Gender Inequality In Malaysia Labour Force: Data Evidence

Women have overcome many challenges within the labour market, but gender inequality still exists in the form of total employment by categories and states. The higher gender disparity was found in Selangor with the ratio of the men and women employed at 599,200 and this is concentrated in the 30-34 years old. The past findings on the gender discrimination practice in the Malaysian labour market motivated this study to fill the literature gap by providing an up-close analysis on the differences observed within the different states in Malaysia, the difference that can be observed by age group, by the status of employment, by the different sectors of employment and the gender difference as observed in mean and median wages. As context for the finding, an overview of the government policy initiatives to close the gender gap is also provided. One of the proposed recommendations was the balanced responsibility between both genders in household care

Detection of brain tumour in 2d MRI: implementation and critical review of clustering-based image segmentation methods

Image segmentation can be defined as segregation or partitioning of images into multiple regions with the same predefined homogeneity criterion. Image segmentation is a crucial process in medical image analysis. This paper explores and investigates several unsupervised image segmentation approaches and their viability and performances in delineating tumour region in contrast enhanced T1-weighted brain MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans. First and foremost, raw CE T1-weighted brain MR images are downloaded from a free online database. The images are then pre-processed and undergo an important process called skull stripping. Then, image segmentation techniques such as k-means clustering, Gaussian mixture model segmentation and fuzzy c-means are applied to the pre-processed MR images. The image segmentation results are evaluated using several performance measures, such as precision, recall, Tanimoto coefficient and Dice similarity index in reference to ground truth images. The highest average Dice coefficient is achieved by k-means (0.189) before post-processing and GMM (0.208) after post-processing. Unsupervised clustering-based brain tumour segmentation based on just image pixel intensity in single-spectral brain MRI without adaptive post-processing algorithm cannot achieve efficient and robust segmentation results

Factors driving intention to use e-wallet services in Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to determine the factors influencing technology users' intentions to adopt e-wallet services in Malaysia and utilized the Diffusion of Innovation Theory. A self-administered online questionnaire was used to gather data from 540 Malaysian respondents using a purposive sampling strategy. SPSS version 26 and SmartPLS 3.3.3 was used to analyse the data. Relative advantage and perceived security influence e-wallet adoption intention positively. While trialability and ubiquity have a positive effect on perceived security. It is also interesting to identify that Trialability has a medium effect on perceived security while relative advantage and perceived security have a small effect on usage intention. Ubiquity has a small effect on perceived security. Besides that, the Q-Predict values for usage intention were 0.493 and the PLS-predict demonstrated low predictive relevance. Research limitations/implications: The data was collected in June 2020. At that period of time, researchers did not expect that the adoption of e-wallet would have increase significantly due to the covid-19 pandemic. Practical implications: Organisations should pay attention particularly to trialability because this factor contributes the most towards the perceived security of e-wallet among Malaysian. As they are comfortable with e-wallet services and have confidence in its security, this will encourage adoption especially the late adopters. Besides that, e-wallet services providers should also stress the relative advantage of the usage of e-wallet, particularly in their marketing communication strategy. This research helps to understand what are the critical characteristics that are important for e-wallet adoption, particularly among the Malaysian, because previous research had identified that different countries would have different propensities to use the ewallet. Due to the differences, certain factors such as ease of use, relative advantage, visibility and perceived security need to be given consideration and attention in a country such as Malaysia. As a result, this study will revisit these factors whether these factors will contribute towards Malaysian intention to use e-wallet

Covid-19 And the Socioeconomic Impact on Self-employment in Sabah

The movement control order (MCO) and restrictions in economic activities issued in response to the COVID-19 outbreak has caused significant disruptions in employment. The impact of the pandemic has been greater for self-employed persons than for employed workers, as self-employed persons usually experience substantial obstacles in keeping their businesses alive. Studies on self-employment are thus very important for the nation since they are related to attempts to lessen the detrimental impact of covid-19 on self-employment. Entrepreneurs have overcome numerous challenges within the self–employment. This article investigates theCovid-19 impact on self-employment and small business income and sales. The paper also identify he salient beliefs that policymakers could target to reduce the problem faced by self-employed and small businesses. An online survey was conducted to see on how the self-employed are faring in the crisis covering their work patterns, earnings, concerns and expectations for the future. 185 respondents were collected. This paper suggest that policymakers can start thinking about self-employment policies for a post-COVID-19 economy now, because there is a need for more targeted measures to help disadvantaged self-employed persons stay in business

Effective strengthening of RC beams using bamboo-fibre-reinforced polymer: A finite-element analysis

