Asia is important as it accounts for more than half of the world population. The majority of Asian countries fall into the middle income category. As for cultural traditions, Asia is highly varied, with many languages spoken. The pattern of neurologic diseases in Asia is largely similar to the West, with some disease features being specific to Asia. Whereas Asia constitutes 60% of the world's population, it contains only 20% of the world's neurologists. This disparity is particularly evident in South and South East Asia. As for neurologic care, it is highly variable depending on whether it is an urban or rural setting, the level of economic development, and the system of health care financing. To help remedy the shortage of neurologists, most counties with larger populations have established training programs in neurology. These programs are diverse, with many areas of concern. There are regional organizations serving as a vehicle for networking in neurology and various subspecialties, as well as an official journal (Neurology Asia). The Asian Epilepsy Academy, with its emphasis on workshops in various locations, EEG certification examination, and fellowships, may provide a template of effective regional networking for improving neurology care in the region.
Disability in a child not only affects the child but also presents socioeconomic and psychological impacts to the child's family. This study aims to describe the service needs of caregivers of children with disabilities in the state of Penang, Malaysia, and to determine the child and family characteristics predisposing to having more caregiver needs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and June 2013 among caregivers of children aged 0-12 years with disabilities registered with the Penang Department of Social Welfare. Caregivers completed a self-administered mailed questionnaire containing a 20-item Caregiver Needs Scale (CNS). Each item in the CNS was rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 'help not at all needed' to 'help extremely needed'. A total of 273 surveys were available for analysis (response rate 34.0%). The CNS contained four domains. The 'Help getting Information and Services for child' domain had the highest mean score (3.61, 95% CI: 3.46, 3.77) followed by 'Help with Finances' (3.29, 95% CI: 3.13, 3.45) and 'Help Coping with child' (3.11, 95% CI: 2.97, 3.25), while the 'Help getting Childcare' domain had the lowest mean score (2.30, 95% CI: 2.13, 2.47). Multivariate regression analysis identified caregivers of younger children and with more severe disability as having more caregiver needs in all domains. Besides that, caregivers of children with learning disability needed more help getting information and help with coping. Caregivers of children with learning and multiple disabilities needed more help getting childcare compared to children with other disability. Caregivers of Indian ethnicity, who had less than a tertiary education and who themselves had medical problems needed more help with finances. The findings on caregiver needs in this study can help inform planning of family support services for children with disabilities in Penang, Malaysia.
Information on unmet health care needs reveal problems that are related to unavailability and inaccessibility of services. The study objectives were to determine the prevalence, and the reasons for unmet service needs among children with disabilities in the state of Penang, Malaysia. Caregivers of children with disabilities aged 0 to 12 years registered with the Penang Social Welfare Department in 2012 answered a self-administered mailed questionnaire. A total of 305 questionnaires were available for analysis (response rate 37.9%). Services that were very much needed and yet highly unmet were dental services (49.6% needed, 59.9% unmet), dietary advice (30.9% needed, 63.3% unmet), speech therapy (56.9% needed, 56.8% unmet), psychology services (25.5% needed, 63.3% unmet), and communication aids (33.0% needed, 79.2% unmet). Access problems were mainly due to logistic issues and caregivers not knowing where to obtain services. Findings from this study can be used to inform strategies for service delivery and advocacy for children with disabilities in Penang, Malaysia.
The glove manufacturing industry has seen tremendous growth recently, spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic. A long-standing shortage of supply of disposable medical gloves has highlighted an urgent need to increase production capacity. This requires glove manufacturers to be quick in adopting best practices, in line with Industry 4.0, in order to optimize various aspects of the industry. Unfortunately, information available in the existing literature is, however, limited due to the confidential nature of the majority of research in this area. This article discusses some opportunities and challenges related to this important chemical industry, from the perspective of control engineering. These insights can point to some interesting directions of future work.
The toxic and biological activities of four samples of Trimeresurus purpureomaculatus venom were examined. The lethality, protein composition and biological activities of the four venom samples were similar. Three of the venom samples had LD50 (i.v.) values of 0.9 micrograms/g while the fourth had a lower LD50 (i.v.) of 0.45 micrograms/g. All four venom samples exhibited hemorrhagic, edema-inducing, anticoagulant and thrombin-like activities as well as the usual enzymes found in crotalid venoms. DEAE-Sephacel ion exchange chromatographic fractionation of the venom yielded 10 protein fractions. Only two fractions (fractions A and F) were lethal to mice; the major lethal fraction being fraction F. This fraction had an LD50 (i.v.) of 0.2 micrograms/g and exhibited hemorrhagic, edema-inducing and thrombin-like activity. It also exhibited phospholipase A, arginine ester hydrolase, arginine amidase, protease, 5'-nucleotidase, acetylcholinesterase and alkaline phosphomonoesterase activities. The lethal potency of fraction F is potentiated by fraction G, which exhibited anticoagulant activity as well as hemorrhagic, edema-inducing and enzymatic activities. Fractions F plus G account for almost 100% of the lethal potency of the venom.
