Learning through interaction:Social communication in autism: assessment and intervention

Learning to take part in a larger society asks for knowledge, insight, learning opportunities (i.e., social interactions), which together gradually result in the development of social skills. The current thesis aims to first improve our knowledge on the social communication skills of adolescents classified as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD), to subsequently investigate assumed improvements in social communication assessment and intervention in adolescents with ASD

Learning through interaction:Social communication in autism: assessment and intervention

Learning to take part in a larger society asks for knowledge, insight, learning opportunities (i.e., social interactions), which together gradually result in the development of social skills. The current thesis aims to first improve our knowledge on the social communication skills of adolescents classified as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD), to subsequently investigate assumed improvements in social communication assessment and intervention in adolescents with ASD

Isteri sebak terima ijazah suami, ayah naik pentas terima diploma anak

PAYA BESAR, 8 November 2022 - Suasana sebak menyelubungi dewan tatkala nama dibacakan sewaktu ahli keluarga naik ke pentas mewakili graduan dalam sesi keenam Majlis Konvokesyen Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) Ke-17

Wives tearfully receive husbands degrees, father receives sons diploma

PAYA BESAR, 8 November 2022 - A emotional atmosphere enveloped the hall as names were read out as family members took to the stage representing graduands in the sixth session of the 17th Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) Convocation Ceremony

Self-perceived anxiety symptoms and its associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients in rural communities of Malaysia / Azlina Wati Nikmat, Mohd Ariff Fadzil and Sakinah Idris

Little is known about anxiety symptoms among diabetic patients, especially among those who are living in rural areas in Malaysia. Thus, the aim of this paper is to investigate the prevalence of anxiety among diabetic patients and factors associated with anxiety in rural communities in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 464 diabetes mellitus patients in rural health districts and outpatient clinics in Malaysia was conducted. Each participant was interviewed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Respondents consisted of 193 (41.6%) males and 271 (58.4%) females. The mean age of participants was 59.65 ± 10.16 years and the mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 6.9 ± 6.3 years. Results indicate that 15% of the participants have anxiety symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with history of ischemic heart disease and depression and those who were underweight have higher anxiety scores with adjusted OR 5.06 (95% CI 1.79 to 14.27), 27.71 (95% CI 14.23 to 53.98) and 14.6 (95% CI 2.49 to 84.82), respectively. Conclusions: This study suggests that although the prevalence of anxiety among diabetics is low, primary care physician should be trained to identify high risk patients and to manage their condition in order to improve the clinical outcome

Kesan gelembung udara dan auksin bagi penginduksian akar pada tunas arundina graminifolia dalam sistem rendaman berterusan tertutup

Arundina graminifolia atau orkid buluh adalah orkid yang hidup di atas tanah, tahan panas dan penyakit, mudah dijaga, berbunga sepanjang tahun dan sangat sesuai untuk dijadikan tanaman landskap di kawasan terbuka. Kebiasaannya, A. graminifolia dibiak melalui pembahagian rumpun dan kultur tisu. Kadar pembiakan daripada kaedah ini adalah sangat rendah dan mengambil masa yang lama untuk memperbanyakkan bahan tanaman. Penggunaan sistem rendaman berterusan tertutup (CPIS) telah berjaya mempercepatkan penginduksian mata tunas A. graminifolia. Namun, penginduksian akar mengambil masa yang agak lama iaitu melebihi tiga bulan. Oleh yang demikian, kajian ini bertujuan untuk menambahbaik sistem CPIS dengan menambah gelembung udara bagi mempercepatkan penginduksian akar pada tunas A. graminifolia. Seterusnya, penggunaan auksin asid naftalenasetik (NAA) dan asid indol-3-butirik (IBA) bagi meningkatkan peratus pengakaran pada tunas A. graminifolia turut dijalankan. Kehadiran gelembung udara di dalam sistem CPIS menunjukkan terdapat peningkatan yang signifikan untuk kelebaran, ketinggian dan kerenggangan mata tunas berbanding dengan CPIS tanpa kehadiran gelembung udara. Tunas yang terhasil dalam sistem CPIS dengan kehadiran gelembung udara juga mampu menghasilkan akar (10% tunas yang berakar) berbanding dengan sistem CPIS tanpa kehadiran gelembung udara yang langsung tidak menghasilkan akar. Penginduksian akar pada tunas A. graminifolia menggunakan IBA dan NAA dengan kepekatan 0, 0.5, 1.0 dan 1.5 ppm menunjukkan perbezaan yang signifikan berbanding kawalan. Penggunaan hormon NAA dengan kepekatan yang semakin meningkat telah meningkatkan purata panjang akar, namun memberi kesan sebaliknya diperhatikan pada rawatan IBA. Kesimpulannya, sistem CPIS dengan kehadiran gelembung udara berserta hormon NAA 1.5 ppm mampu menginduksi dan meningkatkan peratus pengakaran A. graminifolia dengan lebih cepat

Psychometric Properties of the Dutch Contextual Assessment of Social Skills (CASS):An Independent Observational Outcome Measure of Social Skills in Autistic Adolescents

