Kajian yang dijalankan ini bertujuan untuk melihat impak pengenalan instrumen derivatif ke atas kemeruapan pulangan saham di pasaran semerta. Kajian ini juga mengambil kira kesemua instrumen derivatif yang telah diperkenalkan di pasaran tempatan. Data harian bagi indeks komposit dan sebilangan indeks-indeks untuk setiap sektor akan digunakan di dalam kajian ini bagi mengkaji kesan secara keseluruhan dan mengikut sektor. Dengan menggunakan model GARCH terubahsuai iaitu dengan mengambil kira kesan perubahan struktur. Kajian ini mendapati wujudnya kesan yang bercampur-campur. Secara umumnya, pengenalan instrumen derivative mampu untuk mengurangkan tahap kemeruapan pulangan dan secara langsung menstabilkan pasaran saham. Tambahan pula, ia turut mempertingkatkan lagi kadar dan kualiti aliran maklumat ke dalam pasaran dan dengan demikian menjadikan pasaran saham bertambah efisien.
The discovery and invention of new medical applications may be considered blessings to humankind. However, some applications which might be the only remedy for certain diseases may contain ingredients or involve methods that are not in harmony with certain cultural and religious perspectives. These situations have raised important questions in medical ethics; are these applications completely prohibited according to these perspectives, and is there any room for mitigation? This paper explores the concept of darurah (necessity) and its deliberation in the formulation of fatwas on medicine issued by the National Fatwa Council of Malaysia. Darurah has explicitly been taken into consideration in the formulation of 14 out of 45 fatwas on medicine thus far, including one of the latest fatwas regarding uterine donation and transplantation. These fatwas are not only limited to the issues regarding the use of unlawful things as remedies. They include issues pertaining to organ transplantation, management of the corpse and treatment of brain dead patients. While deliberation of darurah in medicine may vary from issue to issue, darurah applies in a dire situation in which there are no lawful means to prevent harm that may be inflicted upon human life. Nevertheless, other aspects must also be taken into the deliberation. For example, consent must be obtained from the donor or his next of kin (after his death) to conduct a cadaveric organ transplantation.
This paper describes maslahah, a fundamental concept in Islam and its application in deliberating permissibility of human germline gene editing from an Islamic perspective. This paper refers to He Jiankui's research that led to the birth of the world's first gene edited babies, who were edited to be protected from HIV. The objective, procedure, and output of the research were assessed against the conditions of maslahah. It can be concluded that the experiment did not meet the conditions; it is inconsistent with the objectives of shariah (maqasid al-shariah) and some fundamental Islamic teachings that it did not preserve greater benefit, hence it could be considered impermissible.
The aims of the study were to determine the periodontal status of the teeth in contact with removable partial dentures (RPDs) and to compare them with other teeth in the opposing arch not related to any prosthesis. The periodontal status was also assessed in relation to the age of the dentures. Four hundred and twenty-seven patients treated with RPDs from 1981 to 1986 were recalled for examination. Prior to prosthetic treatment they were given periodontal treatment and fillings when required. Initially all were given oral hygiene instructions and motivation. They were reviewed regularly only on a short-term basis. Eighteen patients were suitable for the present study comprising of eight males and 10 females whose mean age was 41 years. The RPDs were in use from 1.5 to 8 years (mean 4.6 years). The following parameters were assessed: Plaque index (P1I), Gingival index (GI), loss of attachment (LA) and tooth mobility. The wearing of RPDs resulted in higher P1I, GI and LA compared to the controls and these differences were statistically significant. There was an increased frequency of higher P1I, GI and LA with the increase in denture age. Minor changes in tooth mobility were observed. It was concluded that the wearing of RPDs was detrimental to periodontal health in patients whose oral hygiene was less than adequate.
