Smart distribution board overload detector by using microcontroller

A statistic by Economic Planning Unit (EPU) on the electricity growth in Malaysia has shown an increment in line with economic growth [1]. In line with government policies, the energy supply industry has been molding itself to cater to the rapid development of the nation in hopes of creating a better and smarter nation [2]. There are many developments and implementation of smart energy consumption to save energy and cater to future energy challenges

Role of first trimester ultrasound scan as a predictor of monochorionic diamniotic complications

Introduction: Monochorionic twin pregnancies come with substantially higher complications compared to their dichorionic counterparts, which include intrauterine fetal death, fetal loss prior to 24 weeks, selective intrauterine growth restriction and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Objectives: This work aims to examine the inter-twin discrepancy in nuchal translucency thickness (NT), crown-rump length (CRL), fetal heart rate (FHR) and ductus venosus Doppler (DV), as predictors of complications in monochorionic diamnotic twins (MCDA). Methods: This is a retrospective study that involves 118 MCDA pregnancies followed-up in a tertiary centre, from January, 2011 to June, 2016. NT was measured at 11 to 13+6 weeks’ gestation in 23 MCDA pregnancies. Regression analysis was employed to determine the significance of the association between inter-twin discrepancy in NT, CRL, FHR and DV Doppler with intrauterine death of both fetuses and monochorionic (MC) complications such as TTTS, selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) and twin anemia and polycythemia sequence (TAPs). Results: Multiparous mothers (53.8%) aged between 19 and 35 years (89.9%) contributed to the majority of MCDA twin pregnancies. Among a total of 118 MCDA pregnancies, 16.8% (n=20) developed complications. About 3.4% (n=4) of them had TTTS, and 10.9% (n=13) had sIUGR, while only 0.9% (n=1) developed TAPs and intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) of both fetuses each. A significant prediction of MC complications and intrauterine death was provided by discordant NT of 35% or more (p= 0.021) with a relative risk of 4.0 (95% CI 1.2312.99), a sensitivity of 57.1% and a specificity of 88.2%. Otherwise, there exist no significant associations between discrepancy in CRL, FHR and DV Doppler and MC complications. Conclusions: Inter twin discordance in NT of 35% or more was reported in about 25% of MCDA twins in this group, with the risk of developing MC complications and intrauterine death of over 40%. Among other parameters, it is the early predictors of hemodynamic imbalance between both twins that significantly contribute to a more reliable screening tool for MCDA pregnancies with high specificity

To assess placental volume in first and second trimester of pregnancy in UKM Medical Centre.

This was a prospective cohort study. From May 2011 to June 2012, pregnant women were recruited via the obstetric clinic, patient admission centre and wards in UKM Medical Centre (UKMMC). An ultrasound scan was performed at 11-16 weeks and again at 18-26 weeks of gestation to check for placental volume and Uterine Artery Resistance Index (UARI) and Pulsatility Index (UAPI). The placental volume was measured by three-dimensional ultrasound using the Virtual Organ Computer-Aided Analysis (VOCAL) technique

An observational study of serum vitamin D levels in pregnancy complicated with spontaneous preterm birth.

This observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. The eligible women were grouped into 3 arms after assessment of antenatal history, vitamin D level and bacterial vaginosis status. Women who continued their pregnancy till term were allocated as the control arm, whereas the preterm arm was further divided into pregnancies continued until term and those who delivered prematurely. The pregnancy and the neonatal outcomes were measured

Current dietetic practices in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus: a survey of Malaysian dietitians

The role of the dietitian in the management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is highly recognised. However, consensuses on dietetic approaches for the management of GDM in Malaysia are scarce. This study aimed to examine the current dietetic practices in the management of GDM and to compare nutrient recommendations provided by dietitians to those of several established international guidelines. A survey was conducted among dietitians who were working in government affiliated hospitals across Malaysia. Of 148 questionnaires posted to dietitians, a total of 101 were returned representing an overall response rate of 68%. The majority of the dietitians (80%) reported that they see women with GDM in their daily practices with more than half (53%) having counselled 5 to 9 women per day during the previous 3 months. Flexible carbohydrate exchanges (82%) was the most common recommendation on carbohydrate intake followed by advice regarding small frequent meals spread over the day (62%) and portion control by using the plate method (54%). Only 11% dietitians incorporated the use of the glycaemic index as a measure of carbohydrate intake into their intervention. While recommendations regarding protein intake were consistent with established guidelines, the amount of carbohydrate recommended by the dietitians was higher than that in established guidelines. Although consistency was seen in key components of nutrition intervention, there were differences in the delivery of nutrient recommendations particularly in regard to dietary carbohydrate intake indicating a need for consensus on dietetic practice guidelines for the management of GDM

