Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy and multiple daily insulin injections in type 1 diabetes mellitus: a comparative overview and future horizons.

INTRODUCTION: Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy is currently accepted as a treatment strategy for type 1 diabetes. Transition from multiple daily injection therapy (MDI; including basal-bolus regimens) to CSII is based on expectations of better metabolic control and fewer hypoglycaemic events. Evidence to date has not been always conclusive. AREAS COVERED: Evidence for CSII and MDI in terms of glycaemic control, hypoglycaemia and psychosocial outcomes is reviewed in the adult and paediatric population with type 1 diabetes. Findings from studies on threshold-based insulin pump suspension and predictive low glucose management (PLGM) are outlined. Limitations of current CSII application and future technological developments are discussed. EXPERT OPINION: Glycaemic control and quality of life (QOL) may be improved by CSII compared to MDI depending on baseline HbA1c and hypoglycaemia rates. Future studies are expected to provide evidence on clinical and cost effectiveness in those who will benefit the most. Training, structured education and support are important to benefit from CSII. Novel technological approaches linking continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and CSII may help mitigate against frequent hypoglycaemia in those at risk. Development of glucose-responsive automated closed-loop insulin delivery systems may reduce the burden of disease management and improve outcomes in type 1 diabetes.Support for the research work by JDRF, Seventh Framework Programme of the European Union, Diabetes UK, National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre

Performance analysis of EXP/PF and M-LWDF in downlink 3GPP LTE system

This paper investigates the performance of exponential/proportional fair (EXP/PF) and maximum-largest weighted delay first (M-LWDF) scheduling algorithms in the third generation partnership project long term evolution (3GPP LTE) providing packet-switched multimedia services. It, then, identifies a suitable packet scheduling algorithm on a basis of their performance evaluation. The performance evaluation is conducted in terms of system throughput, average real time (RT) and non-real time (NRT) throughput, packet loss for RT service and fairness for NRT service. A video streaming traffic is used to model the RT service, while a web-browsing traffic is modelled for NRT service. Simulation results show that at lower load M-LWDF algorithm provides better performance than EXP/PF while as the load increases the EXP/PF gives better performance. ©2009 IEEE

The Practices of Green Supply Chain Management towards Corporate Performances in Construction Industry

Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices has different impact on the corporate performances while practitioners are not willing to implement practices that is irrelevant to their organization. Hence, to ensure the most appropriate investment on GSCM is implemented, this study is conducted to identify the relationship between GSCM practices and corporate performances in Malaysia construction industry. To conduct a literature review to figure the relationship between GSCM practices and corporate performances. Systematic literature review method is adopted in data collection stage. The findings of the study show that the green practices are correlated to the corporate performances and a comprehensive conceptual framework is formed from this study to describe the relationships between GSCM practices and corporate performances in Malaysia construction industry. Research on GSCM in Malaysia is still less in construction industry. However, the findings provide crucial insights for potential practitioners due to it consistency with prior studies which are related to GSCM in other industries and countries. Implementation of GSCM improves corporate performances in various dimensions. The construction industry should understand the functions and relationship of each element in GSCM to achieve best performance outcome in the form they desired. A comprehensive conceptual framework which shows the relationships of GSCM and its impact construction industry which allow the potential practitioners to understand the potential improvement in corporate performances is constructed through the systematic literature review

Effect of short-term bee bread on testicular cell development and testosterone level in male Sprague Dawley rats

Bee bread has been widely traditionally used for male fertility enrichment although limited scientific data are available on its effectiveness. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of bee bread on testicular cell development and testosterone level in male Sprague Dawley rats. In this study, 24 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and divided equally into four treatment groups (n = 6/group) which were Control (C: 0 g of bee bread/kg body weight), Treatment 1 (T1: 1 g of bee bread /kg body weight), Treatment 2 (T2: 2 g of bee bread /kg body weight) and Treatment 3 (T3: 3 g of bee bread /kg body weight). The bee bread was administered daily and orally according to the designated treatment groups using oral gavage for 28 days. After 28 days of treatment, rats were euthanised and testicular cell development and testosterone level were measured. Results showed that rats in the T2 group had thicker (P<0.05) seminiferous tubular diameter (STD) than the control group and higher (P<0.05) seminiferous epithelial height (SEH) compared to C and T1 groups. The testosterone level in the T1, T2 and T3 groups was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to control. In conclusion, this study suggests that supplemented with 2 g of bee bread per kg body weight is likely to give a positive effect by improving testicular cells development and testosterone level in male Sprague Dawley rats

IMPACTS OF GREEN SITE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON ENERGY AND WATER CONSUMPTION EFFICIENCY IN THE MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