The aims of this study were to determine the dental and periodontal status and the associated treatment needs, other than that for prosthetic care, in patients who requested removable partial dentures. Forty-six patients who had never worn removable partial dentures before were examined for plaque index, tooth status, gingival index, loss of periodontal attachment and tooth mobility. Prior to prosthetic treatment, 15% of the teeth needed conservative treatment and 1% needed extractions. From the periodontal point of view, 65% of the teeth needed some form of related therapy, and 2% of the teeth were at risk of extraction due to advanced mobility.
Environmental strategies also known as environmental management practices that adopted by hotel management which help them to monitor their activities in order to preserve the environment. However, these strategies which include energy management, water conservation and waste management have their own impact toward customer green purchase intention. Understanding customer perception toward green product is crucial to attract customer in purchasing environmental-friendly hotel. This paper using self-administered questionnaire adapted from previous researchers with total of 400 respondents. From the findings, it showed that most of the respondents agreed that „designing parking areas under the hotel's building to reduce site footprint‟, „fixing toilet leaks immediately‟ and „encouraging recycling campaign by using refillable amenities‟ as the three main agreeable items in the environmental strategies. Most of the respondents also agreed that they were willing to stay in a hotel that practices environmental strategies. Importance implications for hoteliers and academicians been discussed through the investigation of this study.
Two different supercapacitor configurations were fabricated using coconut shell-based activated
carbon. Results for cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and charge-discharge measurements are presented and discussed for both configurations. The results show that coconut shell-based activated carbon is viable economical alternative electrode material to expensive activated carbon (AC) and carbon nano tubes (CNT). Meanwhile, the calculations from the charge-discharge characteristics show that the disk-shape supercapacitor, with 10% polyvinylidene fluoride binder (PVdF), has the highest specific capacitance (70F/g). Thus, the testing shows that the flat-laminated super-capacitor with 10% binder (PVdF) has the lowest (10.1ohms). Sources of high equivalent series resistance (ESR) are proposed and methods of reducing it are also discussed in this paper.
The consequence of postoperative infections associated with orthopaedic or biomaterial-associated implants is devastating to both the patients and the surgeons. Bacterial microcolonies adhere to the surface of implants, forming biofilms and then detaching part of itself into free-floating planktonic forms may be the cause of recurrent and persistent infections. These bacteria are very resistant towards antibiotics and require a higher drug concentration than usual in order to eradicate them. Quorem-sensing is regarded as one mechanism of communication or integration between these microorganisms in the biofilm and may even be in the transfer of resistant genes. Disruption of this pathway is regarded as one method of inhibiting its growth and formation. Implant design, technique and stability of fixation as well as the surface characteristics, the material and its biocompatibility may also influence bacterial adhesion. It has been suggested that multi-prong strategies such as prevention and disruption of biofilm formation, parenteral antibiotics, use of antibiotic-impregnated construction materials and altering the intrinsic properties of the implant surface may help to eradicate this menace.
Currently many dental implant systems with varied and numerous components are available commercially, and with new implant systems and designs emerging, it is essential that the user understands that any system selected should be based on sound scientific principles and capable of osseoil!tegration. This has been defined in many different ways, with biomaterial, biological and biomechanical factors being the main considerations. The final restoration is based on both biological tissue and mechanical components. As the success of osseointegration is based on the clinical outcome, clinicians must ensure that the stresses that the superstructure, implant, and surrounding bone are subjected to are within the tolerable limits of the various components, even though the degree of tolerance has not yet been fully defined.
A retrospective study of 102 hands with carpal tunnel syndrome which were treated conservatively initially. Patients who were successfully treated with this method were then compared with those who had failed with this method and had to be treated with surgical decompression. This study found that it took a mean period of about 5.1 months of conservative treatment before deciding on surgery. Generally, the study shows a predominant involvement of the right hand and the female sex as full-time homemakers. Those who finally needed surgery had a longer duration of symptoms prior to consultation. Surgery brought a faster relief from both pain and numbness. It is recommended that conservative treatment be abandoned after a trial period of at least three to five months in order to encourage a speedier recovery.
