Co-gasification of Oil Palm Fronds, Wood Chips and Sugarcane Bagasse for Power Generation

Malaysia is rich with agriculture products that are suitable to be developed as sustainable and clean source of energy. Lignocellulosic biomass from residues of agriculture by-product has been studied for generation of power. These studies implied the ability of Malaysia’s biomass in reducing environmental pollution and in providing carbon-neutral energy generatio

Co-gasification of Oil Palm Fronds, Wood Chips and Sugarcane Bagasse for Power Generation

Malaysia is rich with agriculture products that are suitable to be developed as sustainable and clean source of energy. Lignocellulosic biomass from residues of agriculture by-product has been studied for generation of power. These studies implied the ability of Malaysia’s biomass in reducing environmental pollution and in providing carbon-neutral energy generatio

Pendekatan Mengurus Konflik dalam Rumah Tangga Bermadu: Approach in Managing Conflict in A Polygamous Household

Conflict is an unavoidable condition and is part and parcel of life in a household, especially in the lives of a polygamous household. This article aims to present the factors that contribute to household conflict and the approach in managing them. The data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with sampling techniques aimed at 5 sister-wives and 1 polygamous husband. The interview data transcriptions were analyzed to form themes and sub-themes and validation was performed using Cohen Kappa calculations. The data analysis revealed that the internal factors which trigger conflict are secretive marriage, lack of concern, jealousy, and misunderstanding, whereas the external factors are neglecting responsibility, difficulty in adjusting, and lack of communication. Among the approaches taken to manage this conflict are to hold discussions, to be generous, to be tolerant, to care for each other, to appreciate, to be patient, to accept the qada' and qadar of Allah Almighty, to protect the household’s honour, and to limit unimportant social activities. This finding can serve as a guide in the management of polygamous household conflicts. ABSTRAK Konflik adalah satu keadaan yang sukar dielakkan dan menjadi asam garam alam rumah tangga, lebih-lebih lagi dalam kehidupan rumah tangga bermadu. Artikel ini bertujuan mengemukakan faktor-faktor yang mencetuskan konflik rumah tangga bermadu serta pendekatan mengurusnya. Data diperolehi melalui temu bual separa berstruktur dengan teknik persampelan bertujuan iaitu terhadap 5 orang isteri bermadu dan 1 orang suami berpoligami. Transkripsi data temubual dianalisis bagi membentuk tema dan sub tema dan proses keesahan dilakukan menerusi pengiraan Cohen Kappa. Analisis data mengemukakan faktor dalaman yang mencetuskan konflik iaitu merahsiakan perkahwinan, kurang keprihatinan, perasaan cemburu dan salah faham manakala faktor luaran ialah pengabaian tanggungjawab, sukar membuat penyesuaian diri dan tiada komunikasi. Antara pendekatan yang dilakukan untuk mengurus konflik ialah mengadakan perbincangan, berlapang dada, bertolak ansur, menjaga hati, menghargai, sabar, redha dengan qada’ qadar Allah SWT, menjaga rahsia rumah tangga dan menghadkan aktiviti sosial yang tidak penting. Dapatan ini boleh djadikan panduan dalam pengurusan konflik rumah tangga bermadu.     &nbsp

The Study of Temperature Profile and Syngas Flare in Co-gasification of Biomass Feedstock in Throated Downdraft Gasifier

Biomass gasification is a common technology, which converted solid biomass into gaseous fuel at high temperature reactions in the presence of gasification agent. In this paper, co-gasification of lignocellulosic biomass materials with oil palm fronds (OPF) in a downdraft gasifier is presented. The biomass feedstocks considered were sugar cane bagasse (SCB) and wood (acacia mangium). Only one material was co-gasified with OPF at a time, with blending ratios of 80:20, 50:50 and 20:80. The resulting temperature profiles in the reactor and the syngas flare duration were recorded. It was found that the blend of 80:20 wood and OPF gave the best result as it produced the longest steady flare duration (49.5 min). On the other hand, a significant bridging problem was observed in the co-gasification OPF and SCB, and thus implying the need for process improvement

Analisis keperluan pembentukan model psikologi komunikasi isteri bermadu mengurus konflik rumah tangga

