Liquidity, credit risks & banks' size on profitability: pre-analysis of Malaysian commercial bank / Norliana Zaini and Rosshamira Arna Ismail

These researches focus on the relationship between profitability with liquidity, credit risk and bank size of six local commercial banks in Malaysia consist of RHB Bank, Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank), Alliance Bank Berhad, Public Bank, Affin Bank and Hong Leong Bank. The purpose of the research is to know the determinant of commercial bank’s profitability, whether liquidity, risk or size were influence in profitability or not. In addition, by doing this research the researchers will know whether there are any significant relationships between variables. This relationship can be test by descriptive analysis result from E-views application. These research been conducted by using secondary data from annual report consist of financial statement and financial ratio of these commercial banks from year 2004 until 2013. The researchers finding show that liquidity and bank size with profitability have positive relationship which is the increasing in liquidity and bank size will make profitability also increasing. On the other hand, the credit risk shows negative relationships with profitability prove that the decreasing in credit risk will make increasing in profitability

[The Relationship Between Students’ Understanding of IR 4.0 with The Use of ICT in Learning] Hubungan antara Kefahaman Pelajar Tentang IR 4.0 Dengan Penggunaan ICT Dalam Pembelajaran

The availability of communication and information technology (ICT) facilities have played an important role in making the learning and programming process (PdPc) successful in the 21st century. ICT has become a great medium for facilitating information sharing and discovery, especially in the education world. However, our country concerns about teachers' readiness to accept reforms in education. In addition, the level of ICT in teachers is still low and poor internet access is hindering the use of ICT among teachers, especially teachers who teach in rural schools. Therefore, this study aims to look at the relationship of ICT usage among students in the state of Terengganu with the advent of the industrial revolution 4.0. This study is a quantitative study by descriptive review and inference. The questionnaire was used as a research instrument to collect data and a total of 102 regular daily SMK students in Terengganu were selected as the study sample. The data of this study were analysed by descriptive and inferential analysis involving percentage, frequency, mean score, “Independent Samples T-Test” and correlation. The findings of this study indicate that there is no significant difference in the level of understanding of IR 4.0 based on gender and school location factors. The study also found that there was no significant difference in the use of ICT as a medium of learning based on school location. However, there is a significant correlation between the understandings of IR 4.0 on the use of ICT in learning. Therefore, it can be concluded that students in Terengganu state ICT as a means of gaining and sharing knowledge as well as the medium of learning today. The results of this study are expected to provide important information to the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM) in enhancing ICT integration in the PdPc process in schools.   Kewujudan kemudahan teknologi komunikasi dan maklumat (ICT) berperanan penting dalam menjayakan proses pembelajaran dan pemudahcaraan (PdPc) pada abad ke-21. ICT telah menjadi medium perantara yang baik dalam memaksiumkan perkongsian dan pencarian informasi khususnya dalam dunia pendidikan. Namun, Negara kita menghadapi masalah mengenai kesediaan guru untuk menerima pembaharuan dalam pendidikan. Selain itu juga, tahap pengusaan ICT dalam kalangan guru-guru masih rendah dan capaian internet yang lemah menjadi kekangan penggunaan ICT dalam kalangan guru, terutamanya guru yang mengajar di sekolah luar Bandar. Justeru, kajian ini bertujuan untuk melihat hubungan penggunaan ICT dalam kalangan pelajar di negeri Terengganu seiring dengan kemunculan revolusi industri 4.0. Kajian ini merupakan kajian kuantitatif secara tinjauan deskriptif dan inferensi. Soal selidik digunakan sebagai instrumen kajian untuk mengumpulkan data dan seramai 102 orang pelajar SMK harian biasa di Terengganu dipilih sebagai sampel kajian. Data kajian ini dianalisis secara analisis deskriptif dan analisis inferensi yang melibatkan peratusan, kekerapan, skor min, “Independent Samples T-Test” dan korelasi. Dapatan kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan tahap kefahaman IR 4.0 berdasarkan faktor jantina dan lokasi sekolah. Kajian juga mendapati tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan penggunaan ICT sebagai medium pembelajaran berdasarkan lokasi sekolah. Walau bagaimanapun, terdapat perkaitan yang signifikan antara kefahaman tentang IR 4.0 terhadap penggunaan ICT dalam pembelajaran. Justeru, dapat disimpulkan bahawa pelajar-pelajar di negeri Terengganu menjadikan ICT sebagai wadah menimba dan berkongsi ilmu pengetahuan serta menjadi medium pembelajaran masa kini. Hasil kajian ini diharapkan dapat memberi maklumat penting kepada Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) dalam usaha meningkatkan pengintergrasian ICT dalam proses PdPc di sekolah-sekolah