The goal of this study was to translate and adapt the original 9-item of the Contextual Assessment of Social Skills (CASS) to a Dutch version and assess its psychometric qualities. Autistic adolescents aged 12 to 18 years (n = 99) took part in a randomized controlled trial. In this study, pre-intervention data were utilized. The original CASS was adapted to ensure cultural relevance and the content validity was assessed. Data was used to assess reliability and structural validity, using confirmatory factor analysis. 4-item were added to the CASS during the adaptation to better align with the objectives of the experimental intervention. The original 9-item had inter-item correlations between.01 and.70. The Cronbach’s alpha for the original 4-item total score was moderate (α =.69), while for a 7-item total score, it was high (α =.86). This 7-item total score had a sufficient model fit (Comparative Fit Index =.90). This total score had a significant correlation with the Assertion subscale of the Social Skills Improvement System-Adolescent (SSIS-A) (r = 0.26, p &lt;.01), and the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2) total score (r = − .21, p =.04) indicating sufficient convergent validity. The CASS total score was not correlated with the Repetitive and Restricted Behavior scale of the SRS-2 (r = − .08, p =.43), indicating sufficient divergent validity. The Dutch CASS can be considered a conceptually sound and reliable observational instrument for assessing social conversational skills in Dutch autistic youth. Further evaluation of its feasibility when implemented in practice, outside of clinical research, is needed. Trial registration: Dutch trail register NTR6255 (NL6117) 08/02/2017 https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6117.</p

Properties of Nitrocellulose from Acacia mangium

Alternatives for petroleum-based products are much needed now due to the depletion of resources and the negative impact of its usage. Amongst the many renewable alternatives of cellulose-based products, nitrocellulose is the oldest and longest thriving derivatives in the world, obtaining a long line of utilization such as biodegradable plastics and film, wood coatings, nail lacquer, automotive paints, and leather finishes. The inexhaustible selection of raw materials for nitrocellulose production are easily obtainable from the copious lignocellulose materials, primarily from cotton and wood pulp. In this study, the Acacia mangium, which is a timber species that heavily populates the plantation of Sabah, in pulp form are used to produce nitrocellulose. The objectives of this research was to determine the physical and chemical attributes of the nitrocellulose from two different sizes of A. mangium particles (75 and 150 μm), such as its degree of substitution, nitrogen content, rate of efficiency and weight percentage gained. The production method of nitrocellulose includes the nitration process of the A. mangium pulp with nitric and sulphuric acid, followed by repeated stabilizing procedures using hot water, and finally the extraction process. Among the different sizes, the 75 μm sample showed a lower degree of substitution and nitrogen content compared to the other, but however showed higher rate of efficiency and weight percentage gained. This is due to the higher surface area per volume for the 75 μm samples but which contradicts in DS value due its higher affinity towards absorbing other materials more than the nitrate itself. This was further proven by the infrared and EDX spectra, where the 75 μm sized sample was absorbing more elements but at a lower concentration than the other. This goes to show that samples with a higher surface area per volume does not guarantee a better substitution of nitrate in nitrocellulose production due to the non-specific preference of cellulose absorption

Development and preliminary testing of the Dutch version of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®)

The content of interventions targeting social behavior is sensitive to cultural differences in etiquette and societal customs. Here we describe (1) the process of linguistic and cultural adaptation of the PEERS® social skills program to the Dutch language and culture, and (2) the results from a preliminary adaptation test among 32 adolescents (12–18 years old) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although some important cultural adaptations were made, the similarities in effective social behaviors across cultures were most striking. At post-test, autistic adolescents significantly improved their social skills knowledge. In addition, parent-reported and self-reported social engagement (hosted get-togethers) increased. Also, social skill impairment decreased according to parent-reports. Of the 32 adolescents who completed the program, 31% (n = 10) achieved a clinically significant change on the SRS-2 (ΔSRS-2 > 11.12). Future research examining the effectiveness of the Dutch version of PEERS® should include a larger randomized controlled trial, for which we provide several methodological considerations

Leptospirosis and its prevention: knowledge, attitude and practice of urban community in Selangor, Malaysia

Background: Leptospirosis is still endemic in Malaysia and has been prevalent in Selangor where cases have been underreported. Primarily, this was due to lack of awareness in the urban community in this region. This study determined the knowledge, attitude and preventive practice (KAP) of leptospirosis, and identified the significant predictors influencing KAP among urban community in Hulu Langat, Selangor. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2015 to 2017 using validated questionnaire. Sampling methods included multistage cluster sampling, followed by simple random sampling to obtain 315 respondents. Descriptive analysis was performed to determine the KAP while χ 2 and the subsequent logistic regression analysis were carried out to identify associations and predictors between variables. Results: Respondents were mainly Malaysian Bumiputra with a mean (Standard Deviation (SD)) age of 32.5 (13.0) years. Of 315 respondents, 80.3% (n = 253) had poor knowledge, 87.0% (n = 274) had good attitude, and 81.3% (n =256) showed unacceptable practice towards leptospirosis and its prevention. Regression analysis identified age as the sole predictor influencing good knowledge (AOR 2.388; 95% CI = 1.298, 4.396; p = 0.005). Education level (AOR 2. 197; 95% CI = 1.109, 4.352; p = 0.024) was also noted as the significant predictor influencing the overall practice. Conclusions: The urban community in Selangor showed a positive attitude in waste management despite having little knowledge regarding the disease itself. The study also discovered inadequacy in preventive practice, hence marking the importance of the proper integration of knowledge and attitude into forming an acceptable practice to reduce transmission of Leptospira among urban population in Malaysia