Exploring Middle-Class Malaysian Parents' Perceptions and Concerns About Children's Internet Usage

The growing number of children internet users are causing parents to worry. While there are many researches in the Global North, very few studies are done in the Global South. The study aims to bridge this gap with a study of Malaysia, a Global South country. Using a contextual approach, this research investigates middle-class Malaysian parents’ perceptions and concerns about their children’s internet usage. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with seven parents, whose children – aged from five to eighteen – are active internet users. The analysis of the interviews revealed three major themes; firstly, parents make evaluative judgments about internet contents and platforms; secondly, children’s age determines use and device ownership; and thirdly, Malaysian parents used mediation strategies unique to Malaysia: they employ spies among their children and enlist help from older children. The analysis further revealed two generalized Malaysian parents’ fears about the internet: foreign culture influencing the dominant culture and apprehensions about new technologies

A REVIEW ON THE FIFTH PANDEMIC: CORONAVIRUS

Since the 1918 flu pandemic, the novel human coronavirus outbreak COVID-19 has been the fifth known pandemic. COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, China, and later spread across the world. It is an infectious disease caused by the coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) extreme acute respiratory syndrome virus. The patients exhibit flu-like symptoms, including dry cough, sore throat, high fever, and trouble in breathing. Despite too much affords, there is no appropriate treatment or medication which is a successful COVID-19 therapy. A variety of candidate drugs are being used for the treatment and reviewed. This involves clinically accessible medications that are being repurposed for the treatment of COVID-19, such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and lopinavir/ritonavir. This review describes the different aspects of corona such as history, origin and spread, its types, life cycle, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and precautions. This review makes us understand what type of virus is this and how we can take precautions to protect us from this life-threatening virus. There is an immediate need to prepare our young generation to fight against any such catastrophe in the future, if any, of science and technology. There is no reason to worry and to fight this epidemic, careful prevention and control are necessary. This article can help to create public awareness, knowledge, avoiding, handling, and treating COVID-19

A Framework to Study the Impact of Interventions on Social Isolation during Pandemics using Multi-Agent Simulation

The spread of Coronavirus, widely known as COVID-19, has posed detrimental effects worldwide, affecting almost every primary sector. Due to its asymptomatic behavior and non-early diagnosis, government and health organizations implemented interventions such as physical distancing, lockdown, and quarantine, to mitigate the spread of the virus. Studies have shown that a connection exists between social isolation and health risks experienced by individuals. Thus, this research proposes an agent-based model to address the impact of varying interventions in our society. For simulation purposes, the SEIR model is followed, and agents are categorized into two classes based on their pace of movement, low and high mobility agents. These are further classified into four different states: susceptible, infected, recovered, and dead depending upon their changing health status. Their corresponding probabilities are determined, and the algorithm proceeds accordingly. Simulations of different scenarios before and during the COVID-19 are performed using multi-agents. Resulting outcomes are evaluated and analyzed, where agents may follow one or more interventions at a time. Various parameters are used in this research to imitate real-time physical situations while formulating the simulation environment. Some of these include the hospitals count, hospital capacity, transmission rate, and recovery time for agents in different states. Our model defines certain metrics based on the number of contacts an agent has with the other agents and the distance between the agents and its neighbors. Considering these multiple parameters and metrics enable the model to simulate varying conditions. For validation purposes, the simulation environment is made similar to the real-world society. Our model may benefit in deciding the mitigating factors in times of a similar pandemic or epidemic situations in the long term. Policymakers, health professionals, or researchers may extend this model and simulate the dissemination of ailments identical to this one

A Framework to Study the Impact of Interventions on Social Isolation During Pandemics Using Multi-Agent Simulation

The spread of Coronavirus, widely known as COVID-19, has posed detrimental effects worldwide, affecting almost every primary sector. Due to its asymptomatic behavior and non-early diagnosis, government and health organizations implemented interventions such as physical distancing, lockdown, and quarantine, to mitigate the spread of the virus. Studies have shown that a connection exists between social isolation and health risks experienced by individuals. Thus, this research proposes an agent-based model to address the impact of varying interventions in our society. For simulation purposes, the SEIR model is followed, and agents are categorized into two classes based on their pace of movement, low and high mobility agents. These are further classified into four different states: susceptible, infected, recovered, and dead depending upon their changing health status. Their corresponding probabilities are determined, and the algorithm proceeds accordingly. Simulations of different scenarios before and during the COVID-19 are performed using multi-agents. Resulting outcomes are evaluated and analyzed, where agents may follow one or more interventions at a time. Various parameters are used in this research to imitate real-time physical situations while formulating the simulation environment. Some of these include the hospitals count, hospital capacity, transmission rate, and recovery time for agents in different states. Our model defines certain metrics based on the number of contacts an agent has with the other agents and the distance between the agents and its neighbors. Considering these multiple parameters and metrics enable the model to simulate varying conditions. For validation purposes, the simulation environment is made similar to the real-world society. Our model may benefit in deciding the mitigating factors in times of a similar pandemic or epidemic situations in the long term. Policymakers, health professionals, or researchers may extend this model and simulate the dissemination of ailments identical to this one

