A Malay version of perceived stress screening scale (PSS-10): psychometric evaluation among manufacturing industry workers

The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is one of the most widely used scales for measuring psychological stress. It has been translated into more than 25 languages and validated among different populations. This study evaluated psychometric properties of Malay version PSS-10 in measuring perceived stress among manufacturing industry workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in random sample of 42 workers from a pipeline manufacturing company. The Malay version PSS-10 was translated and back translated from original PSS-10. Psychometric properties of PSS-10 were evaluated by principal component analysis (construct validity), Cronbach`s alpha coefficients (internal consistency) and correlation coefficients with the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) (concurrent validity). There were no significant differences of PSS-10 scores (M=17.4) across socio-economic characteristics (p> .05). Principal component analysis with varimax rotation showed a 2-factors structure that accounted for 48.59% of the variance (Factor loadings: 0.56 - 0.76). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value (0.66) and significant Bartlett`s Test of Sphericity suggested that the items were appropriate and adequate for factor analysis. Acceptable internal consistency was observed (α=0.77). Concurrent validity of PSS-10 was reflected as the moderate correlations with DASS-21 stress subscale [r(40)=0.58, p< .05]. Severely stressed respondents as classified according to DASS-21 scores had significantly higher PSS-10 scores compared to normal respondents. [F(3,38)=4.21, p< .05]. This is the first study in Malaysia to evaluate the psychometric properties of PSS-10 among manufacturing industry workers. The findings supported that Malay version PSS-10 is a valid and reliable scale to measure perceived stress level of the population

Soft, wireless periocular wearable electronics for real-time detection of eye vergence in a virtual reality toward mobile eye therapies

Ocular disorders are currently affecting the developed world, causing loss of productivity in adults and children. While the cause of such disorders is not clear, neurological issues are often considered as the biggest possibility. Treatment of strabismus and vergence requires an invasive surgery or clinic-based vision therapy that has been used for decades due to the lack of alternatives such as portable therapeutic tools. Recent advancement in electronic packaging and image processing techniques have opened the possibility for optics-based portable eye tracking approaches, but several technical and safety hurdles limit the implementation of the technology in wearable applications. Here, we introduce a fully wearable, wireless soft electronic system that offers a portable, highly sensitive tracking of eye movements (vergence) via the combination of skin-conformal sensors and a virtual reality system. Advancement of material processing and printing technologies based on aerosol jet printing enables reliable manufacturing of skin-like sensors, while a flexible electronic circuit is prepared by the integration of chip components onto a soft elastomeric membrane. Analytical and computational study of a data classification algorithm provides a highly accurate tool for real-time detection and classification of ocular motions. In vivo demonstration with 14 human subjects captures the potential of the wearable electronics as a portable therapy system, which can be easily synchronized with a virtual reality headset

Branch retinal vein occlusion associated with quetiapine fumarate

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To report a case of branch retinal vein occlusion in a young adult with bipolar mood disorder treated with quetiapine fumarate.</p> <p>Case Presentation</p> <p>A 29 years old gentleman who was taking quetiapine fumarate for 3 years for bipolar mood disorder, presented with sudden vision loss. He was found to have a superior temporal branch retinal vein occlusion associated with hypercholesterolemia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Atypical antipsychotic drugs have metabolic side effects which require regular monitoring and prompt treatment.</p

Practical guide in using insulin degludec/insulin aspart: A multidisciplinary approach in Malaysia

Insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) co-formulation provides both basal and mealtime glycaemic control in a single injection. The glucose level-lowering efficacy of IDegAsp is reported to be superior or non-inferior to that of the currently available insulin therapies with a lower rate of overall hypoglycaemia and nocturnal hypoglycaemia. An expert panel from Malaysia aims to provide insights into the utilisation of IDegAsp across a broad range of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (i.e. treatment-naïve or insulin-naïve patients or patients receiving treatment intensification from basal-only regimens, premixed insulin and basal–bolus insulin therapy). IDegAsp can be initiated as once-daily dosing for the main meal with the largest carbohydrate content with weekly dose adjustments based on patient response. A lower starting dose is recommended for patients with cardiac or renal comorbidities. Dose intensification with IDegAsp may warrant splitting into twice-daily dosing. IDegAsp twice-daily dosing does not need to be split at a 50:50 ratio but should be adjusted to match the carbohydrate content of meals. The treatment of patients choosing to fast during Ramadan should be switched to IDegAsp early before Ramadan, as a longer duration of titration leads to better glycated haemoglobin level reductions. The pre-Ramadan breakfast/lunch insulin dose can be reduced by 30%–50% and taken during sahur, while the pre-Ramadan dinner dose can be taken without any change during iftar. Education on the main meal concept is important, as carbohydrates are present in almost all meals. Patients should not have a misconception of consuming more carbohydrates while taking IDegAsp

Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccination Intention among University Students : A Cross-Sectional Study in Malaysia

Vaccination is crucial in controlling the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that triggered the pandemic, but herd immunity can only work with high vaccination coverage in the population. This study aims to measure the COVID-19 knowledge level and determine the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination intention among university students in Malaysia. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out with 1,274 Malaysian university students in July 2021. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to examine the relationships between the study variables. Results showed that the majority of university students had an acceptable level of knowledge of COVID-19. The knowledge, risk perception of COVID-19, social norms, and perceived benefit of COVID-19 vaccination were positively associated with vaccination intention. However, perceived trust in information sources of COVID-19 vaccination and the government's response to COVID-19 did not affect the university students’ desire to receive the vaccination. These findings are essential for health policymakers and healthcare providers to implement evidence-based interventions to increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake among university students

Development of auditing in Malaysia: Legal, political and historical influences

This work investigates the role and contribution of external auditing as practised in the Malaysian society during the forty year period from independence in 1957 to just before the onset of the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997.It applies the political economic theory introduced by Tinker (1980) and refined by Cooper & Sherer (1984), which focuses on the social relations aspects of professional activity rather than economic forces alone.In a case study format where qualitative data was gathered mainly from primary and secondary source materials, the study found that the function of auditing in the Malaysian society in most cases is devoid of any essence of mission; instead it is created, shaped and transformed by the pressures which give rise to its development over time.The largely insignificant role that it serves is intertwined within the contexts in which it operates

Development of a new process for palm oil refining based on supercritical fluid extraction technology

This work described the development of a new flowsheet model for palm oil refining using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) technology. The first step was the synthesis of a new flowsheet structure to recover high purity palm oil which includes its minor components. Next, a thermodynamic model was developed to predict the phase equilibrium behavior of the crude palm oil (CPO)-supercritical CO2 mixture. The process structure to recover high nutritional value oil using supercritical fluid was finally simulated by means of the commercial process simulation package Aspen PLUS® release 10.2.1 based on the Redlich-Kwong-Aspen (RKA) thermodynamic model. The results obtained were in good agreement with the pilot plant data reported in the literature. It is envisioned that the development of the new, intensified and simpler palm oil refining process that is based on SFE technology can overcome the limitations of the existing technology for palm oil refining apart from making the refining process drastically simpler

Simulation modelling of the phase behaviour of palm oil with supercritical carbon dioxide

The phase behaviour of crude palm oil (CPO) with supercritical CO2 was successfully modelled using the Redlich-Kwong-Aspen (RKA) thermodynamic model implemented in Aspen Plus® 10.2.1 commercial simmulator. The procedure for modelling involves the estimation of pure component vapour pressure and critical properties, and the regression of phase equilibrium behaviour. The interaction parameters for the RKA model were obtained from the regression of experimental phase equilibrium data for palm oil component-supercritical CO2 binary system available in the literature. Using the temperature-dependent interaction parameters for each binary system, the RKA equation-of -state gives good correlations of the appropriate phase behaviour over wide ranges of conditions. The predicted palm oil component's distribution coefficients and solubilities showed good agreement with the experimental data reported in the literature. The simulated model provides an efficient and cost-effective alternative for the prelimanary design and optimization of the SFE process for complex CPO-supercritical CO2 system