Mismatch between Anthropometics and Chair Dimension of Primary School Children (Level 1) In Northern Region, Malaysia

Several studies hav e been done on the issue of mismatch between the anthropometries dimension among school children and classroom furniture in different countries. All the studies shared the same results, showing that there is mismatch between the two variables (Mohd Azuan K. et al. 2010; Castellucci. Arezes &. Viviani 2009; NuruI Asyiqin el al. 2009; Lueder & Rice 2008; Gouvali & Boudolos 2006; Lipardo et al. 2006; Murphy, Buckle &. Stubbs 2003). The issue on mismatch in this paper does not only focus on chair dimension and anthropometric variables of the children, but it also investigates the possible negative implication of seating posture due to the mismatch (Castellucci, Arezes & Viviani 2009; Gouvali & Boudolos 2006; Parcells, Stommel & Hubbard 1999; Panagiotopoulou el al. 2004)

Peranan Ergonomik Dalam Rekabentuk Kerusi Sekolah: Kajian Kes Di Sekitar Perlis, Kedah Dan Pulau Pinang

Ergonomik memainkan peranan yang penting dalam rekabentuk kerusi sekolah. Postur duduk yang janggal akibat daripada rekabentuk kerusi yang tidak sesuai mampu menyumbang ke arah kesan yang negatif kepada kesihatan kanak-kanak. Isu ini dapat dilihat melalui penyelidikan yang mempersoalkan tentang kesesuaian ukuran kerusi yang terdapat di sekolah rendah yang digunakan oleh Murid Sekolah Rendah Tahap Satu (MSRTS). Seramai 108 orang responden telah terlibat dalam penyelidikan ini yang terdiri daripada MSRTS yang berumur 7, 8 dan 9 tahun dari 12 buah Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan di Perlis, Kedah dan Pulau Pinang. Penyelidikan ini menggabungkan kaedah kuantitatif dan kualitatif dalam mengenalpasti ketidak-sepadanan antropometri responden dengan ukuran kerusi yang digunakan di sekolah. Antropometer, goniometer, penimbang berat badan dan pita ukur digunakan bagi memperolehi data antropometri responden dan ukuran kerusi dari setiap sekolah. Data antropometri dan ukuran kerusi dianalisa menggunakan perisian SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science). Postur duduk responden ketika sesi pembelajaran di dalam kelas turut dirakam dan dianalisa bagi menyokong data SPSS yang diperolehi. Dapatan kajian mencatatkan data antropometri MSRTS tidak sepadan dengan ukuran kerusi yang digunakan di sekolah. Oleh itu, pertimbangan terhadap faktor ergonomik dalam rekabentuk kerusi sekolah adalah perlu bagi memastikan kesihatan dan keselesaan MSRTS di sekola

Hand Parameters And Walking Stick Design: A Case Study Among Elderly Malaysians

According to the World Bank, in 2015, the elderly population reaches 8.5% of the world's population. This number grows at 0.13% per annum. In Malaysia, the growth reaches 0.2% of this population annually. Assistive tools such as a walking stick to support the elderly people have become necessary. However, much uncertainty still exists about the relation between the walking stick design and the Malaysian elderly. The objectives of the study were to measure hand dimension and hand grip strength of Malaysian elderly and to relate the hand dimension with the walking sticks being used. There were 50 Malaysian elderly participated in this study and three designs of walking stick available in the market were tested. The first design (handle A) was round and padded, the second design (handle B) was rectangular curve and the third design (Handle C) was round curve. Statistical analysis between hand size and hand surface area shows a linear relationship with R2 = 54% and significant with p-value < 0.05. As for the relationship between the contact area of stick handle and hand size, a linear relationship was found with R2 = 53.3% for handle A, R2 = 46.5% for handle B, and R2 = 36.6% for handle C. This study concluded that the walking stick with high contact area provides better grip and comfort

In vitro anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of boesenbergin A, a chalcone isolated from Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) (fingerroot)

