Reliability and validity for measurement of body composition: A field method

Measurement of body composition via a field method has the most popular instruments which are used to estimate the percentage of body fat. Among the instruments used are the Body Mass Index, Bio Impedance Analysis and Skinfold Test. All three of these instruments do not involve high costs, do not require high technical skills, mobile, save time, and are suitable for use in large populations. Because all three instruments can estimate the percentage of body fat, but it is important to identify the most appropriate instruments and have high reliability. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the reliability and convergent validity of the instruments. A total of 40 students, males and females aged between 13 and 14 years participated in this study. The study found that the test retest and Pearson correlation coefficient of reliability for the three instruments is very high, r = .99. While the inter class reliability also are at high level with r = .99 for Body Mass Index and Bio Impedance Analysis, r = .96 for Skinfold test. Intra class reliability coefficient for these three instruments is too high for Body Mass Index r = .99, Bio Impedance Analysis r = .97, and Skinfold Test r = .90. However, Standard Error of Measurement value for all three instruments indicates the Body Mass Index is the most appropriate instrument with a mean value of .000672 compared with other instruments. The findings show that the Body Mass Index is an instrument which is the most accurate and reliable in estimating body fat percentage for the population studied.Keywords: Reliability, Validity, Body Mass Index, Bio Impedance Analysis and Skinfold Test

TEACHERS’ ENGAGEMENT IN SOCIAL SUPPORT PROCESS ON A NETWORKING SITE

This paper is part of a larger study investigating teachers’ engagement in social support process on a networking site. It concentrates on the social and discursive practices of 20 Malaysian English language teachers as they co-construct social support on Facebook Timelines. The main data generated from participant observations were analysed using discourse analysis approach. The findings revealed that the teachers mainly post about negative experiences at school, such as facing colleagues and students whom they perceived as problematic and time pressure. By posting their negative experiences, teachers can be seen to initiate the co-construction of both emotional and informational support with Friends they believe are like-minded and supportive. This paper thus argues that teachers' postings on social networking sites are more than just an account of mundane teaching-related experiences, but serve as a mechanism for them to obtain social support to help them reflect on their practice and cope with the emotional turmoil arising from day-to-day challenges at school. Keywords: Social support, Malaysian English language teacher, Facebook Timeline, co-construction, discursive identity.Cite as: Rashid, R.A., Rahman, M.F.A., & Rahman, S.B.A. (2016). Teachers’ engagement in social support process on a networking site. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 1(1), 34-45.  http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol1iss1pp34-4

Validity and reliability of external apical root resorption (EARR) measurements: a 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of external apical root resorption (EARR) measurements on commercial and open source software. The data sources were CBCT high volumetric data acquisition from the Malay ethnic group who are undergoing orthodontic treatment in School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. A total of 16 CBCT radiograph with 512 variables were measured using the Planmeca Romexis TM Software 2.3.1.R (Helsinki, Finland) and 3D Slicer v. 4.8.1 (open-source software, http://www.slicer.org). Two examiners (A and B) carried out all the measurements of the selected radiographs using the two softwares. Intra class correlation (ICC) coefficient test was applied to check the validity and reliability of EARR measurements. The validity of the 3D EARR measurements from both examiners A and B showed strong correlations. Moreover, ICC co-efficient values of inter examiner A and B were all in the range of strong correlation for EARR measurements in which reliability coefficient values were comparable with the measurements using Planmeca Romexis and 3D Slicer, respectively. All ICC coefficient values were positively correlated. Linear measurements of EARR using 3D CBCT in both commercial and open source software and are valid and reliable

