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Insights into public export promotion programs in an emerging economy: the case of Malaysian SMEs

Ayob AH, Freixanet J

Eval Program Plann, 2014 Oct;46:38-46.
PMID: 24907593 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2014.05.005

This study evaluates the impact of public export promotion programs (EPPs) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. Three indicators, level of awareness, frequency of use, and perception of usefulness, were examined according to a firm's export status. The global evaluation suggests that exporters are more frequent users of EPPs and perceive them to be more useful than non-exporters. Nonetheless, both groups demonstrate higher levels of awareness, are frequent users, and perceive the programs relating to export info/knowledge are more usefulness than programs relating to financial assistance. Further analysis also reveals that the frequency of use and the perception of usefulness for most programs are positively related to export experience, but not to export turnover. This study offers insights into the effectiveness of export programs for encouraging export initiation and expansion in an emerging economy.
The historical path of evaluation as reflected in the content of Evaluation and Program Planning

Ayob AH, Morell JA

Eval Program Plann, 2016 10;58:20-27.
PMID: 27267162 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2016.05.006

This paper examines the intellectual structure of evaluation by means of citation analysis. By using various article attributes and citation counts in Google Scholar and (Social) Science Citation Index Web of Science, we analyze all articles published in Evaluation and Program Planning from 2000 until 2012. We identify and discuss the characteristics and development of the field as reflected in the history of those citations.
Immune-mediated Pathogenesis and Therapies for Inflammatory Autoimmune Diseases

Islam MA, Kamal MA, Md Zulfiker AH, Gan SH

Curr Pharm Des, 2019;25(27):2907-2908.
PMID: 31621552 DOI: 10.2174/138161282527191007151037
Fulltext Design and fabrication of a cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) peeling machine

Balami, A. A., Dauda S. M., Mohammed, I. S., Agunsoye, J. K., Abu, H., 1 Abubakar, Ahmad, D.

International Food Research Journal, 2016;23(101):65-70.
MyJurnal

The processing of cocoyam tubers for industrial or human use involves different operations
of which peeling is the major problem. This study was aimed at designing, fabricating and
carrying out performance evaluation of a cocoyam peeling machine, taking into consideration
some physical and mechanical properties of the cocoyam tubers. The machine was evaluated
based on the following parameters which includes; throughput capacity and peeling efficiency
at the speeds of 400 rpm, 700 rpm and 933 rpm. Results revealed that, for all the speeds tested
in the experiment, the corresponding peeling efficiencies of the machine were 50%, 64% and
68% respectively while that of the throughput capacities were 63.20 kg/hr, 84.90 kg/hr and
112.92 kg/hr respectively. It was observed that 933 rpm speed was the most suitable speed for
the operation of this machine, as it had higher peeling efficiency of 68% with a throughput
capacity of 112.92 kg/hr. These results showed appreciable improvement over manual method
which is 20 – 35 kg/hr.
Fulltext Workplace vaccination against influenza in Malaysia: does the employer benefit?

Samad AH, Usul MH, Zakaria D, Ismail R, Tasset-Tisseau A, Baron-Papillon F, et al.

J Occup Health, 2006 Jan;48(1):1-10.
PMID: 16484757

This study was designed to evaluate the health and economic benefits of a workplace vaccination programme against influenza funded by the employer. Employees of a Malaysian petrochemical plant volunteered to take part in this prospective, non-randomised, non-placebo-controlled study. Demographic and health information, including influenza-like symptoms, sick leave and post-vaccination adverse events were collected via questionnaires. Cost-benefit analyses were performed from the employer's perspective.

RESULTS: A total of 1,022 employees took part in the study, with 504 choosing to be vaccinated against influenza, and 518 remaining unvaccinated. The rate of influenza-like illness (ILI) was lower among vaccinated (8.13%) than non-vaccinated subjects (30.31%). Fever and respiratory symptoms were associated with all ILI cases. ILI-related sick leave was taken by 58.54% of vaccinated employees with ILI and 71.34% of non-vaccinated employees with ILI. Vaccination was financially beneficial, with the employer saving up to US dollar 53.00 per vaccinated employee when labour costs only were considered. Savings rose to up to US dollar 899.70 when the operating income of each employee was also considered. Workplace vaccination of healthy adults against influenza had a clear impact on ILI rates, absenteeism and reduced productivity in this Malaysian company. The health benefits translated into financial benefits for the employer, with cost savings significantly outweighting the costs of the vaccination programme.
Revised Discriminating Lethal Doses For Resistance Monitoring Program on Aedes albopictus Against Temephos and Malathion in Penang Island, Malaysia

Rahim J, Ahmad AH, Kassim NF, Ahmad H, Ishak IH, Rus AC, et al.