Selaras dengan ledakan pengetahuan berasaskan komputer dan teknologi pada abad ke-21, kaedah Pembelajaran Berasaskan Projek (PBP) atau Project Based Learning (PBL) telah diperkenalkan oleh Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia (KPM) pada tahun 2006. Pada awalnya, implementasi kaedah PBP telah dimulakan di sekolah-sekolah bestari perdana. Ini merupakan tinjauan literatur yang membincangkan takrifan dan teori yang digunapakai dalam kaedah PBP. Selain itu, perbandingan kaedah PBP dengan kaedah Pembelajaran Berasaskan Masalah (PBM) atau Problem Based Learning (PBL) turut dibincangkan memandangkan kedua-dua kaedah ini menggunakan akronim yang sama dalam bahasa Inggeris. Berdasarkan tinjauan literatur ini, didapati bahawa kaedah PBP mempunyai kelebihan dan kelemahan yang tersendiri, maka terpulang kepada budi bicara guru yang mengajar untuk mengaplikasikan kaedah ini dalam pengajaran dan pembelajaran (P dan P) bersesuaian dengan kebolehan murid.
This research investigated the unit-root tests using nonparametric sequences-reversals (S-R), Phillip-Perron (PP) tests and parametric Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test for the Malaysian equity indices. Under the considerations of drift and structural break, it was found that during the restructuring period after the Asian financial crisis, most of the indices provided evidences against the unit-root tests. These results are somewhat contrasted with the conventional unit-root tests that ignored the impact of structural changes. In addition, the S-R tests were found to have little power to identify the deviations from the unit-root even after the inclusion of structural break.
The behaviour of many financial time series cannot be modeled solely by linear time series model. Phenomena such as mean reversion, volatility of stock markets and structural breaks cannot be modelled implicitly using simple linear time series model. Thus, to overcome this problem, nonlinear time series models are typically designed to accommodate these nonlinear features in the data. In this paper, we use portmanteau test and structural change test to detect nonlinear feature in three ASEAN countries exchange rates (Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand). It is found that the null hypothesis of linearity is rejected and there is evidence of structural breaks in the exchange rates series. Therefore, the decision of using regime switching model in this study is justified. Using model selection criteria (AIC, SBC, HQC), we compare the in-sample fitting between two types of regime switching model. The two regime switching models we considered were the Self-Exciting Threshold Autoregressive (SETAR) model and the Markov switching Autoregressive (MS-AR) model where these models can explain the abrupt changes in a time series but differ as how they model the movement between regimes. From the AIC, SBC and HQC values, it is found that the MS -AR model is the best fitted model for all the return series. In addition, the regime switching model also found to perform better than simple autoregressive model in in-sample fitting. This result justified that nonlinear model give better in-sample fitting than linear model.
This paper describes the preparation of and experimentation undertaken by heterogeneous chitosan membrane as ion selective electrode for glutamate ion. The linearity response was obtained in the range of 1.0x10(-5) to 1.0x10(-1)M with a detection limit of 1.0x10(-6)M. The performance of the electrode was found in the pH range of 4.0-8.0 at temperature 25+/-3 degrees C. The response time was at 5-35s and was useful for a period of more than 4 months. The selectivity values towards some anions indicates good selectivity over a number of interfering anions. No significant improvement of membrane performance over additional of plasticizers such as 2-NPOE, BEHA and DOPP. The electrodes gave sufficient Nernstian responses with the exception of membrane with 2-NPOE.
Two hundred primary brain tumours in both adults and children from the year 1990 to 1998 presenting for treatment to the Neurosurgical Division of the Hospital of the University of Sciences Malaysia were studied retrospectively. Volumes of tumours were taken from CT scans with contrast using two formulas and divided into 4 groups: (1) less than 20 cm(3), (2) 20-50 cm(3), (3) 50-100 cm(3) (4) larger than 100 cm(3). The majority of the brain tumours were in the volume range of 50-100 cm(3), and are thus potentially curable with retroviral gene therapy.