UN PROCESO PARA LA IDENTIFICACION SISTEMATICA DE VARIACIONES GENOMICAS: APLICACIONES A LA MEDICINA DE PRECISION

El continuo descubrimiento de nueva información genómica genera un enorme volumen de datos relacionados con mutaciones genéticas que pueden ser relevantes para el diagnóstico clínico genómico de la enfermedad analizada. La identificación precisa y correcta de qué variaciones son las significativas a efectos de dicho diagnóstico es un problema de primera magnitud en el ámbito de la moderna Medicina de Precisión Este proyecto enfrenta y propone una solución a ese problema: como determinar qué variaciones son las correctas, teniendo que seleccionarlas entre un conjunto extenso y diverso de fuentes de datos genómicos, con información muchas veces inconsistente, incompleta, presentados en formatos diversos, heterogénea y en definitiva, de complejo tratamiento tanto por el volumen de datos implicado como por la comentada heterogeneidad en la procedencia de los datos que hay que gestionar. Dicha heterogeneidad en los repositorios y la variedad de datos existentes generan conflictos durante la interpretación. El trabajo desarrollado en el proyecto unifica y sistematiza el proceso de identificación para asegurar la fiabilidad y precisión por su futura aplicación en la medicina clínica. Para conseguirlo se utiliza la metodología SILE para la búsqueda, identificación, carga e explotación de los datos genómicos. El trabajo desarrollado ha explorado en profundidad la fase de identificación, mejorándolo de forma continua y analizando su viabilidad con dos casos prácticos que han demostrado la viabilidad del proceso de identificación. Se ha comprobado también que se cumplen con los criterios de calidad que la metodología SILE propone. El trabajo de Tesis fin de máster se ha aplicado a nivel práctico a la búsqueda e identificación de los SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polimorphism), que se refieren a Polimorfismos de Nucleótidos que están asociados a la enfermedad de Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 y Trombosis Venosa Profunda. El proceso sistemático de identificación de variaciones genómicas es un paso adelante concreto y relevante en el ámbito del desarrollo del cuerpo de conocimiento asociado al diseño y gestión de Sistemas de Información Genómicos, líneas de I+D muy activa en el Centro de I+D en Métodos de Producción de Software de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, y conecta de forma precisa Ingeniería de Sistemas de Información, Ciencias de Datos Genómicos y aplicaciones a la Medicina de Precisión.The continuous discovery of new genomic information generates a huge volume of data related to genetic mutations that may be relevant to the clinical genomic diagnosis of diseases. The precise and correct identification of significant variations for the diagnosis of indicated purpose is a problem of first magnitude in the field of modern Precision Medicine This project confronts and proposes a solution to this problem: how to determine which variations are the right ones, selecting them among an extensive and diverse set of genomic data sources, with information that is often inconsistent, incomplete, presented in diverse formats, heterogeneous and definitive, complex treatment both for the volume of data involved and for the aforementioned heterogeneity in the origin of the data that must be managed. This heterogeneity in the repositories and the variety of existing data generates conflicts during the interpretation. The work developed in the project unifies and systematizes the identification process to ensure reliability and accuracy for its future application in clinical medicine. To achieve this, the SILE methodology is used to search, identify, load and exploit genomic data. The work developed has explored in depth the identification phase, improving it continuously and analyzing its viability with two practical cases that have demonstrated the viability of the identification process. It has also been verified that the quality criteria that the SILE methodology proposes are met. This Master's Thesis work has been applied at a practical level to search and identify SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism), which refer to Nucleotide Polymorphisms that are associated with the disease of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Deep Vein Thrombosis. The systematic process of identifying relevant genomic variations is a concrete and relevant step forward in the development of the body of knowledge associated with the design and management of Genomic Information Systems, very active R & D field in the R & D Center in Software Production Methods of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and precisely connects Information Systems Engineering, Genomic Data Sciences and applications to Precision Medicine.Kaur, S. (2018). UN PROCESO PARA LA IDENTIFICACION SISTEMATICA DE VARIACIONES GENOMICAS: APLICACIONES A LA MEDICINA DE PRECISION. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/115360TFG

Is genetic diagnosis a bliss or a bane in indian society? An impact on nuclear family: a case report of foetal skeletal dysplasia