An improved pheromone-based kohonen self-organising map in clustering and visualising balanced and imbalanced datasets

The data distribution issue remains an unsolved clustering problem in data mining, especially in dealing with imbalanced datasets. The Kohonen Self-Organising Map (KSOM) is one of the well-known clustering algorithms that can solve various problems without a pre-defined number of clusters. However, similar to other clustering algorithms, this algorithm requires sufficient data for its unsupervised learning process. The inadequate amount of class label data in a dataset significantly affects the clustering learning process, leading to inefficient and unreliable results. Numerous research have been conducted by hybridising and optimising the KSOM algorithm with various optimisation techniques. Unfortunately, the problems are still unsolved, especially separation boundary and overlapping clusters. Therefore, this research proposed an improved pheromone- based PKSOM algorithm known as iPKSOM to solve the mentioned problem. Six different datasets, i.e. Iris, Seed, Glass, Titanic, WDBC, and Tropical Wood datasets were chosen to investigate the effectiveness of the iPKSOM algorithm. All datasets were observed and compared with the original KSOM results. This modification significantly impacted the clustering process by improving and refining the scatteredness of clustering data and reducing overlapping clusters. Therefore, this proposed algorithm can be implemented in clustering other complex datasets, such as high dimensional and streaming data

Inovasi Struktur Tenunan Dalam Penghasilan Kain Tenun Pahang Diraja

Tujuan penyelidikan ini dijalankan adalah untuk menghasilkan kain Tenung Pahang Diraja (TPD) yang lebih kompetatif berdasarkan inovasi dalam struktur tenunan. Kain warisan ini juga masih belum di terokai potensinya, melalui suntikan inovasi yang berlandaskan kreativiti ia mampu menyaingi fabrik lain yang berada di pasaran. Penyelidikan ini menggunakan perisian WeavePoint 6.1 dan Schacht table loom untuk menghasilkan variasi struktur tenun sebagai inovasi dalam penghasilan kain TPD. Ciri-ciri fizikal antara kain TPD komersial dan eksperimen seperti tebal, berat, kepadatan dan crease recovery angle (CRA) dikaji dan dibandingkan. Penyelidikan ini telah berjaya menghasilkan beberapa sampel kain tenun Pahang dengan struktur tenun yang berbeza tetapi mempunyai ciri-ciri fizikal yang setanding dengan kain TPD komersial. Malah, pihak Kompleks Penjara Bentong (Unit Latihan Vokasional), Pusat Pergembangan TPD, Kampung Soi dan FELDA Chini Pahang sedang dalam proses pengeluaran kain TPD sebagaimana kain yang dihasilkan dalam eksperimen in

Comparing efficacy of octyl-cyanoacrylate dermabond adhesive glue versus vicryl 3/0 suture for closure of caesarean section skin incision in UKMMC- a prospective randomised controlled trial.

This is a prospective randomised controlled trial conducted at a tertiary hospital on 82 women who underwent caesarean section. The study group, 41 women underwent dermabond skin closure whereas the control group, 41 women had subcuticular vicryl skin closure. Anaesthesia, prophylactic antibiotic, operative technique and post-operative oral analgesia was standardised between both groups. Outcomes that were measured at day 2 before discharge and at postoperative day 10-14 were pain score using VAS, duration and total analgesic dose (after day 2), time taken for skin closure and adverse events between both groups in particular inflammation, surgical site infection and allergic reaction (itching)

Kajian penghasilan polipina: the conversion of pineapple leaves to white fabric / Wan Yunus Wan Ahmad … [et al.]

The Malaysian pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) from Yankee type was converted to fabric through fibre scrapping, hand spinning and hand loom weaving. It was scoured and bleached to remove impurities and turn to natural white colour. The project was to reduce pineapple leaves waste in plantation but a lot of works needs to be carried out to speed up the process of conversion to fibre, yarns and fabric. Process of conversion can be much faster and in larger volume by using suitable machineries and trained workers