Gain More Insight from Common Latent Factor in Structural Equation Modeling

There is a great deal of evidence that method bias is really sure influences item validities, measurement error, correlation and covariance between latent constructs and thus leading the researchers to erroneous conclusion due to inflation or deflation during hypothesis testing. To remedy this, the study provides a guideline to minimize the method bias in the context of structural equation modeling employing the covariance method (CB-SEM) using medical tourism model. A practical approach is illustrated for the identification of method bias based on the new construct namely common latent factor. Using this latent construct, we managed to identify which item has potential to permeate more variance from common latent factor. Nevertheless, we figure out that the method bias is do not exist in our developed model. Therefore, this measurement model is appropriate for structural model in order to achieve the research hypotheses. We hope that this discussion will help the researchers anticipate which items are likely exposed on method bias before proceed to advance modeling

The elusive primary: metastatic adenocarcinoma of the breast presenting solely as a hard sternal mass

Background: Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is a diverse category of malignancies diagnosed in patients who have metastatic disease but without an identifiable primary tumor at initial presentation. Case Report: We report a case of CUP which was later diagnosed to be metastatic adenocarcinoma of the breast in a 62-yearold woman. The patient initially presented to a primary care clinic with an incidental finding of a small hard mass in the middle of the sternum, with no other clinical findings in the breast or axillary lymph nodes. Chest X-ray, ultrasound, and CT scan of the sternum suggested a benign sternal lesion, and a mammogram was normal. Due to the persistence of the mass, a biopsy was performed. The histopathological findings revealed a metastatic adenocarcinoma, most likely from breast origin, with positive estrogen receptor (ER) and mammaglobin on immunohistochemistry studies. The patient subsequently underwent PET scan, repeat mammogram, and MRI of the breast. Following high uptake in the rectum on PET, a colonoscopy was performed, revealing a suspicious rectal mass. The mass was surgically excised, and the final histopathological examination concluded the mass was a second primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum. Genetic analyses for BRCA1 and BRCA2 were negative. Conclusions: This is a rare case of an isolated bone-like lesion on the sternum due to metastatic adenocarcinoma of the breast in a patient with no prior history of breast cancer and lacking any clinical or radiological evidence of breast or axillary lymph node lesions on presentation. The patient was also subsequently diagnosed with 2 primary carcinomas. Thorough clinical examination, extensive radiological investigations, laboratory investigations, histopathological examination, and a multidisciplinary approach are essential in managing CUP

Exposure to tobacco secondhand smoke and its associated factors among non-smoking adults in smoking-restricted and non-restricted areas: findings from a nationwide study in Malaysia