Genetic counseling has been becoming an integral part of reproductive medicine practice. In area of feto-maternal medicine findings of ultrasonography are very important. Genetic counselor tries to link dots between USG findings and their genetic base. If abnormality is found, after the legal termination of pregnancy, for clinicians and patients, main concern is about its recurrence in future pregnancies. But the question arises about the acceptability of genetic risk calculations by concerned patient and her family. As in society like ours, the genetically literate population is quite low and generally not well prepared to accept and understand the risks related to genetic abnormalities. This thing makes work of genetic counselors much difficult when the genetic aberration is found in the concerned couple. This raises a question about the social acceptance of genetically different individuals who are phenotypically normal but if they open up about their abnormal genetic status there will be a risk of decrease in their social acceptability. Hereby we present a case report which forced us to pause and think about the level of depth at which we as a society reached so far to accept genetic analysis as one of the diagnostic tool in routine clinical practice.

Weepies Going Dirty and Machos Doing Masti: Unveiling the Female Chauvinist Pigs in Indian Cinema

This paper aims to examine Raunch culture, a strand of post-feminism in the recent Bollywood movies, The Dirty Picture and Grand Masti. Both these movies critique the perception that the investment in raunch feminine sexuality empowers female characters, but if observed profoundly, they celebrate the commodification of women’s body. Frequently revolving around sex and consumption, it celebrates female agency through its discernment that women in such movies are provided the capacity to “have it all” (Genz, 98). Drawing upon Levy’s notion of “Female Chauvinistic Pigs” and McRobbie’s notion of “double entanglement”, the focus is that this apparent empowerment is hollow for celluloid females; their actions incite cultural anxieties about the ways women are to be represented and simply reinforce the patriarchal norms that envisage women as objects

Production and Assessment of Probiotic Fruit Juice from Punjab Pink Variety of Guava

125-130Probiotics are considered as live microbial formulations exhibiting health benefits related to their ability to alter the gut microbiota and thereby preventing diseases. The present study was conducted to produce probiotic guava juice in a pilot plant (batch type, 50L capacity) through the application of Lactobacillus acidophilus (MTCC no. 10307). The probiotic cells of Lactobacillus acidophilus were added aseptically into the guava juice at 15% (v/v) to reach a concentration of 108–109 CFU/ml and bottling was done using pneumatic bottling unit. The physiochemical (pH, TSS, total sugars [reducing and non-reducing], titratable acidity, antioxidant activity, content of lactic acid and ascorbic acid), microbiological and sensory parameters were analyzed. Among the physiochemical parameters a significant decrease was observed in pH 5.62 to 3.99, TSS from 15.11°brix to 13.45°brix, total sugars from 6.78% to 3.23%, reducing sugar content from 3.46% to 1.62%, non-reducing sugars from 3.32% to 1.60%, content of ascorbic acid from 167.25 mg/100ml to 160.01 mg/100 ml and antioxidant activity from 43.82% to 33.95% except for titratable acidity and lactic acid content which increased significantly during 8 weeks storage under refrigeration. Lactobacillus viability was found to remain well above 8 log CFU/ml for four weeks. Total plate count remained within acceptable limits during the first 5 weeks and yeast and mould count was within satisfactory limits throughout the storage period of 8 weeks. Presence of coliforms was not detected during the storage of 8 weeks. Overall acceptability of probiotic guava juice was 8.56

Examining characteristics of high potential employees from employees’ perspective

The objective of the study was to determine the major characteristics of high potential (HIPO) employees. Three hundred and twenty nine employees participated in the study. HIPO was mainly described by three major characteristics – high performance, learning agility and leadership spirit. The data were collected using survey forms and the items were adopted from various studies that discussed HIPO traits and characteristics. The multiple linear regressions showed that the first characteristic – high performance – was significantly predicted by learning agility, leadership spirit and low turnover intention. The second HIPO characteristic – learning agility – was significantly predicted by leadership spirit, high performance, organizational engagement and job engagement. The third HIPO characteristic – leadership spirit – was significantly predicted by high performance, learning agility, increased job scope, organizational engagement, number of years in the organization, education level and higher turnover intention

HR practices, organizational commitment and turnover intention: a study on employees in Klang Valley, Malaysia

The study is to examine the impact of HR practices on organizational commitment and turnover intention. Four hundred and fifty seven employees from various industries in a region in one of the states in Malaysia participated in the survey. HR practices were measured using employees’ perception on career management, person-job fit, compensation and performance appraisal. All the four HR practices were found significantly related to organizational commitment and negatively related to turnover intention. Another important finding is organizational commitment was found as a partial mediator between HR practices and turnover intention. Given the findings, HR policies should be well designed because they were found to give strong effect in explaining the variance in organizational commitment