Pasangan rumah tangga poligami sering berhadapan dengan konflik dan menjadi buntu ekoran tidak tahu bagaimana kaedah untuk mengurus konflik yang berlaku. Artikel ini bertujuan mengenal pasti keperluan pembinaan model psikologi komunikasi isteri bermadu dalam mengurus konflik rumah tangga. Analisis keperluan ini dilaksanakan bertujuan bagi memastikan model yang bakal dibentuk memenuhi keperluan sasaran model dan menentukan spesifikasi model yang dibina. Proses analisis keperluan pembinaan model ini dijalankan menerusi temu bual separa berstruktur. Pemilihan informan dilakukan secara persampelan bertujuan iaitu lima orang isteri yang bermadu dan seorang suami yang berpoligami. Transkripsi data temu bual dianalisis bagi membentuk tema dan subtema. Proses kesahan tema dan subtema ini dilakukan menerusi kaedah pengiraan Cohen Kappa. Dapatan temu bual berkaitan keperluan pembinaan model ini mengutarakan empat tema dan subtema utama, iaitu: (1) Kewujudan konflik dalam rumahtangga bermadu, (2) Faktor-faktor berlakunya konflik rumah tangga bermadu, (3) Pendekatan dilakukan dalam mengurus konflik rumah tangga bermadu, dan (4) Keperluan pembangunan model. Pembinaan model ini boleh menjadi panduan kepada pasangan suami isteri dalam pengurusan konflik rumah tangga bermadu

Effect of a Screening and Education Programme on Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Regarding Osteoporosis among Malaysians

Background: Osteoporosis is an emerging geriatric condition with high morbidity and healthcare cost in developing nations experiencing rapid population ageing. Thus, identifying strategies to prevent osteoporosis is critical in safeguarding skeletal health. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a bone health screening and education programme on knowledge, beliefs, and practice regarding osteoporosis among Malaysians aged 40 years and above. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted from April 2018 to August 2019. During the first phase of the study, 400 Malaysians (190 men, 210 women) aged ≥ 40 years were recruited in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Information on subjects’ demography, medical history, knowledge, and beliefs regarding osteoporosis, physical activity status, and dietary and lifestyle practices were obtained. Subjects also underwent body anthropometry measurement and bone mineral density scan (hip and lumbar spine) using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device. Six months after the first screening, similar investigations were carried out on the subjects. Results: During the follow-up session, 72 subjects were lost to follow up. Most of them were younger subjects with a lower awareness of healthy practices. A significant increase in knowledge, beliefs (p < 0.05), calcium supplement intake (p < 0.001), and dietary calcium intake (p = 0.036) and a reduction in coffee intake (p < 0.001) were found among subjects who attended the follow-up. In this study, the percentage of successful referrals was 41.86%. Subjects with osteoporosis were mostly prescribed alendronate plus vitamin D3 by medical doctors, and they followed the prescribed treatment accordingly. Conclusions: The bone health screening and education programmes in this study are effective in changing knowledge, beliefs, and practice regarding osteoporosis. The information is pertinent to policymakers in planning strategies to prevent osteoporosis and its associated problems among the middle-aged and elderly population in Malaysia. Nevertheless, a more comprehensive bone health education program that includes long-term monitoring and consultation is needed to halt the progression of bone loss

Determinants of Bone Health Status in a Multi-Ethnic Population in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Background and objectives: Studies on osteoporosis risk factors are limited in Malaysia, so this study assesses the factors associated with bone health assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) among Malaysians aged ≥40 years. Subjects and Methods: Data on demography, medical history, dietary and lifestyle practices of 786 Malaysians (51.4% women) aged ≥40 years recruited in Klang Valley were obtained. Their body composition and bone health were determined using DXA. The association between risk factors and bone health status was assessed using binary logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of suboptimal bone health and osteoporosis was higher in women (59.4% and 16.1%) than men (40.8% and 8.4%). Overall, the predictors of suboptimal bone health and osteoporosis among the subjects were increased age and higher fat mass. Lower monthly income was positively associated with osteoporosis. Being menopausal was a risk factor for both suboptimal bone health and osteoporosis in women. Women with no formal education were more likely to get osteoporosis. Being a smoker and Chinese were positively related to suboptimal bone health among men. Meanwhile, predictors of osteoporosis among men were regular alcohol and dairy product consumption, higher fat mass and having a tertiary education. Conclusions: This study calls for immediate and effective interventions for middle-aged and elderly populations with risk factors to halt the progression of bone loss