Objectives Secondhand smoke (SHS) has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the aims of the paper are to assess SHS exposure among non-smoking adults in Malaysia attending various smoking-restricted and non-restricted public areas according to the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations (CTPR) as well as its relationship with various sociodemographic variables. Design Data were extracted from a cross-sectional study, the Global Adults Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2011 which involved 3269 non-smokers in Malaysia. Data was obtained through face-to-face interviews using a validated pre-tested questionnaire. Factors associated with exposure to SHS were identified via multivariable analysis. Results The study revealed that almost two-thirds of respondents were exposed to SHS in at least one public area in the past 1 month, with a significantly higher exposure among males (70.6%), those with higher educational attainment (81.4%) and higher income (quintile 1%–73.9%). Besides, the exposure to SHS was almost four times higher in non-restricted areas compared with restricted areas under the CTPR (81.9% vs 22.9). Multivariable analysis revealed that males and younger adults at non-restricted areas were more likely to be exposed to SHS while no significant associated factors of SHS exposure was observed in restricted areas. Conclusions The study revealed the prevalence of SHS exposure was higher among Malaysian adults. Although smoke-free laws offer protection to non-smokers from exposure to SHS, enforcement activities in restricted areas should be enhanced to ensure strict public abidance. In addition, legislation of restricted areas should also be extended to greatly reduce the SHS exposure among non-smokers in Malaysia

Prevalence and characteristics of e-cigarette users among Malaysian current and ex-smokers

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are new devices that have been accepted widely by both smokers and non-smokers. However, the evidence on EC used in Malaysia is scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of EC use and the socio-demographic and smoking characteristics associated with current EC use among Malaysian current and ex-smokers. Methods: This was a sub-analysis of data from a cross-sectional, national-population- based EC study conducted from May to June in 2016 in Malaysia. A detailed description of the sampling methods can be found in the National E-cigarette Survey (NECS) 2016 report. Briefly, data were obtained from 1396 individuals who had ever been smokers, i.e., 957 (68.6%) current smokers and 439 (31.4%) ex-smokers. Results: Current EC use was found predominantly among current smokers (8.0%) as compared with ex-smokers (4.3%). Among current smokers, the main reasons given for smoking ECs were wanting to try it (44.7%), followed by intention to quit tobacco smoking (15.8%) and to reduce tobacco smoking (10.5%). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we found that among current smokers, current EC users were more likely to be younger, i.e., 18-44 years (aOR= 4.83, 95% CI= 1.97-11.86, p=0.001), urban residents (aOR= 1.89, 95% CI= 1.15-3.11, p=0.012), single/ divorced/ widowed (aOR= 2.11, 95% CI= 1.24-3.61, p=0.006) and students (aOR= 2.25, 95% CI= 1.01-5.01, p=0.048). Among ex- smokers, only younger respondents (18-44 years old) was reported as being more likely to be current EC users (aOR= 3.81, 95% CI= 1.14-12.76, p=0.030). Conclusion: This study showed that currently using and ever having used ECs were more prevalent among current smokers. The reasons given for initiating EC use among current smokers were mainly wanting to try it, followed by intention to quit and to reduce tobacco smoking. Current EC use appears to be common among current smokers who are younger, urban residents, single/divorced/widowed and students. Therefore, EC cessation intervention strategies and policies should target these high-prevalence groups

Bioconversion of pineapple wastes for production of Pleurotus pulmonarius (gray oyster mushroom) and Pleurotus ostreatus (white oyster mushroom)

Mushroom cultivation is currently being widely ventured by farmers in Malaysia due to its high profits in a short time and low production cost. Mushrooms can be grown on various substrates such as rice husk and stalks, coconut fiber, and sawdust. This study was performed to find out the ability of using pineapple leaves waste as a substrate for the cultivation of Pleurotus pulmonarius (gray oyster mushroom) and Pleurotus ostreatus (white oyster mushroom) and compare the results obtained with mushrooms grown using traditional substrates (sawdust). The mushroom bags were prepared using a dry and wet medium of pineapple leaves waste. The results revealed that 60% of dry and wet pineapple leaves waste produced the highest output of P. pulmonarius and P. ostreatus in comparison to other percentages. The growing of P. pulmonarius on dry pineapple leaves waste substrate revealed the maximum average weight and number of fruiting bodies while P. ostreatus showed the best growth performance in wet pineapple leaves waste substrate. The nutritional content of 60% dry and wet pineapple leaves waste for both P. pulmonarius and P. ostreatus shown superior value in percentages of moisture, protein, fat, and carbohydrate compared to control. In the meantime, the mineral analysis revealed that 60% of the dry and wet pineapple leaves waste had greater levels of Cu, P, and Pb than the control. These findings suggested that the pineapple leaves waste can become a great alternative substrate for both P. pulmonarius and P. ostreatus cultivation for better economic and environmental benefits

