Process for the determination of thickness of polymeric microchannels for microfluidic applications

We have developed a technique of fabricating device channels for microfludics system by using high performance epoxy polymeric based dry film resists (DFRs). We will use the fabrication method originated in silicon microelectronics fabrication industry. This is because the interest in this industry has made the current microfluidic devices fabricated not only from silicon substrate but also to a range of polymers and glasses. Our observations are made on the effect of the thickness before and after curing and bonding mechanism of DFR on glass substrate. Therefore the thickness of the channels is recorded. The outcomes of the bonding procedure are captured. These channels are patterned and sandwiched in between two glass substrates. They can be used for handling continuous fluid flow and particle. In our advance, the channel was formed for dielectrophoretic (DEP) colloidal particle separation systems

Intelligent massage chair based on blood pressure and heart rate

Massage is one of the effective techniques used to relieve pain, reduce stress, and increase relaxation. Nowadays, massage methods have varied to an easier way by electronic massage chair massage which is able to control the massage mode according to specifications. Commercial massage chair can only be used on normal healthy people with no health complication, such as diabetes, heart problem or blood pressure problem. The purpose of this study is to develop a system of more advanced massage chair where it can have an impact on user health based on blood pressure and heart rate. The proposed massage chair equipped with blood pressure and heart rate sensors, where the therapy will automatically configured according to individual's blood pressure and heart rate readings. The proposed control system developed using the artificial intelligent of fuzzy logic for data classification. The complete model of this massage control system is then developed using SIMULINK software to simulate the whole system operation and verify the function as programmed. Upon the success of the investigation, the findings will be useful for rapid advances in the existing technology

A comprehensive study on RF MEMS switch

This paper emphasis on state-of-the-art of the earlier until the current trend and demand, principles, design considerations, key performance and fabrication technology of RF MEMS switch devices developed over the past few years. RF MEMS switch performance and features such as actuation voltage, insertion loss, isolation and ease with cost of fabrication and applications are compared and discussed

Design and simulation of low voltage RF MEMS series switch array

In radio frequency (RF) applications, micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) offers better isolation, low loss, and low power consumption over the electronic switches. The satellite system and telecommunication system require high performance of switching array. In this project, a switching array size of 2×2 is modeled using 6 units of identical MEMS series switch. The switch array is able to perform connection through 2 input ports and 2 output ports. The simulation is performed using CoventorWare, and the electromagnetic characteristics are simulated using EM3DS. A single series switch has pulled in voltage of 4.5V, isolation of -25.3 dB, and insertion loss of -0.038 dB at 12 GHz. For the overall performances of 2×2 arrays, the simulation shows insertion loss less than -0.1 dB, and isolation better than -40 dB at 12GHz

Predictors of psychological well-being among Malaysian graduates

Investigations in the field of psychology have traditionally paid attention to studying mental health problems and their prevention (Kaplan, Shema, & Leite, 2008; Kokko, Korkalainen, Lyyra, & Feldt, 2012). However, a lack of psychological problems is not necessarily an indicator of the psychological well-being of individuals. Therefore, this study is an attempt to investigate the extent to which the components of cognitive emotion regulation, social support, and physical activity influence the psychological well-being of graduate students in a Malaysian university (University Putra Malaysia). A total of 534 graduate students were selected from this university and the sample size was determined by proportional sampling. Data was analyzed using the Structural Equation Model. The findings of the study revealed that the psychological well-being of Malaysian graduate students was significantly influenced by planning, catastrophyzing, significant others' support, reappraisal, other-blame, self-blame, friend support, putting into perspective, acceptance, and walking. Among these, it appeared that planning was the main strategy that influenced the psychological well-being of the Malaysian graduate students in this study

Microfluidic systems for dielectrophoretic separation of fluorescent particles

This paper presents a suitable and unique system for observing dielectrophoretic particle separation in a microfluidic device. Details presented on the experimental setup used will enable real time examination, monitoring and analysis of carboxylate-modified latex sphere particles in a colloidal mixture. Observations of the particles were made possible through an optical setup that illuminates the particles that went through the microelectrode array in the microchannel that was controlled by two analog signal generators. Through the setup, it was easily observed that the latex sphere particles move at a flow rate of 0.2 μl/s without colliding or overlapping on each other and successfully separated in two bands left and right. The new separation of one finest particles size for finest purification with respect to frequency was also observed, obtained and analysed

Health-related quality of life among Hepatitis C patients in Pahang state, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Background: Measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among hepatitis C patients is crucial in assisting health care providers to understand the complex psychosocial impact of disease on patients, thus facilitating a more patient-centred care. This study aims to measure the HRQOL among hepatitis C patients attending a tertiary hospital in Pahang, Malaysia. Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted among 195 hepatitis C patients attending Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA), the main public tertiary hospital in Pahang. HRQOL was assessed using the 36-item short-form survey (SF-36v2). Results: Respondents had lower scores in physical and mental health components of HRQOL than normal population. Those who completed treatment had higher scores in both physical and mental health component, compared to those who was not treated or on treatment. There was no significant association between HRQOL and gender, age, marital status, employment status and education level. Conclusion: Our findings showed that patients with hepatitis C, in general, have poor HRQOL in both physical and mental health components. Disease management should take into account patients’ quality of life as part of the inter-disciplinary approach. Acknowledgement: The authors would like to thank all staff of gastroenterology and internal medicine department Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan. The study was approved by the National Medical Research Register (NMRR), Malaysia Research Ethics Committee (MREC) and the Clinical Research Centre (CRC) of HTAA (Ethics No: NMRR-18-3536-42688

Health-related quality of life among hepatitis c patients in Pahang State, Malaysia: a cross-sectional study

Measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among hepatitis C patients is crucial in assisting health care providers to understand the complex psychosocial impact of disease on patients, thus facilitating a more patient-centred care. There is still scarcity of data on this matter, not adequately explored and nor has it been empirically studied in Malaysia. Thus, this study aims to measure the HRQOL among hepatitis C patients attending a tertiary hospital in Pahang, Malaysia. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 195 hepatitis C patients attending Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA), the main public tertiary hospital in Pahang. HRQOL was assessed using the 36-item short-form survey (SF-36v2). Respondents had lower scores in physical (mean score = 48.88 ± 8.9) and mental (mean score = 47.70 ± 9.1) health components of HRQOL than normal population (mean score > 50). Those who completed treatment had higher scores in both physical and mental health component, compared to those who was not treated or on treatment. There was no significant association between HRQOL and gender, age, marital status, employment status and education level. Our findings showed that patients with hepatitis C, in general, have poor HRQOL in both physical and mental health components. Thus, this study highlights a pressing need for holistic disease management by taking into account patients’ quality of life as part of the inter-disciplinary approach

Prediction model of speech intelligibility in room with dome

Several functions affect speech intelligibility in a room. Among the more significant functions are the signal–to-noise-ratio (SNR), early decay time (EDT) and direct-to-reverberant ratio (D/R). These three acoustics objective measures are the primary influences on speech intelligibility, which are the main issues presented in this chapter. However, the amount of reflections in the room from an impulse sound signal may supersede the effects of SNR toward speech intelligibility. In addition, the acoustics characteristics of the room also influence the resulting sound level and thus the speech intelligibility. An in depth analysis on SNR, EDT and D/R has opened-up possibility of predicting speech intelligibility index by means of room’s physical quantities, and thus enabling sound system engineers and architects to have good indicators of how room will perform in terms of speech intelligibility, as early as the initial room design process