Mengurangkan Tingkah Laku Mengganggu Murid Autistik Semasa Menyiapkan Tugasan dengan Teknik Peneguhan Bukan Kontigensi

Kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengkaji kesan penggunaan teknik peneguhan bukan kontigensi untuk mengurangkan tingkah laku mengganggu murid semasa menyiapkan tugasan. Kajian ini melibatkan seorang murid Autistik yang dipilih secara bertujuan dan tingkah laku bermasalah telah dikenal pasti oleh pengkaji. Reka bentuk kajian ialah ‘single-subject design’ (A-B-A) yang dijalankan selama enam minggu berturut-turut, melibatkan fasa baseline (A), fasa intervensi (B) dan fasa tanpa intervensi (A). Pengkaji telah menggunakan teknik peneguhan bukan kontigensi melalui kaedah ‘escape break’ iaitu memberikan murid melakukan aktiviti yang disukai selama 3 minit dan disusuli dengan 2 minit waktu menyiapkan tugasan. Kaedah intervensi ini dijalankan semasa aktiviti menyiapkan latihan tugasan dalam proses pengajaran dan pembelajaran. Data telah direkodkan secara pemerhatian dan rakaman video. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan terdapat pengurangan tingkah laku mengganggu dan daya tumpuan murid meningkat semasa intervensi dijalanka

Investigating the factors that influence the quality of open source systems

Open Source Software (OSS) has impacted software industry and recently became extremely popular. Many agencies, especially the Malaysian government agencies are capitalizing on open source projects due to the merit it offers. Due to the vast usage in the industry and government administrations, there is a colossal need to investigate on the quality of applications. Therefore, this research will study the quality factors of OSS used by Malaysian government, namely MyMeeting, and MyTaskManager. In this research, McCall’s Quality Factor Model is used as a quality model and it emphasizes on quality factors such as maintainability, correctness, reliability, efficiency and usability. This research utilizes six object-oriented metrics by Chidamber and Kemerer (CK) to measure the quality factors of OSS. The metrics were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results from the data analysis show that coupling and complexity influence the class size

Determination of Minimum Sample Size Requirement for Multiple Linear Regression and Analysis of Covariance Based on Experimental and Non-experimental Studies

  Background: MLR and ANCOVA are common statistical techniques and are used for both experimental and non-experimental studies. However, both types of study designs may require different basis of sample size requirement. Therefore, this study aims to proposed sample size guidelines for MLR and ANCOVA for both experimental and non-experimental studies. Methods: We estimated the minimum sample sizes required for MLR and ANCOVA by using Power and Sample Size software (PASS) based on the pre-specified values of alpha, power and effect size (R2). In addition, we also performed validation of the estimates using a real clinical data to evaluate how close the approximations of selected statistics which were derived from the samples were to the actual parameters in the targeted populations. All the coefficients, effect sizes and r-squared obtained from the sample were then compared with their respective parameters in the population. Results: Small minimum sample sizes required for performing both MLR and ANCOVA when r-squared is used as the effect size. However, the validation results based on an evaluation from a real-life dataset suggest that a minimum sample size of 300 or more is necessary to generate a close approximation of estimates with the parameters in the population. Conclusions: We proposed sample size calculation when r-squared is used as an effect size is more suitable for experimental studies. However, taking a larger sample size such as 300 or more is necessary for clinical survey that is conducted in a non-experimental manner

Tunable ultra-long random distributed feedback fiber laser

A 72 km open-ended symmetrical tunable random distributed feedback fiber laser (RDB-FL) with different pumping schemes is presented in this study. The random distributed feedback was contributed by Rayleigh scattering in the single-mode fiber while distributed gain was provided by the effect of stimulated Raman scattering. The pumping schemes tested with the configuration was outward and inward pumping, where these would be backward and forward pumping in a non-symmetrical configuration of a fiber laser, respectively. The tuning range was also varied in conjunction with the different pumping schemes to determine the optimum performance. Random lasing in the RDB-FL was achieved by utilizing multiple scattering in the disordered gain medium to achieve resonance. With pump power limited to 1.5 W, the best threshold was measured as low as 1.4 W while the highest total output power was at 8 mW. In outward pumping configuration, the wavelengths that are within the maximum Raman gain (1555-1565 nm) show the best peak powers and total output power with a narrow linewidth, as low as 0.25 nm