Association of smoking and severity of Covid-19 infection among 5,889 patients in Malaysia: a multi-center observational study

Objective: This study aims to investigate the association between smoking and the severity of COVID-19 infection during the initial wave of this pandemic in Malaysia. Methods: This is a multi-center observational study using secondary hospital data collected retrospectively from February 1, 2020, until May 30, 2020. Clinical records of all real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 cases with smoking status, co-morbidities, clinical features, and disease management were retrieved. Severity was assessed by the presence of complications and outcomes of COVID-19 infection. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between COVID-19 disease severity and smoking status. Results: A total of 5,889 COVID-19 cases were included in the analysis. Ever smokers had a higher risk of having COVID-19 complications, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (odds ratio [OR] 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-2.55), renal injury (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.10-2.14), and acute liver injury (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.01-1.74), compared with never smokers. However, in terms of disease outcomes, there were no differences between the two groups. Conclusion: Although no significant association was found in terms of disease outcomes, smoking is associated with a higher risk of having complications owing to COVID-19 infection

Pattern and risk factors of functional limitation and physical disability among community-dwelling elderly in Kuala Pilah, Malaysia: A 12-month follow-up study / Norliana Ismail

Functional limitation and physical disability are among the common geriatric conditions that can result in poor health, dependency and institutionalisation. Age-related disability and restriction in the elderly function has become one of the priorities in public health. However, the data on incidence and risk factors associated with functional limitation and physical disability in Malaysia and other developing regions are sparse. Most studies utilized a cross-sectional design which restricts the causal interpretation and inhibits a clear understanding of the relationship between risk factors and occurrence of both conditions. The objectives of this study were; 1) to determine the pattern; in terms of prevalence, incidence and incidence of recovery of functional limitation and physical disability, 2) to identify its associated risk factors, 3) to describe the subtypes of physical disability among community dwelling elderly in Kuala Pilah, Malaysia. This was an observational population-based cohort study with a twelve months follow-up. The study was conducted in Kuala Pilah district, Negeri Sembilan and elderly aged 60 years and above were selected and invited to participate in this study. The data on participants‘ risk factors and physical function status were collected during comprehensive, home-based assessments, which were completed at baseline and twelve months of follow-up. Disability was assessed during three monthly telephone interviews. Beside their socio-demographic characteristics, other risk factors assessed included depressive symptomology, cognitive impairment, social support level, self-reported visual impairment, history of fall and anthropometry measures. Outcome measures were assessed at twelfth months using validated tools for physical disability (Katz Activity of Daily Living and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living) and functional limitation (4-metre walking speed test). The overall prevalence of functional limitation was 62.8%, Instrumental Activity of Daily Living disability was 32.7% and Activity of Daily Living disability was 7.1%. The incidence of functional limitation at iv twelve months of follow-up was 38.4%, IADL disability was 24.8% and ADL disability was 4.8%. The common risk factors for incidence of functional limitation and physical disability were elderly women, advancing age and low educational level. The incidence of recovery from functional limitation at twelve months of follow-up was 31.5%, IADL disability was 34.2% and ADL disability was 43.9%. The most common disability subtype was short term disability, followed by transient disability, long-term disability and recurrent disability. The prevalence and incidence of functional limitation and IADL disability were common among elderly in Kuala Pilah, Malaysia. The prevalence and incidence of ADL disability were lower compared to elderly populations in developed countries. The findings from this study had provided clearer understanding on the relationship between specific impairments and risk factors to the development of functional limitation and physical disability. Specific prevention and early therapeutic interventions can now be outlined in order to optimise function and reduce the disability among elderly