This study aims to investigate the impacts of green site management on corporate environmental and economic performances by improving the efficiency of energy and water consumption at construction sites. The identified green site management has been proven to improve both environmental and economic performances. This study allows practitioners to study and advocate for appropriate green site management strategies. A qualitative method was carried out since this research focused on the construction players’ opinions on green site management practices. Five contractors were selected randomly from the construction sites in Malaysia based on the convenience sampling method. All selected respondents were qualified to give opinions as they held management posts. The results have shown green site management practices can reduce the consumption of resources and improve energy efficiency management and water consumption management, which are considered to have a positive impact on the construction project’s environmental and economic performance. The findings also revealed that green site management practices implementation must not affect their economic performance, such as increasing the construction cost with high initial and maintenance costs. As the construction industry consumes a vast amount of water and energy daily, these consumption reductions can help construction sites achieve energy efficiency and utilize natural resources, eventually improving corporate environmental and economic performance. Thus, green practices must be implemented to bring sustainable development to the construction industry

Development of a novel fermented pumpkin-based beverage inoculated with water kefir grains: a response surface methodology approach

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) is well known for its health and nutritional benefits and is recommended for daily consumption. This is the first report on optimization and development of fermented pumpkin-based water kefir beverage. Optimum pumpkin puree and brown sugar concentrations were found at 22.28 and 9.07% w/v, respectively, were made into a pumpkin-based beverage and fermented with water kefir grains for 24 h at 32 �C. The optimized fermented pumpkin-based water kefir beverage was found to be non-alcoholic, achieved good overall acceptability and high Lactobacillus, acetic acid bacteria and yeast cell viability of approximately 1012, 109 and 109 CFU mL-1, respectively. Overall, the optimized product attained superb technological characteristics and has the potential for industrial exploitation as a refreshing water kefir drink

Prey identification of invasive peacock bass from Telabak Lake Malaysia using DNA barcoding technique

Invasive peacock bass Cichla spp. have recently invaded freshwater habitats across Malaysia. Stomach contents of 135 peacock bass captured from the Telabak Lake of East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia were analysed. The preys were examined using visual identification method and mitochondrial DNA barcoding technique to identify the partial digested and decaying preys in the stomach. The current study identified 7 prey species (6 fishes 43.0% and 1 shrimp 5.1%) belongs to 5 families in fishes’ stomach. The results revealed that peacock bass is highly predator and generalist feeder with an opportunistic feeding behaviour. It is highly important to reduce and monitor the abundance of this species for future survival of native species in the lake

Skeletal Deformities in Cultured Juvenile African Catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

Skeletal deformities in cultured fish are known worldwide and it had affected the survival, growth and appearance of the fish which contribute to production loss. Clarias gariepinus is known as number one farmed fish in Malaysia. C. gariepinus also effected in these deformities especially in cultured species. The objectives of this study are to identify the skeletal deformities that occur in juvenile stages and to compare the bone structure between the normal and deformed fish. A total of 50 juveniles’ fish were collected from Aquaculture Extension and Community Centre Machang, Kelantan. The juvenile was measured before undergo staining process. The fish were starved for one day then fixed in 70% ethanol for two weeks. The fish were then stained with alizarin red S for cartilage and Alcian blue for bone. The specimens were photographed in order to observe the deformities. The data showed only 13.0% juveniles have skeletal deformities, 10.9% with lordosis and 2.2% scoliosis. The cause of the deformities may be due to the heterogenous growth but other factors might also contribute to the problem. As the conclusion, the skeletal deformities observed in juvenile C. gariepinus were detected with the whole-mount staining method ranged from size 7.3 and 26.0 cm in total length. This study shows there is heterogenous growth rearing at low percentage even from skilled farm. Further study should concentrate on hidden factors that affected the deformity rate and mineralization of the juvenile fish

Awareness level and factors affecting intention of Penang construction industry toward green building development

Purpose – This study has identified the awareness level and factors that affecting the trend of practicing green in Pulau Pinang construction field. The participating firms are from developer background as these organizations are the main influencer to the industry. Property developers are the first stakeholder who initiate the construction project which means they are playing crucial roles in encouraging green practices in construction industry

Durability of Slag Based Geopolymer Stabilized Clay with High Moisture Condition

Clay soils, characterized by their cohesiveness and water retention capacity, exhibit low aeration and tend to swell when water is absorbed, leading to subsequent contraction. The moisture content significantly affects the properties of marine clay, resulting in low strength and high compressibility. Traditional stabilizers like lime, cement, gypsum, fly ash, GGBS, and zeolite have been extensively studied for their ability to enhance the compressive strength, reduce swelling potential, and improve the overall durability of the soil. These stabilizers offer numerous benefits in terms of soil properties and have been extensively researched. A total of 27 GGBS-treated specimens and 7 cement-treated specimens were cast and tested for the strength and durability characteristic. In the study, the variables are binder content of 10%, 20%, and 30%, activator/binder ratio of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0, and initial moisture content of 0.75wL, wL, and 1.25wL. Several kinds of experiments were carried out in order to investigate the qualities of stabilized clays, such as their unconfined compressive strength and their resistance to the effects of wetting and drying cycles. As the initial moisture content of the soil increased, the strength of the treated specimens decreased under unconfined compression and flexure. As a result, increasing the binder dose was necessary in order to achieve the strength requirements for high water content soils. Thus, it showed the use of a slag-geopolymer binder for the purpose of stabilizing soft soil is an alternative that is both effective and environmentally friendly