J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 2016 Sep;32(3):210-216.
PMID: 27802400

Dengue vector control still heavily relies on the use of chemical insecticides, and the widespread use of insecticides has led to resistance in mosquitoes. The diagnostic dose is a key part of resistance monitoring. The present study corroborates the discriminating lethal doses of temephos and malathion based on dose-response of known susceptible strain of Aedes albopictus following the World Health Organization (WHO) diagnostic test procedure. Late 3rd and early 4th instars were tested with a range of larvicides to determine the lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC99) values. A slightly higher diagnostic dose of 0.020 mg/liter as compared with the WHO-established value of 0.012 mg/liter was observed for temephos. Meanwhile, a malathion diagnostic dose of 0.200 mg/liter is also reported here since there are no such reported values by WHO. Doubling the LC99 values of susceptible strains, 3 of the 5 wild-collected populations showed resistance to temephos and 2 showed incipient resistance; all 5 populations showed incipient resistance to malathion. The revised and established lethal diagnostic dose findings from the current work are crucial to elaborate on the variation in susceptibility of Ae. albopictus in future resistance monitoring programs in Malaysia.
Adulticidal Susceptibility Evaluation of Aedes albopictus Using New Diagnostic Doses in Penang Island, Malaysia

Rahim J, Ahmad AH, Ahmad H, Ishak IH, Rus AC, Maimusa HA

J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 2017 Sep;33(3):200-208.
PMID: 28854111 DOI: 10.2987/16-6607R.1

Insecticide-based vector control approaches are facing challenges due to the development of resistance in vector mosquitoes. Therefore, a proper resistance surveillance program using baseline lethal concentrations is crucial for resistance management strategies. Currently, the World Health Organization's (WHO) diagnostic doses established for Aedes aegypti and Anopheles species are being used to study the resistance status of Aedes albopictus. In this study, we established the diagnostic doses for permethrin, deltamethrin, and malathion using a known susceptible reference strain. Five field-collected populations were screened against these doses, following the WHO protocol. This study established the diagnostic dose of malathion at 2.4%, permethrin at 0.95%, and deltamethrin at 0.28%, which differ from the WHO doses for Aedes aegypti and Anopheles spp. Among the insecticides tested on the 5 wild populations, only deltamethrin showed high effectiveness. Different susceptibility and resistance patterns were observed with permethrin, malathion, and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) at 4%. This study may assist the health authorities to improve future chemical-based vector control operations in dengue-endemic areas.
Fulltext Charaterization of mosquito larval habitats in Qatar

Alkhayat FA, Ahmad AH, Rahim J, Dieng H, Ismail BA, Imran M, et al.

Saudi J Biol Sci, 2020 Sep;27(9):2358-2365.
PMID: 32884417 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.07.006

Mosquito borne diseases have remained a grave threat to human health and are posing a significant burden on health authorities around the globe. The understanding and insight of mosquito breeding habitats features is crucial for their effective management. Comprehensive larval surveys were carried out at 14 sites in Qatar. A total of 443 aquatic habitats were examined, among these 130 were found positive with Culex pipiens, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. mattinglyi, Ochlerotatus dorsalis, Oc. caspius and Anopheles stephensi. The majority of positive breeding habitats were recorded in urban areas (67.6%), followed by livestock (13.8%), and least were in agriculture (10.7%). An. stephensi larvae were positively correlated with Cx. pipien, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and negatively with water salinity. Large and shaded habitats were the most preferred by An. stephensi. In addition, Cx. pipiens was positively associated with the turbidity and pH, and was negatively associated with vegetation and habitat size. A negative association of Cx. quinquefasciatus with dissolved oxygen, water temperature, and salinity, while positive with habitat surface area was observed. Oc. dorsalis was negatively correlated with pH, water temperature, depth, and habitat surface area, whereas salinity water was more preferable site for females to lay their eggs. These results demonstrate that environmental factors play a significant role in preference of both anopheline and culicine for oviposition, while their effective management must be developed as the most viable tool to minimize mosquito borne diseases.
Fulltext Population genetic structure of Aedes albopictus in Penang, Malaysia

Zawani MK, Abu HA, Sazaly AB, Zary SY, Darlina MN

Genet. Mol. Res., 2014;13(4):8184-96.
PMID: 25299203 DOI: 10.4238/2014.October.7.13

The mosquito Aedes albopictus is indigenous to Southeast Asian and is a vector for arbovirus diseases. Studies examining the population genetics structure of A. albopictus have been conducted worldwide; however, there are no documented reports on the population genetic structure of A. albopictus in Malaysia, particularly in Penang. We examined the population genetics of A. albopictus based on a 445-base pair segment of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase 1 gene among 77 individuals from 9 localities representing 4 regions (Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah, Northeast, and Southwest) of Penang. A total of 37 haplotypes were detected, including 28 unique haplotypes. The other 9 haplotypes were shared among various populations. These shared haplotypes reflect the weak population genetic structure of A. albopictus. The phylogenetic tree showed a low bootstrap value with no genetic structure, which was supported by minimum spanning network analysis. Analysis of mismatch distribution showed poor fit of equilibrium distribution. The genetic distance showed low genetic variation, while pairwise FST values showed no significant difference between all regions in Penang except for some localities. High haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity was observed for cytochrome oxidase 1 mtDNA. We conclude that there is no population genetic structure of A. albopictus mosquitoes in the Penang area.
Fulltext Determination of malathion levels and the effect of malathion on the growth of Chrysomya megacephala (Fibricius) in malathion-exposed rat carcass