This paper presents a finite-element model of the structural behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) beams with and without openings externally strengthened with bamboo-fibre-reinforced composite (BFRC) plates. The simulation was performed using ABAQUS Unified FEA 2021HF8 software. The stress–strain relationship of the RC was modelled using a model code for concrete structures, whereas the concrete-damaged plasticity model was used to simulate concrete damage. The predicted crack pattern of the beams was comparable to that from experimental observations. The ultimate load-bearing capacity of RC beams in flexure was predicted with an error of up to 1.50%, while the ultimate load-bearing capacity of RC beams with openings in shear was predicted with an error ranging from 1.89 to 13.43%. The most successful arrangement for strengthening a beam with openings in the shear zone was to place BFRC plates perpendicular to the crack on both sides of the beam’s surface, which increased the beam’s original load-bearing capacity by 110.06% compared to that of the control beam (CB). The most effective method for strengthening RC beams in flexure is to attach a BFRC plate to the entire bottom soffit of the RC beam. This maximises the ultimate load-bearing capacity at the expense of the beam’s ductility

Predictors of motivation for type 2 diabetes mellitus self management of patients in primary care in Singapore

Background: Diabetes is among the top 10 causes of death in Singapore, which has the second-highest proportion of diabetics among all developed nations. Diabetic patients’ self-management is often driven by their perceptions about their own chronic condition. This study explored specific aspects of patients’ (1) cognitive appraisal, (2) emotional distress and (3) a motivational measure in relation to their diabetic condition and attitude toward self-management. Methods: Seventy adult participants (41 female and 29 male) with type-2 diabetes were recruited in this cross-sectional study from patients who sought psychological consultation at polyclinics. The questionnaires administered were (1) Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, (2) Diabetes Distress Scale, (3) Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7, (4) Insomnia Severity Index, (5) Patient Health Questionnaire-9, (6) Readiness-to-Change Ruler and (7) Sheehan Disability Scale. Results: Multiple regression analysis showed that severity of insomnia symptoms (β = -.26 , p < .05), emotional distress of diabetes (β = -.48 , p < .05), interpersonal distress of diabetes (β = -.35 , p < .05), total distress of diabetes (β = .58 , p < .05), and perception of personal control over diabetes (β = .-.30, p < .05) were significantly associated with reported motivation for engaging in diabetes self-management (R2 = .26, F(5, 62) = 4.26, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Insomnia, emotional distress and perception of personal control over diabetes significantly predicted patients’ reported motivation for diabetes self-management. It may be more productive for clinicians to focus their interventions on these particular aspects of diabetic patients’ experience in promoting self-management behaviour. Future studies may involve (1) the measurement of actual self-management behaviour beyond participants’ report of their motivation to engage in such desirable behavior and (2) qualitative approaches for understanding subjective dimensions of “insomnia,” “distress” and “personal control” in relation to diabetes self-management

Immunological corollary of the pulmonary mycobiome in bronchiectasis:The Cameb study

Understanding the composition and clinical importance of the fungal mycobiome was recently identified as a key topic in a “research priorities” consensus statement for bronchiectasis. Patients were recruited as part of the CAMEB study: an international multicentre cross-sectional Cohort of Asian and Matched European Bronchiectasis patients. The mycobiome was determined in 238 patients by targeted amplicon shotgun sequencing of the 18S–28S rRNA internally transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2. Specific quantitative PCR for detection of and conidial quantification for a range of airway Aspergillus species was performed. Sputum galactomannan, Aspergillus specific IgE, IgG and TARC (thymus and activation regulated chemokine) levels were measured systemically and associated to clinical outcomes. The bronchiectasis mycobiome is distinct and characterised by specific fungal genera, including Aspergillus, Cryptococcus and Clavispora. Aspergillus fumigatus (in Singapore/Kuala Lumpur) and Aspergillus terreus (in Dundee) dominated profiles, the latter associating with exacerbations. High frequencies of Aspergillus-associated disease including sensitisation and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis were detected. Each revealed distinct mycobiome profiles, and associated with more severe disease, poorer pulmonary function and increased exacerbations. The pulmonary mycobiome is of clinical relevance in bronchiectasis. Screening for Aspergillus-associated disease should be considered even in apparently stable patients.MOE (Min. of Education, S’pore)NMRC (Natl Medical Research Council, S’pore)Published versio

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Measurements of Higgs boson production and couplings in diboson final states with the ATLAS detector at the LHC

Measurements are presented of production properties and couplings of the recently discovered Higgs boson using the decays into boson pairs, H →γ γ, H → Z Z∗ →4l and H →W W∗ →lνlν. The results are based on the complete pp collision data sample recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider at centre-of-mass energies of √s = 7 TeV and √s = 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 25 fb−1. Evidence for Higgs boson production through vector-boson fusion is reported. Results of combined fits probing Higgs boson couplings to fermions and bosons, as well as anomalous contributions to loop-induced production and decay modes, are presented. All measurements are consistent with expectations for the Standard Model Higgs boson

Standalone vertex finding in the ATLAS muon spectrometer

A dedicated reconstruction algorithm to find decay vertices in the ATLAS muon spectrometer is presented. The algorithm searches the region just upstream of or inside the muon spectrometer volume for multi-particle vertices that originate from the decay of particles with long decay paths. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated using both a sample of simulated Higgs boson events, in which the Higgs boson decays to long-lived neutral particles that in turn decay to bbar b final states, and pp collision data at √s = 7 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC during 2011