Tuberculosis (TB) is still an endemic disease in Malaysia. Cystic lung disease in post primary tuberculosis is not common. It can occur before, during or after completion of anti-TB treatment. Clinical history and review of serial chest radiograph is paramount to make the diagnosis. This case report highlights an interesting case of a young female patient who developed extensive cystic lung disease during the course of anti-TB treatment and the importance of recognizing this unusual manifestation.
Beans are distinctive among a diverse and broad class of legumes. Certain health products claimed their products are high in dietary fibers and total phenolic content (TPC) because they applied bean combinations. This study aimed to determine the dietary fibers and TPC of raw and cooked beans and its combinations. Individual beans studied were kidney bean, mung bean and chickpea. Bean combinations were done by mixing each of the homogenized beans flour in the ratio of 1:1 (w/w) and 1:1:1 (w/w/w). Dietary fibers were determined using enzymaticgravimetrical method whereas TPC was determined spectrophotometrically. Results showed the insoluble dietary fiber (IDF), soluble dietary fiber (SDF), total dietary fiber (TDF) and TPC for individual raw beans varied from 20.52 to 26.61 g/100 g, 1.20 to 2.45 g/100 g, 22.08 to 27.81 g/100 g and 0.48 to 1.04 mg GAE/g, respectively. For raw bean combinations, the IDF, SDF, TDF and TPC varied from 20.74 to 23.96 g/100 g, 2.3 to 2.50 g/100 g, 23.05 to 26.46 g/100 g and 0.80 to 0.85 mg GAE/g, respectively. No significant different (p > 0.05) in IDF and SDF for raw bean combinations and individual raw beans. Meanwhile, certain raw bean combinations contained significant higher (p < 0.05) TDF and TPC than individual raw beans. The IDF, SDF, TDF and TPC for individual cooked beans varied from 14.49 to 26.30 g/100 g, 1.40 to 2.02 g/100 g, 15.88 to 28.31 g/100 g and 0.57 to 1.20 mg GAE/g, respectively. For cooked bean combinations, the IDF, SDF, TDF and TPC varied from 15.73 to 23.03 g/100 g, 1.73 to 2.36 g/100 g, 17.46 to 24.95 g/100 g and 0.61 to 1.08 mg GAE/g, respectively. After cooking, the IDF, SDF, TDF and TPC of certain beans combinations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than individual beans. This study supports the proposal that bean combinations can possibly be used as a method to increase the amount of dietary fibers and TPC.
This paper examines the transformation of the Korean development model since the 1960s. The statedirected
capitalism that characterized the close liaison between government and business successfully
transformed Korea into an industrial powerhouse in the 1970s. Under the strong leadership of Park
Chung Hee, the Korean government picked industrial winners and promoted them with cheap capital
and protection to boost industrial productions and exports. This guided capitalism was very successful,
but the Korean government began to abandon the ideology and moved toward liberalism gradually since
1980s. Under the Chun Doo Hwan’s administration, the active role of the state in the economy was
reduced, allowing more freedom in the market. Then the government began to emphasize liberalizing
the economy for foreign goods, capital, and free operation of the market by minimizing government
control. After the 1997 financial crisis, promoting foreign direct investment into the country and signing
FTAs became important growth strategies for the Korean economy. It is believed that the neoliberalism
will continue to override the nation’s economic direction for welfare of the country.
Traditionally, Korean leadership has been perceived as hierarchically authoritative, paternalistic,
nationalistic and as having group consciousness. Unlike western societies which promotes freedom
and human rights, Korean society has been dominated by values of obligation, duty and group
harmony. By focusing on the role of national leadership and Korean entrepreneurship, this paper
examines how the collectivist values have been incorporated into the national ideology, governance
principles as well as Korean management system. Park Chung Hee’s leadership and Korean chaebol
founders are the main subjects of discussion in this paper, since they have laid the foundations
of Korean industries as well as are well known for their collectivist characteristics. This study
shows that the collectivist values worked very well in the early industrialization process of Korea,
Korean industrial players were able to produce goods and services through relatively lower costs,
Korean economy entered into the stage of innovation-driven, the rigidity of the collectivist culture
began to undermine economic performance. In sum, collectivism worked well in the initial stages
of industrialization; however it has not guaranteed better innovation as what had been enjoyed in
western individualist cultures.
