haemodialysis to help them govern their decision regarding vaccine administration. In conclusion, further studies are required to alleviate any insecurities in patients with comorbidities regarding vaccination and it is recommended that patients are monitored post-vaccination to make sure sufficient immunity is achieved.

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