Fire structural properties of sandwich composites

The main aim of this PhD project is to investigate the fire structural properties of a sandwich composite representative of the material used in naval ship structures. Using experimental techniques and analytical models, this PhD investigates the structural response of sandwich composites during and following fire exposure. The thermal, physical and mechanical processes controlling the softening and failure of the sandwich composite under structural loading and one-sided heating by fire are determined. Two important structural loading cases of axial tension and axial compression are studied together with different radiant heat flux conditions representative of fires with different flame temperatures. To thoroughly understand the fire response of sandwich composites, this PhD determines the temperature response, softening behaviour, deformation, damage and failure mechanisms for different loading conditions, stress levels and heat flux conditions. In post-fire structural properties, reductions to the tensile and compressive properties of sandwich composites following fire exposure are investigated experimentally and analytically. The processes and mechanisms controlling the post-fire stiffness and strength properties of sandwich composites are determined. This PhD project also assesses the effect of water absorption on the fire structural response of sandwich composites. The sandwich composite was exposed to a hot-wet environment for increasing periods of time to controllably alter the amount of absorbed water. The effect of absorbed water on the thermal and mechanical responses of the sandwich composite in fire is experimentally determined. The research determines changes to the thermal response, damage, softening rate and failure mode of the sandwich material with increasing concentration of absorbed water up to and above saturation. This PhD research work establishes a better understanding of mechanical performance and failure mechanisms of sandwich composite structures at high temperature and in fire. In addition, the research identifies the thermal, physical and mechanical processes that control the structural survivability of sandwich composites during and following fire exposure. The research provides the foundation for the development of design models and guidelines for sandwich composite structures for high fire risk applications, thus improving fire safety for ships, offshore platforms, civil infrastructures and other uses for these materials

Efficacy and economics of different herbicides in aerobic rice system

Aerobic rice system, the most promising irrigation water saving rice production technology, is highly impeded by severe weed pressure. Weed control through the use of same herbicide causes development of herbicide resistant weed biotypes and serious problem in weed management. This study was aimed at finding out herbicides with different mode of actions to suggest effective weed control herbicide technology in aerobic rice system. This study was conducted at Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Seberang Perai Station, Penang, Malaysia during off season 2008 (April – July 2008) and main season 2008-2009 (November 2008 – February 2009) to evaluate fourteen and eight combinations of different locally available herbicides, in the off season and main seasons, respectively. A weed free control and a weedy check treatment were also included in the both trials. The trial used a RCB design with three replications in the off season and four replications in the main season, respectively. Twenty one (21) weed species were found in the aerobic rice field but two species (Eleusine indica and Digitaria ascendens) appeared as dominant. Based on the weed control efficiency, weed index values and net benefit from economic analysis, it appeared that the herbicide combinations such as Propanil/Benthiocarb fb Bentazone/MCPA or Cyhalofopbutyl+ Bensulfuron fb Bentazone/MCPA or Pendimethalin fb Cyhalofop-butyl+ Bensulfuron fb Bentazone/MCPA or Pretilachlor+Pendimethalin fb Bentazone/MCPA could be the possible alternative options for effective and economic weed control in rice under aerobic system towards avoiding development of herbicide resistance in weed. Manual weeding is not at all cost-effective. The selected herbicide combinations could be used in rotation for sustainable weed management and to run the aerobic rice system as a profitable business venture.Key words: Herbicide combination, summed dominance ratio, weed control efficiency, weed index, rice yiel

Chronic organic arsenic induced liver ultra structural damage

Introduction: Inorganic arsenic is one of the environmental toxins that has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and vascular contributions to liver diseases. It has generally been thought to be more toxic than organic arsenic. In human liver, inorganic arsenic promotes vascular remodelling, portal fibrosis and hypertension. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether chronic exposure to organic arsenic impair liver ultrastructure as in inorganic arsenic exposure. Materials and Methods: Twenty eight male SpragueDawley rats were divided into 2 groups with their own control group. They received oral intubation of monosodium- methylarsonate (MSMA) at 63.30 mg/kg body weight for 4 and 6 months duration respectively while the control groups received distilled water. The liver of euthanized rats were perfused- fixed with glutaraldehyde for transmission electron microscopy processing. Results: TEM revealed a marked reduction in the number of mitochondria in both treatment groups. Some typical features of apoptosis are present with pyknotic nuclei of hepatocytes and disintegrated hepatic cytoplasm in 4- month groups. The microvilli of hepatocyte are almost completely absent with the presence of many fibre bundles (collagen fibres) widening the space of Disse. In 6-month treatment group, disintegrated cytoplasms are more prominent with degrading mitochondria of varying stages. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) of 6-month treatment group are noted to have chromatin condensation with few caveolae seen. Conclusion: Chronic exposure of MSMA leads to necrotic changes of hepatocytes and apoptotic changes in LSEC and collagenisation in the space of Disse

Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cell (LSEC) isolation following a liver perfusion technique

Introduction: Liver perfusion has been the standard method to digest and isolate liver cells including liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). Poor cannulating skills through portal vein results in a waste of animal resource. Familiarization of both liver perfusion technique and adhering strictly to aseptic technique during cell handling ensure high cell yield, minimum morphology disruption and cell contamination. We aimed to present a method of liver perfusion procedure followed by the isolation of LSEC. Materials and method: The study was conducted with the approval of IACUC committee. Seven Sprague Dawley rats underwent these procedures under anaesthesia. Liver perfusion was done as previously described. Briefly, LSEC were isolated by liberase enzyme perfusion of the liver, isopycnic sedimentation in a two- step Percoll gradient and selective adherence. The purification and cultivation of LSEC was evaluated by light and electron microscopy. Results: Purity and viability of LSEC after selective adherence was 80.5 ± 3.5% and ≥ 95 %, respectively. The average concentration of the cells ranged from 32 - 75 x 106 per 400 gm rat. After 8 hours of culture, LSEC monolayers were contaminated with less than 5% of other cells. Conclusion: This method is reliable and reproducible for the isolation of LSEC to enable the study of structure and function of these cells in vitro. However, improvement on the perfusion skills and isolation technique are vital to ensure better cell purity

Entrepreneurial intention and social entrepreneurship among students in Malaysian higher education

The recent instability in economy was found to be influencing the situation in Malaysia whether directly or indirectly. Taking that into consideration, the government needs to find the best approach to balance its citizen’s socio-economic strata level urgently. Through education platform is among the efforts planned and acted upon for the purpose of balancing the effects of the influence, through the exposure of social entrepreneurial activity towards youth especially those in higher institution level. Armed with knowledge and skills that they gained, with the support by entrepreneurial culture and environment while in campus; indirectly, the students will lean more on making social entrepreneurship as a career option when they graduate. Following the issues of marketability and workability of current graduates that are becoming dire, research involving how far the willingness of student to create social innovation that contribute to the society without focusing solely on personal gain is relevant enough to be conducted. With that, this research is conducted with the purpose of identifying the level of entrepreneurial intention and social entrepreneurship among higher institution students in Malaysia. Stratified random sampling involves 355 undergraduate students from five public universities had been made as research respondents and data were collected through surveys. The data was then analyzed descriptively using min score and standard deviation. The study found that the entrepreneurial intention of higher education students are on moderate level, however it is the contrary for social entrepreneurship activities, where it was shown on a high level. This means that while the students only have moderate level of willingness to be a social entrepreneur, they are very committed to created social innovation through the social entrepreneurship activities conducted. The implication from this study can be contributed towards the higher institution authorities in prediction the tendency of student in becoming social entrepreneurs. Thus, the opportunities and facilities for realizing the courses related to social entrepreneurship must be created expansively so that the vision of creating as many social entrepreneurs as possible can be achieved

External Apical Root Resorption and IL-1A, IL-1RN Gene Polymorphisms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies

Objective: To reconnoiter the IL-1A (-889) and IL-1RN (+2018) gene polymorphisms and their association with EARR. Material and Methods: The Science Direct, PubMed and Scopus databases were comprehensively searched by two independent reviewers. In addition, the bibliographies of all relevant publications and textbooks were searched manually. A meta-analysis was performed using data available up to May 9, 2020. Results: A total of 13 and 9 publications were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively for both IL-1A and IL-1RN genes. Odds ratio (OR) was used to evaluate the association of the gene polymorphism and the risk of EARR. The risk of EARR was estimated using the overall OR from the published studies. No association was found for IL-1A gene for the risk of EARR. However, the dominant and co-dominant models of IL-1RN gene polymorphism were associated with the risk of EARR. Conclusion: More studies are warranted to determine the relationship between IL-1A and IL-1RN gene polymorphisms and EARR for a clearer understanding of their interactions