Some 20 basalt soil samples from the Kuantan area were analysed for their physico-chemical properties. The physical properties of the soils analysed are: relative density, water content, the Atterberg Limits, grain size distribution, and compaction properties. The chemical properties analysed involved the pore fluids chemistry, whereby the pore fluids of the soils were first extracted using the "Saturation Extract" method and then subsequently analysed for pH, conductivity, cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+)concentrations, and anions (SO42-, Cl-, CO32-, HCO3-) concentrations. The results show the following characteristics for the basalt soils: relative density is high with most values> 2.7; water content is generally high with Wo > 30% indicating high adsorption of water; liquid limits can attain high values in excess of 50%; grain size comprises the whole range from G (grave) to C (clay), but is predominantly fine-grained (M/C); the fines fractions of the soils are classified under ML-MH soils, ie silts with low-high plasticity. Surprisingly, the compacted maximum dry densities show rather low values ranging from 1.22-160 g/cm3 in spite of the fact that basalt soils generally make good embankment fill materials. The low gdmak values could be atrributed to the rather high optimum moisture contents of the soils (Wopt = 29.0-47.5%). Results for the pore fluids chemistry indicate the following: pH is on the acidic side « 7); conductivity is low, reflecting the low cations contents of the pore fluids; cations Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ are generally low in concentrations, with K+, Ca2+ & Mg2+ all having values of < 5ppm. Interestingly enough, there appears to be a distinct predominance of Na+ concentrations. As such, the ratios of monovalent cations (Na+ + K+) versus divalent cations (Ca2+ + Mg2+) show high values ranging from 3-17, with a few values being in excess of 100, thus indicating the high dispersivity of the basalt soils. Anions Cl-, CO32- and HCO3- were not detected, while SO42- shows considerable values of 35-122 NTU. Although in the field the soil profile shows 3 distinct layer or horizonations having colours ranging from (top to bottom) dark brown, red, to purple, it would appear from the test results obtained that the physico-chemical properties of the soil samples taken from these 3 horizons do not show any siginificant differences or variations from one another, contrary to expectations. Moreover, some of the physicoÂchemical properties of the basalt soils taken from the same layer/horizon also appear to plot in 2 distinct clusters - the reasons for this are not entirely clear.
Sebanyak 20 sampel tanah basalt dari kawasan Kuantan telah diuji sifat fiziko-kimia tanah tersebut. Sifat fizik tanah yang diuji ialah: ketumpatan relatif, kandungan air. Had Atterberg, taburan saiz butiran, dan sifat pemadatan. Sifat kimia yang diuji pula melibatkan kimia air liang. Air liang tanah diekstrak dahulu dengan kaedah "Ekstrak Tepuan" dan kemudiannya diuji pH, kekonduksian, konsentrasi kation (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+) dan anion (SO42-, Cl-, CO32-, HCO3-). Hasil kajian menunjukkan ciri-ciri tanah basalt sepertimana yang berikut: ketumpatan relatif tinggi, dengan kebanyakan nilai > 2.7; kandungan air secara umumnya tinggi dengan Wo > 30%, ini menunjukkan penjerapan air yang tinggi; had cecair boleh mencapai nilai yang tinggi yang melebihi 50%; saiz butiran tertabur luas an tara saiz kelikir (G) hingga saiz lempung (C), namun demikian saiz dominan adalah halus (M/C); fraksi tanah halus dikelaskan sebagai tanah ML-MH, iaitu lodak dengan keplastikan rendah-tinggi. Yang agak mengejutkan ialah nilai ketumpatan kering maksimum tanah terpadat yang agak rendah, bersela antara 1.22-1.60g/cm3, walaupun tanah basalt diketahui umum sebagai bahan tambakan yang baik. Nilai gdmak yang rendah itu boleh disebabkan kandungan air optimum yang tinggi (Wopt = 29.0-47.5%). Keputusan untuk kimia air liang menunjukkan perkara yang berikut: PH terletak pada sebelah asid (< 7); kekonduksian rendah, membayangkan kandungan kation yang rendah; kepekatan kation Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, secara umumnya adalah rendah, dengan K+, Ca2+ dan Mg2+ mempamerkan nilai < 5bpj. Seperkara yang agak menarik ialah kedominanan kepekatan Na+ yang jelas. Dengan itu, nisbah kation monovalensi (Na+ + K+) lawan dwivalensi (Ca2+ + Mg2+) menunjukkan nilai yang tinggi yang berjulat antara 3-17, dengan beberapa nilai yang melebihi 100, maka ia menunjukkan potensi penyerakan tanah basalt yang tinggi. Anion Cl-, CO32- dan HCO3- tidak dikesan, manakala SO42- memaparkan nilai yang agak tinggi, iaitu 35-122 NTU. Walaupun di lapangan prolil tanah basalt memperlihatkan 3 lapisan atau horizon yang jelas, dengan warna yang berubah (atas ke bawah) daripada coklat tua, merah hingga ungu, hasil kajian sifat fiziko-kimia sampel tanah yang telah diambil dari 3 horizon itu tidak menunjukkan perbezaan atau variasi yang penting, iaitu lain daripada jangkaan. Tambahan pula, beberapa sifat fizikoÂkimia tanah basalt yang telah diambil dari lapisan yang sama terplot pada dua kelompok yang jelas - penerangan untuk perkara ini tidak begitu jelas.