Levels of Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Regarding Osteoporosis and the Associations with Bone Mineral Density among Populations More Than 40 Years Old in Malaysia

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder commonly found among the elderly, in which the bones become weak, brittle, and more susceptible to fracture. Adequate knowledge and positive attitude towards the disease and osteoprotective activities may prevent osteoporosis, but comprehensive studies to verify this hypothesis are limited in Malaysia. This study aims to bridge the research gap by determining the levels of knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding osteoporosis and their associations with bone mineral density (BMD) among men and women ≥ 40 years in Klang Valley, Malaysia. In this cross-sectional study, 786 Malaysians (382 men, 404 women) completed a questionnaire on knowledge, beliefs, and osteoprotective practices, and underwent BMD scan using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device. The current study found moderate levels of knowledge and beliefs regarding osteoporosis but poor osteoprotective practices. Osteoporosis knowledge, beliefs, and practices were significantly different based on subjects’ demographic characteristics (p < 0.05). Osteoporosis knowledge and beliefs were correlated significantly with osteoprotective practices (p < 0.05). Bone health status of the subjects was associated positively with calcium supplement intake, and negatively with exercise barriers and smoking status of the subjects (p < 0.05). However, no significant correlation was noted between osteoporosis knowledge and bone health (p > 0.05). Conclusively, despite some correlations between individual components, the detachment between bone health knowledge and beliefs, and osteoprotective practices among Malaysians is apparent. Integrating all three components into a comprehensive osteoporosis prevention program is warranted

Development of Osteoporosis Screening Algorithm for Population Aged 50 Years and above in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Background: The current osteoporosis screening instruments are not optimized to be used among the Malaysian population. This study aimed to develop an osteoporosis screening algorithm based on risk factors for Malaysians. Methods: Malaysians aged ≥50 years (n = 607) from Klang Valley, Malaysia were interviewed and their bone health status was assessed using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device. The algorithm was constructed based on osteoporosis risk factors using multivariate logistic regression and its performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristics analysis. Results: Increased age, reduced body weight and being less physically active significantly predicted osteoporosis in men, while in women, increased age, lower body weight and low-income status significantly predicted osteoporosis. These factors were included in the final algorithm and the optimal cut-offs to identify subjects with osteoporosis was 0.00120 for men [sensitivity 73.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 54.1%–87.7%), specificity 67.8% (95% CI = 62.7%–85.5%), area under curve (AUC) 0.705 (95% CI = 0.608–0.803), p < 0.001] and 0.161 for women [sensitivity 75.4% (95% CI = 61.9%–73.3%), specificity 74.5% (95% CI = 68.5%–79.8%), AUC 0.749 (95% CI = 0.679–0.820), p < 0.001]. Conclusion: The new algorithm performed satisfactorily in identifying the risk of osteoporosis among the Malaysian population ≥50 years. Further validation studies are required before applying this algorithm for screening of osteoporosis in public

Comparing the performance of body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio in predicting Malaysians with excess adiposity

Background Body mass index (BMI) is a widely used surrogate tool to screen for obesity/adiposity, but it cannot differentiate between lean and fat mass. Thus, alternative tools to detect excess adiposity should be identified. Aim This study aimed to compare the performance of BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) in predicting Malaysians with excess body fat defined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Subjects and methods A total of 399 men and women aged ≥40 years were recruited from Klang Valley, Malaysia. The body composition of the subjects, including body fat percentage, was measured by DXA. The weight, height, WC and WHtR of the subjects were also determined. Results BMI [sensitivity = 55.7%, specificity = 86.1%, area under curve (AUC) = 0.709] and WC (sensitivity = 62.7%, specificity = 90.3%, AUC = 0.765) performed moderately in predicting excess adiposity. Their performance and sensitivity improved with lower cut-off values. The performance of WHtR (sensitivity = 96.6%, specificity = 36.1, AUC = 0.664) was optimal at the standard cut-off value and no modification was required. Conclusion The performance of WC in identifying excess adiposity was greater than BMI and WHtR based on AUC values. Modification of cut-off values for BMI and WC could improve their performance and should be considered by healthcare providers in screening individuals with excess adiposity