Rumiza Abd R, Osman K, Mohd Iswadi I, Raja Muhammad Z, Rogaya Abu H

Trop Biomed, 2008 Dec;25(3):184-90.
PMID: 19287355

This study was conducted to examine the effect of malathion on the development of Chrysomya megacephala. A total of 12 adult Sprague-Dawley rats was divided into 4 groups. Each animal in the 4 groups was given orally 0 (control), 10, 25 and 50ml/kg body weight of malathion, respectively. Chrysomya megacephala larvae were then allowed to grow on the liver of carcass. Larvae development was estimated by means of weight and length, time of adult emergence and survival rate. Results indicated that for the first 6 to 30 hours, larvae from control group developed more rapidly than larvae feeding on tissue containing malathion. However, the 3 doses of malathion did not exhibit significant impact on larvae length and weight. The time required for adult emergence was significantly greater for malathion-treated colony which was 10 days compared to 7 days in control colony. Control larvae of C. megacephala had higher survival rate compared to larvae exposed to the three different doses of malathion. Analysis of the tissues indicated that all rats and fly samples were positive for malathion. Malathion concentration was highest in liver. It was concluded that the presence of malathion altered the development rate of C. megacephala and thus disrupted normal postmortem interval estimation.
Educational intervention on delirium assessment using confusion assessment method-ICU (CAM-ICU) in a general intensive care unit

Ramoo V, Abu H, Rai V, Surat Singh SK, Baharudin AA, Danaee M, et al.

J Clin Nurs, 2018 Nov;27(21-22):4028-4039.
PMID: 29775510 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.14525

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess intensive care unit nurses' knowledge of intensive care unit delirium and delirium assessment before and after an educational intervention. In addition, nurses' perception on the usefulness of a delirium assessment tool and barriers against delirium assessment were assessed as secondary objectives.
BACKGROUND: Early identification of delirium in intensive care units is crucial for patient care. Hence, nurses require adequate knowledge to enable appropriate evaluation of delirium using standardised practice and assessment tools.
DESIGN: This study, performed in Malaysia, used a single-group pretest-posttest study design to assess the effect of educational interventions and hands-on practices on nurses' knowledge of intensive care unit delirium and delirium assessment.
METHODS: Sixty-one nurses participated in educational intervention sessions, including classroom learning, demonstrations and hands-on practices on the Confusion Assessment Method-Intensive Care Unit. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires for the pre- and postintervention assessments. Analysis to determine the effect of the educational intervention consisted of the repeated-measures analysis of covariance.
RESULTS: There were significant differences in the knowledge scores pre- and postintervention, after controlling for demographic characteristics. The two most common perceived barriers to the adoption of the intensive care unit delirium assessment tool were "physicians did not use nurses' delirium assessment in decision-making" and "difficult to interpret delirium in intubated patients".
CONCLUSIONS: Educational intervention and hands-on practices increased nurses' knowledge of delirium assessment. Teaching and interprofessional involvements are essential for a successful implementation of intensive care unit delirium assessment practice.
RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study supports existing evidences, indicating that education and training could increase nurses' knowledge of delirium and delirium assessment. Improving nurses' knowledge could potentially lead to better delirium management practice and improve ICU patient care. Thus, continuous efforts to improve and sustain nurses' knowledge become relevant in ICU settings.
Knowledge acquisition and retention among nurses after an educational intervention on endotracheal cuff pressure

Murugiah UR, Ramoo V, Jamaluddin MFH, Yahya A, Baharudin AA, Abu H, et al.

Nurs Crit Care, 2021 09;26(5):363-371.
PMID: 33569880 DOI: 10.1111/nicc.12600

BACKGROUND: Nurses play a key role in the proper management of endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff pressure, which is important for patients' safety, so it is vital to improve nurses' knowledge on safe cuff management practices.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention related to ETT cuff pressure management on improving and retaining critical care nurses' knowledge.
DESIGN: A single group pre-post interventional study was conducted involving 112 registered nurses (RNs) from a 24-bed adult general intensive care unit at a teaching hospital in Malaysia.
METHODS: The educational intervention included a theoretical session on endotracheal cuff pressure management and demonstration plus hands-on practice with the conventional cuff pressure monitoring method. Nurses' knowledge was measured using a self-administered questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. Data were analysed using repeated measure analysis of variance and bivariate analysis.
RESULTS: In this study, 92% of the total number of RNs in the unit participated. A significant difference in mean knowledge score was noted between the pre- (mean = 8.13; SD = 1.53) and post-intervention phases (3 months [mean = 8.97; SD = 1.57) and 9 months post-intervention [mean = 10.34; SD = 1.08), P

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