The objectives of this study were to assess the intake of fluoride among 4-5 years old children from drinking water (FH20) and whether current practises of use of water filters and consumption of bottled water have any impact on fluoride intake. A questionnaire survey was conducted to elicit details of drinking water in 350 children aged 4-5 years old. The intake of fluoride from drinking water over a period of two days was biochemically determined in a subsample of 200 subjects. The majority of children (97.0%) had access to tap water, 23.1% to filtered tap water and 11.3% reported use of bottled water. The use of filters was found to be associated with ethnicity and socio-economic status (p<0.00). The mean fluoride concentration of unfiltered and filtered tap water were 0.541 ± 0.167 and 0.534±0.192 ppm, respectively. The mean volume of water consumed was 1348.76±482.70 mL/day while the mean FH2O was 726.7 ± 357.5 ug/day. The use of filters and consumption of bottled water were sparse with no significant impact on FH2O over a two-day study period.
Although past studies have found a positive relationship between product creativity and purchase intention, little is known about the underlying process behind this relationship. The present study addressed this gap by examining the role of openness to experience in the relationship between product creativity and purchase intention. Participants (88 undergraduate students) evaluated creativity of a self-nominated product and reported the extent to which they are willing to buy the product, as well as their openness to experience. Analysis showed that there was a positive relationship between product creativity and openness to experience and these two variables were significantly correlated with purchase intention. Furthermore, mediation analysis supported that product creativity increases purchase intension indirectly through openness to experience. The findings shed light on the mechanism of how product creativity increases purchase intention and serve as an evidence for future studies to investigate how and what aspects of product creativity that enhance individual’s sense of openness and purchase intention.
The periostracum is the outermost layer overlying the inner prismatic and nacreous layers of the shells of bivalves. In the present study, the distributions of Cd and Pb in the soft tissues (ST) and periostracum of the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis sampled from 15 sampling sites in the coastal waters of Peninsular Malaysia were determined. The concentrations of Cd (0.21-10.87 mg/g dry weight) and Pb (1.16-40.20 mg/g dry weight) in the periostracum were generally higher than those in the ST (Cd: 0.10-5.55 mg/g dry weight; Pb: 2.53-18.62 mg/g dry weight). Based on correlation analysis from nine geographical populations, the higher correlation coefficients (R values) between the periostracum-geochemical fractions of the sediments than between the ST-geochemical fractions of the sediments indicated that the periostracum could be a potential biomonitoring material for Pb. Hence, the present results supported the use of the periostracum of P. viridis as a potential biomonitoring material for Pb but not for Cd. However, more studies are warranted to verify its usefulness for the biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution in tropical coastal waters.
Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique has been widely employed in probing the microstructure of amorphous materials in the nanometer range. In aerogels system, the size range of 1 – 100 nm is of particular interest since the structural units, such as the pores and particles, often fall in this range. In a typical scattering experiment, scattered neutron intensity is measured as a function of the scattering angle. Various plots of intensity I(Q) and scattering vector, Q, can provide information about fractal dimensions, and particle and cluster sizes. In this study, SANS facilities, at Nuklear Malaysia (NM) and Badan Tenaga Atom Nasional (BATAN), Indonesia were used to analyse particle and cluster size of silica aerogels and titanium containing silica aerogels. Results from NM showed that silica aerogels have surface fractal dimension while titanium containing silica aerogels have mass fractal dimension. On the other hand, results from BATAN showed that both silica aerogels and titanium containing silica aerogels have mass fractal dimension. The particle size for silica aerogels and titanium containing silica aerogels samples obtained by NM were 11.18 ± 0.03 and 9.19 ± 0.06 nm, respectively while the respective values obtained from BATAN measurements were 11.78 ± 0.06 and 10.57 ± 0.07 nm.