A model of doctor-patient communication and information seeking a study among trainee or junior doctors in Malaysian hospital

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the doctors-patients communication style and their information seeking practiced among doctors under training or junior doctors in Malaysian hospital. Two types of communication styles evaluated are doctor centered and patient centered communication. Meanwhile, elements of information seeking practice evaluated are exploration of the reason for encounter, history taking, concrete solutions, structuring the interview, interpersonal skills and communicative skills. These six elements were categorized into interview skills and process skills. This information seeking skills have been derived from meta-analysis conducted by Stewart and Roter (1989). We combined the doctors-patients communication style and information seeking practice to develop a model based on four quadrants namely doctors-interview, doctors-process, patient-interview and patient-process. The subjects for this research are doctors under training or junior doctors in Malaysia. This explorative research distributed a set of questionnaires in order to collect data for analysis. The result show that the doctors under training or junior doctors tend to practice doctor-centered styles compare to patient-centered. Meanwhile, most of them demonstrate all the information seeking practice at a high level. Based on four quadrants developed by researcher, research shows that the doctors mostly categorized in doctor-centered communication style and interview information-seeking skills. We suggested that doctors should be more patient-oriented rather than doctor oriented. We also suggested the model that we developed can be used as a model of communication pattern of the doctors and can be used for future research

Gene expression analysis of the concomitant existence of lymphovascular and perineural invasion in colorectal cancer

The invasion of cancer cells into the peritumoral, lymph node and perineural system could be detrimental on cancer patients. In colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, the presence of lymphovascular (LVI) and/or perineural (PNI) invasion could significantly influence on the survival rates, treatment options and recurrence tendencies. To date, no study has analyzed the molecular profile of the concomitant existence of LVI and PNI in CRC. Here, we reanalyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) CRC datasets and focused on cases where the information regarding LVI and PNI are available (n=176). We performed differential gene expression, methylation and microRNA analysis by comparing the groups having both or either LVI and PNI with the control group (LVI negative and PNI negative). Although there was no significant difference in the methylation and miRNA profiles, we identified a number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The comparison between the LVI+PNI+ and LVI-PNI- groups revealed key DEGs including SFTA2, PHACTR3, CRABP2, ODZ3, GRP, HAP1, CSDC2, TMEM59L and HDAC9. Meanwhile, in the LVI-PNI+ vs LVI-PNI- group, some of the DEGs found were PTPRR, EFNA2, FGF20, IGFL4, METRN and IGFBPL1. We believe that this study could be beneficial and add value to further understand the complex molecular profiles of CRC

Testing in blockchain-based systems: a systematic review

The Internet of Things (IoT), insurance, healthcare, government systems, financial services, and other industries have recently adopted the blockchain technology. As blockchain technology evolves, the list will continue to expand. Implementing blockchain technology is becoming more challenging due to various problems such as throughput issues, user identity exposure, and smart contract vulnerability. Therefore, blockchain-based technology should undergo appropriate testing before deploying to a broader range of businesses. This study conducted a comprehensive systematic review on testing the blockchain systems based on three main issues; performance, privacy and smart contract, which aims to identify opportunities for future research. The recently published publications are extracted from two selected digital libraries, IEEE Xplore and Scopus, by applying selected search terms and conditions. This research found that 27.78% of the relevant research is based on blockchain performance testing, 27.78% on blockchain privacy testing, and 44.44% on blockchain smart contract testing. It was observed that more research focuses on smart contract issues than other issues