This study was conducted to investigate the nutritional status of the rural population in Malaysia, especially women and children. A total of 262 women aged 18 and over and 183 children aged 2-6 years were selected using multistage cluster sampling from four locations in rural areas. It was found that the prevalence of malnutrition among children 2-6 years old ranged between 25.5% in the Malays Felda settlement scheme to 80% in the Orang Asli settlement. Malnutrition was associated with worm infestations, bottle feeding and early weaning. More than 30% of Orang Asli women were malnourished compared to less than 15% of Malay Felda settlement women. On the other hand, Malay women in the land settlement scheme had a higher risk of developing overweight and diabetes. Goitre was found among 11.5% of children; however, no cretinism was found. Breast feeding was still a common practice among rural mothers, but inadequate health education tended to reduce the duration of breast feeding and increased early weaning. Upgrading women's status in the rural areas will ultimately improve the nutritional and health status of the children and community as a whole.
The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among female drug abusers was determined by screening 130 new inmates of a rehabilitation centre. The majority of the subjects (77.7%) were self-confessed sex workers. A high prevalence of syphilis (50.8%), hepatitis B (52.2%), moniliasis (23.8%) and trichomoniasis (19.2%) were noted. Gonorrhoea vaginitis was seen in 8.5%, which was low compared to previous studies. Six subjects were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with 5 of them admitting to needle sharing and working as prostitutes. More than half of them harboured 2 or more STD. A rich reservoir of STD was seen among the drug abusers. With more evidence now available concerning the ease of HIV transmission associated with ulcerative STD, a stage could be set for greater heterosexual HIV transmission. As part of the rehabilitation process, female drug abusers need a thorough screening for STD followed by aggressive treatment regimens.
Three cases of occupational exposure to radio-frequency and microwave radiation were seen at the out-patient clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. They presented with run-down symptoms of neck strain associated with throbbing headache, irritability, loss of appetite, fatigue, memory difficulties, and numbness of extremities. They also presented with alopecia areata which is felt to be causally linked to the radiation exposure.
Study site: Outpatient clinic Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM)
A total of 38 cases of fireworks related injuries from Hospital USM over a 5-year period from 1986 to 1990 during Hari Raya festival were analysed. The majority (68.5%) of the patients were teenagers, between 10 to 19 years of age. All the cases were Malays and most of the accidents occurred before the Hari Raya Idilfitri festive seasons. Fourteen cases were caused by self-made fireworks and another 16 cases were due to modified fire-works. Twenty-four cases suffered permanent disabilities mostly finger amputations. Such injuries could be prevented by law enforcement coupled with public health education to modify social behaviour especially when the ban against the use of fireworks is lifted on religious grounds.
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared by reacting Kyllinga brevifolia extract (KBE) with AgNO3 aqueous solution at room temperature (22 ± 3 °C). The phytochemical constituents in KBE responsible for the reduction process were identified as carbohydrate, protein, and plant sterols (stigmasterol and campesterol). KBE was also found to function as a capping agent for stabilization of AgNPs. The AgNPs were stable at room temperature and had a quasi-spherical shape with an average particle size 22.3 nm. The use of KBE offers not only eco-friendly and non-pathogenic path for AgNPs formation, it also induced rapid formation of the AgNPs. Methylene blue (MB) removal was then done on the AgNPs in the presence of either KBE or NaBH4. Ninety-three percent removal of MB was achieved with a rate of reaction 0.2663 min-1 in the solution with KBE+AgNPs (pH 2). However, in NaBH4+AgNPs system, 100% MB removal was achieved at pH 8-10. The reaction rate was 2.5715 min-1 indicating a fast removal rate of MB dye. The process of reduction occurs via electron relay effect whereas in KBE+AgNPs system, sedimentation occurred along with the reduction process. Nevertheless, the use of KBE+AgNPs system is preferred as the reducing agent is more benign to the environment.