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Fulltext A data-envelopment analysis-based systematic review of the literature on innovation performance

Narayanan E, Binti Ismail WR, Bin Mustafa Z

Heliyon, 2022 Dec;8(12):e11925.
PMID: 36506397 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11925

Innovation imbued in every sector in every part of the world is essential to growth and development. The National Innovation Systems (NIS) use their resources to support economies in different countries foster a novel environment. Therefore, this study is an attempt to examine the efficiency of NIS as measured by scholars in the past using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Through a systematic literature review, this study aims to show the current dearth of studies on the efficiency of NIS. The literature is categorized accordingly and provides a framework with recommendations for future research. With the advent of technical tools, DEA programming methods other than traditional DEA such as network, relational network, dynamic network, slack based model, and super efficiency DEA have emerged. This enables the calculation of innovation efficiency to be efficient and reliable. As a result, DEA is regarded as a powerful tool for assessing the relative efficiency of NIS, which employs multiple inputs to generate multiple outputs. The results also suggest that future research is needed on the efficiency of innovation by paying more attention to cross-countries studies based on regions, geographical areas, participation in free trade blocs, and a group of tie-up countries involved, especially with comparative analyses regardless of the country classification. Another important observation is that there are few studies that focus on the efficiency of middle- and low-income countries. The comparative analysis of innovation efficiency across income groups enables NIS to benchmark itself against best-in-class innovators and improve their innovation performance and ranking. These findings provide an opportunity to further investigate how NIS add value and sustainability to countries by improving resource management capabilities to improve innovation efficiency.
Total petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments from the coastline and mangroves of the northern Persian Gulf

Mohebbi-Nozar SL, Zakaria MP, Ismail WR, Mortazawi MS, Salimizadeh M, Momeni M, et al.

Mar Pollut Bull, 2015 Jun 15;95(1):407-11.
PMID: 25843439 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.03.037

To provide baseline information for the marine ecosystem of Hormozgan province, the distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons was evaluated in 52 stations involved in the mangrove and coastline ecosystem. Coastline sampling sites included areas facing harbor, river, domestic and industrial discharge. Sediment samples were analyzed based on ultraviolet fluorescence spectroscopy. Petroleum hydrocarbons showed narrow variations ranging from non-detectable (ND) to 1.71 and from 0.2 to 0.63μg/g dry weight for coastline and mangrove sediments, respectively. The detected concentrations for total petroleum hydrocarbons were lower than guideline values for ecological risk. Furthermore, the minimum environmental risk was confirmed by background levels for the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and detected values for reference areas. The results were regarded as background data in the studied area, and, considering the rapid expansion of activities related to the petroleum industry in Hormozgan province, the continuous monitoring of pollutants is recommended.
Fulltext The Protective Effect of Maternal Folic Acid Supplementation on Childhood Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Case-control Studies

Wan Ismail WR, Abdul Rahman R, Rahman NAA, Atil A, Nawi AM

J Prev Med Public Health, 2019 Jul;52(4):205-213.
PMID: 31390683 DOI: 10.3961/jpmph.19.020

OBJECTIVES: Maternal folic acid supplementation is considered mandatory in almost every country in the world to prevent congenital malformations. However, little is known about the association of maternal folic acid intake with the occurrence of childhood cancer. Hence, this study aimed to determine the effects of maternal folic acid consumption on the risk of childhood cancer.
METHODS: A total of 158 related articles were obtained from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ProQuest using standardized keywords, of which 17 were included in the final review.
RESULTS: Eleven of the 17 articles showed a significant protective association between maternal folic acid supplementation and childhood cancer. Using a random-effects model, pooled odds ratios (ORs) showed a protective association between maternal folic acid supplementation and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (OR, 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66 to 0.86). However, there was no significant association between maternal folic acid supplementation and acute myeloid leukaemia (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.46 to 1.06) or childhood brain tumours (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.19).
CONCLUSIONS: Maternal folic acid supplementation was found to have a protective effect against childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Thus, healthcare professionals are recommended to provide regular health education and health promotion to the community on the benefits of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy.
Knowledge, attitude and practice levels regarding malaria among the Semai sub-ethnic indigenous Orang Asli communities in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia: a stepping stone towards the prevention of human malaria re-establishment

Samsudin L, Mohd Jaafar MF, Kamarulzaman MKA, Mohd Nor NN, Ahmad Shafei S, Mohamad Shukor NA, et al.

Malar J, 2024 Sep 05;23(1):269.
PMID: 39238007 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-05095-7

BACKGROUND: In Malaysia, despite a decline in cases, malaria remains a major public health concern, especially among the vulnerable indigenous people (i.e. Orang Asli) in remote areas. Effective preventive and control measures require an evidence-based understanding of their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding malaria. This study aimed to evaluate the KAP regarding malaria in an indigenous settlement in Peninsular Malaysia.
METHODS: A household-based cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2024 in six Semai sub-ethnic indigenous villages in Pos Lenjang, Kuala Lipis, Pahang. A structured questionnaire was administered to randomly selected individuals (≥ 12 years old) to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics and KAP. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and predictors of KAP were determined using logistic regression. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: A total of 267 individuals from 160 households were interviewed. Nearly half had good knowledge (49.4%) and positive attitudes (54.3%) towards malaria, with high practice scores for prevention and control (83.1%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed higher odds of good knowledge in those aged 40-59 years (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] = 6.90, p = 0.034), with primary (aOR = 2.67, p = 0.015) or secondary education (aOR = 2.75, p = 0.019), and with previous malaria history (aOR = 5.14, p