Kesan perbezaan kadar baja kimia NPK terhadap pertumbuhan vegetatif dan komponen hasil padi varieti TQR-8 ke atas tanah jenis siri Silabukan

Kajian ini telah dilakukan ke atas padi varieti Tuaran Quality Rice 8 (TQR-8) iaitu menggunakan kadar baja kimia yang berbeza dengan menggunakan tanah plot 17 SPL -UMS. Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk mengkaji beberapa kadar baja kimia NPK terhadap pertumbuhan vegetatif dan komponen hasil varieti TQR-8 dan kajian terhadap kesan pemberian kadar baja kimia NPK yang sesuai ke atas tanah jenis siri silabukan. Kajian ini telah dilakukan di dalam rumah kalis hujan yang tertetak di Sekolah Pertanian Lestari, Universiti Malaysia Sabah pada bulan Julai sehingga Oktober 2013. Penanaman padi telah dilakukan secara kaedah mengubah ke dalam pasu tanaman. Rawatan yang digunakan adalah baja Urea, Tri Super Phosphate dan Muriate of Piotash. Setiap rawatan menggunakan kadar kimia NPK yang berbeza laitu (60:30:30) kg ha�¹ sebagai kawalan, (70:40:40) kg ha�¹, (80:50:50) kg ha�¹, (90:60:60) kg ha�¹,(100:70:70) kg ha�¹, (110:80:80) kg ha�¹ dan (120:90:90) kg ha�¹. Kajian ini menggunakan Reka bentuk Rawak Lengkap (CRD) dan menggunakan analisis statistik ANAVA satu hala. Kajian yang telah dilakukan berdasarkan parameter iaitu vegetatif pertumbuhan (ketinggian pokok padi, ketinggian batang padi, jumlah anakan padi, peratus anakan padi produktif), manakala komponen hasil padi (bilangan tangkai padi, panjang tangkai padi, bilangan bijiran padi dalam satu tangkal, bilangan bijiran penuh, bllangan bijiran kosong, berat untuk 1000 butiran padi dan unjuran hasil padi untuk satu hektar) dan anallsis tanah. Melalui hasil kajian ini rawatan 7 iaitu baja kimia NPK berkadar (120:90:90) kg ha�¹ memberi kesan yang lebih baik terhadap pertumbuhan vegetatif bagi ketinggian pokok padi (107.2 cm) dan ketinggian batang padi (74.7 cm) manakala untuk komponen hasil padi, rawatan R7 memberi kesan yang baik terhadap panjang tangkal pokok padi (23.S cm), bilangan butiran padi (265 butiran padi), bilangan butiran padi penuh (234 butiran padi), bilangan butiran kosong (30 butiran padi), peratus bilangan butiran biji penuh (88.4 %) dan unjuran hasil padi (3.27 tan ha�¹ ). Rawatan 6 memben kesan yang baik terhadap bilangan anakan padi (11 anak padi) manakala jumlah tangkai (20 tangkai) rnanakala bagi peratus padi produktif, rawatan 4 menunjukkan peratusan yang terbaik laitu 9S8.1 %. Bagi komponen hasil padi untuk berat 1000 butir biji padi, rawatan 2 adalah rawatan terbaik iaitu 22.5 g. Nilai pH tanah meningkat bagi setiap rawatan selepas tuaian hasil padi iaitu antara julat 7.21-7.29. Daripada hasil kajian ini, para petani boleh menggunakan kadar baja kimia NPK (120:90:90) kg ha�¹ untuk penanaman padi bagi tanah yang sama seperti siri silabukan kerana ia rawatan terbaik untuk butiran padi penuh dan unjuran hasil padi. Selaln itu, petani juga boleh menggunakan baja kimia NPK berkadar (70:40:40) kg ha�¹ untuk tanaman padi kerana ia rawatan terbaik untuk berat 1000 9 butiran padi dan panjang tangkai padi