The current in vitro study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of boesenbergin A (BA), a chalcone derivative of known structure isolated from Boesenbergia rotunda. Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29), non-small cell lung cancer (A549), prostate adenocarcinoma (PC3), and normal hepatic cells (WRL-68) were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of BA using the MTT assay. The antioxidant activity of BA was assessed by the ORAC assay and compared to quercetin as a standard reference antioxidant. ORAC results are reported as the equivalent concentration of Trolox that produces the same level of antioxidant activity as the sample tested at 20 µg/mL. The toxic effect of BA on different cell types, reported as IC50, yielded 20.22 ± 3.15, 10.69 ± 2.64, 20.31 ± 1.34, 94.10 ± 1.19, and 9.324 ± 0.24 µg/mL for A549, PC3, HepG2, HT-29, and WRL-68, respectively. BA displayed considerable antioxidant activity, when the results of ORAC assay were reported as Trolox equivalents. BA (20 µg/mL) and quercetin (5 µg/mL) were equivalent to a Trolox concentration of 11.91 ± 0.23 and 160.32 ± 2.75 µM, respectively. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of BA was significant at 12.5 to 50 µg/mL and without any significant cytotoxicity for the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 at 50 µg/mL. The significant biological activities observed in this study indicated that BA may be one of the agents responsible for the reported biological activities of B. rotunda crude extract

Effect of moisture content on the strength of various weathering grades of granite

This paper presents the variation in strength reduction for various weathering grades of granite due to increase of moisture. This problem often associates with the wet tropical region where thick weathering profile and heavy rainfall are expected. Both field and laboratory studies were carried out in order to assess the rock material properties. The field study involved weathering identification and observations at site. Laboratory tests were carried out to determine the strength, weathering grade, petrology of rock material and moisture content of the materials. A total of 300 samples from various weathering grades were tested at a wide range of moisture content varying from oven-dried to saturated condition. The results revealed that the absorption of water is highly dependent on the weathering grade. The petrological analysis revealed that the content of clayey mineral increase with the weathering grade through the decay of feldspar and ferromagnesian minerals. The point load index reduced up to 137.99% with the increase of only 21.40% of moisture content for highly weathered granite (grade IV). However, in a lower weathering grade (Grade II), a strength reduction of only 21.41% was noted with increase of moisture of 0.27%, although samples have been immersed in water for 60 minute. From the field and laboratory test, reductions of rock material strength from various weathering grade with regards of moisture content are suggested

Field assessment of rock strength by impact load test

This paper introduces a new testing method for field determination of Index strength of rock mass. The method was developed as an alternative test in cases when difficulties were encountered by conventional Schmidt Hammer t o determine the index strength of weak or weathered rock. This note explains the basic concept and the procedure of impact load test as an alternative way to de termine the index strength of w e a k or highly weathered rock. A standard chart was developed for interpretation of impact load test through verification study on weathered granite

Effects of moisture content on the strength of tropically weathered granite from Malaysia

The strength of rock is significantly affected by weathering and moisture content. Due to climate conditions in the tropics, rock is weathered significantly and produces a thick weathering profile. Designing structures in rock with varying degrees of weathering creates problems due to varying material properties. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of moisture content on weathered Malaysian granite of various grades, focusing on strength which is an essential parameter in designing engineering rock structures. Weathering identification tests, Schmidt hammer tests, and impact index tests were performed at the site as part of the field study. In the laboratory, samples were analyzed for durability, point load index, moisture content, density, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and underwent petrographic analysis to examine the mi neralogy. The results revealed that the degree of feldspars weathering and the amount of clay minerals are good weathering grade identifiers. The amount of fresh feldspar decreased from 72 % in grade I specimens to 0 % in grade V specimens, with an increase of altered feldspar and clay minerals fr om 0 to 60 %. The presence of feldspar and mica minerals above 1 % tended to increase the susceptibility of rock to the influence of water. It was also found that the reduction in strength becomes great er with an increasing weathering grade. In addition, the discolouration of rock material from greyish to brownish red also can be a good indicator of strength reduction due to moisture content. Based on the re sults, the extent of strength reduction depends upon the weathering grade, petrographic constituents and duration of water immersion