Predictors of upper limb disorders among a public university workers in Malaysia

Background: Upper Limb Disorder (ULD) includes a wide range of musculoskeletal diseases and syndromes, which are usually associated with pain and discomfort. The major forms of musculoskeletal disease that account for significant work-related morbidity include upper limb disorders. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of upper limb disorders among a public university worker. Methodology: A cross sectional study design and simple random sampling was used to select six out of fifteen faculties. A total 271 participants were selected from the list of workers name during 20th of May 2014 to 1st of September 2014. Data were collected by face-to-face interview based on standardizes Nordic questionnaire. Weight was measured with a digital (TANITA Weighing Scale) and height by using (SECA206 bodymeter). Results: The results of this study showed that the response rate was 86%, the prevalence of ULDs among staffs of public university in Malaysia was 67.2% in different body regions, while neck had the highest prevalence 147 (54.2%) and elbows had the lowest prevalence 35 (13%). In addition, significant association were found between ULDs with age, smoking, BMI, exercise and duration of employment (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that BMI and exercise were significant predictors of ULDs. Conclusion: The prevalence of upper limb disorders among public university workers is high (67.2%). The major risk factors responsible for ULDs was BMI and exercise among public university workers, so workers should be educated on how to maintain an optimal BMI through the consumption of appropriate meals and regular exercise recommended in order to prevent ULDs and other related musculoskeletal problems

Modelling multiscale aspects of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is responsible for nearly half a million deaths annually world-wide [11]. We present a series of mathematical models describing the dynamics of the intestinal epithelium and the kinetics of the molecular pathway most commonly mutated in CRC, the Wnt signalling network. We also discuss how we are coupling such models to build a multiscale model of normal and aberrant guts. This will enable us to combine disparate experimental and clinical data, to investigate interactions between phenomena taking place at different levels of organisation and, eventually, to test the efficacy of new drugs on the system as a whole

Technical and vocational education students’ perception of using learning videos during Covid-19 pandemic period

The closure of Higher Education Institutions and Schools due to COVID-19 pandemic has affected the structure of Learning and Teaching (T&L) from direct method at institutions to Open and Distance Education (ODE) completely. All face-to-face T&L activities are not allowed except for certain categories of students who need to return to campus in stages to participante in T&L activities in full compliance of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) set by prioritizing safety measures and social distancing. This study used a quantitative approach by using online questionnaire as instrument (google form). A total of 73 Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) students from various backgrounds of respondents participated in the study. The findings of the study showed that there was a strong correlation between the aspects of interest and gender of TVE students in using learning videos during the COVID-19 pandemic period (r = .701). Therefore, all parties must prepare to face the new norm, namely the ODL method as a whole during the COVID-19 pandemic period to continue the T&L process for students

Analysis of a Metal Matrix Composites Automotive Component

This study presents an implementation of concurrent engineering (CE) and an analytical network process to form a new rating method as part of the manufacturing process and material analysis in the product development environment. The proposed procedure is referred to as a concurrent network (CN). It is planned for CN to carry out simultaneous analysis of all aspects of product elements by using CE strategy. Furthermore, CN enables interdependence and interrelationship analysis between product elements by implementing ANP. In this study, CN is utilized for the manufacturing process and material analysis of a metal matrix composites (MMCs) automotive component which is the brake disc. The results show that by using CN, all the product parameters can be analyzed comprehensively and the importance weights of the product parameters with regard to the MMCs brake disc performance are obtained. It is concluded that in the manufacturing process cluster the primary process parameter has the highest score, while in the material cluster the ranking is dominated by mechanical properties. This means that these sub-conceptual parameters are the most important ones to consider in order to achieve the required performance of the product

Correlation Between Cutting Force and Residual Stress in Dry End-Milling of Inconel HX

Residual stress in the end-milled subsurface can significantly affect the fatigue performance of end-milled material. In the end-milling process, the generation of residual stress is extremely complex, which is closely related to the spindle speed, feed per tooth and cutting force. Thus, it is crucial to elucidate the influence of spindle speed and feed per tooth on cutting force and residual stress, also the correlation between cutting force and residual stress in terms of spindle speed and feed per tooth. According to this, dry end-milling of Inconel HX was performed by climb-milling using Kennametal KYS40 solid ceramic end-mill. From this experimental test, cutting force and residual stress showed a U-shaped relationship with the increase of spindle speed, while cutting force and residual stress showed a linear relationship with the increase of feed per tooth. Furthermore, for low cutting force and residual stress, the focus should be on choosing the optimum combination of spindle speed (21,400 to 24,100 rpm) and feed per tooth (0.014 to 0.016 mm/tooth)

Correlation Between Cutting Force and Residual Stress in Dry End-Milling of Inconel HX

Residual stress in the end-milled subsurface can significantly affect the fatigue performance of end-milled material. In the end-milling process, the generation of residual stress is extremely complex, which is closely related to the spindle speed, feed per tooth and cutting force. Thus, it is crucial to elucidate the influence of spindle speed and feed per tooth on cutting force and residual stress, also the correlation between cutting force and residual stress in terms of spindle speed and feed per tooth. According to this, dry end-milling of Inconel HX was performed by climb-milling using Kennametal KYS40 solid ceramic end-mill. From this experimental test, cutting force and residual stress showed a U-shaped relationship with the increase of spindle speed, while cutting force and residual stress showed a linear relationship with the increase of feed per tooth. Furthermore, for low cutting force and residual stress, the focus should be on choosing the optimum combination of spindle speed (21,400 to 24,100 rpm) and feed per tooth (0.014 to 0.016 mm/tooth)

Determining Damaging Fatigue Cycles under Influence of Random Loadings using the Root-Mean-Square Level / M. Mahmud ...[et al.]

The aim of this paper is to investigate the damaging fatigue cycles criterion using the root-mean-square level under the influence of random loads for coil spring. Fatigue life cycle analysis especially in signal processing involves high computational effort because it deals with large quantity of data from vibratory loads obtained from the coil spring. The captured data of frequent low amplitude cycles generally consist of noise or vibrations which are meaningless and not significant for analysis. Therefore, a criterion using the root-mean-square level is proposed in assessing fatigue life of the captured strain signal from the coil spring. Four strain signals were analysed statistically using global statistics and distribution fitting. Fatigue damage was determined using the Morrow model and control charts were used in the classification of predefined damaging cycles. For evaluating the contribution of these cycles to fatigue damage, cycle elimination process was performed. The results showed a significant reduction of 48%−62% in damage values with damage probability ranging from 0.9362 to 0.9999. Hence, the criterion is useful and has potential to be extended in determining damaging cycles in fatigue analysis in indicating the damaging effects for coil spring