Complete 3rd cranial nerve dysfunction post-deflation/excision of an encasing pituitary macroadenoma intrasellular cyst: A case report

Central nervous system injury in particular cranial nerve palsy has been reported to be as high as 2%. Such prevalence of palsy generally attributed to surgical manipulation at the cavernous sinus, especially incurring the abducens nerve. We report the first case of acute oculomotor nerve sequel to the release of cystic fluid wrapping the nerve following a transsphenoidal excision of pituitary macroadenoma in a 57-year-old woman. She attended with the presentation of acute excruciating headache associated with partial drooping of right eye. The computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were consistent with pituitary apoplexy of an underlying pituitary macroadenoma. Urgent transsphenoidal hypophysectomy was done. Intra-operatively, cystic fluid was aspirated during pituitary tumour dissection. At the same time, curettage was employed to removal residual tumour after the tumour biopsy. Immediate post-operative assessment noted complete right eye ptosis, with clinical evidence of complete right third and fourth nerve palsies. MRI was repeated a week later in view of such palsy non-resolution. However, no local compression or edema noted. Observation and monitoring were opted versus surgical revision. Propitiously the aforementioned cranial nerve palsies persist for a month and subsequently subsided. In this case, we highlight the potential deleterious impact of aspirating cystic component and curettaging during pituitary surgery. Likely postulated accounts for such occurrence include sudden release of fluid pressure with resultant cystic traction on its enfolding cranial nerves and subsequent neuropraxia. We aim to invite comments that could enlighten us on this gray area

Optimization of non thermal plasma reactor performance for the decomposition of xylene

Non Thermal Plasma (NTP) is an emerging method used for the decomposition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This research focuses on the optimization of NTP reactor performance for decomposition of xylene from wastewater using response surface methodology (RSM) by operating the NTP reactor at applied voltage of 12-15 kV, discharge gap of 2.0-3.0 cm and gas flow rate of 2.0-5.0 L/min. An optimum xylene removal efficiency of 81.98% was obtained at applied voltage 15kV, discharge gap 2.09cm and gas flow rate at 2.36 L/min. The experimental removal efficiencies and model predictions were in close agreement with an error of 0.63%

Competitive anxiety levels of track and field athletes in rural area of Sabah

The purpose of the study was to examine the competitive anxiety level of track and field athletes in remote areas of Sabah. A total of 213 male athletic athletes aged between sixteen to eighteen years have participated in this study. The participants' competitive anxiety levels before competition were assessed and classified into three categories: cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence. The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2) was utilized in this study, and participants completed the questionnaire 60 minutes before the competition began. The data were analyzed by using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that field athletes were significantly better compared to track athletes in cognitive anxiety and self-confidence, (p 0.05). The study found that field events athletes can cope with anxiety better than track events athletes. Hence, it was essential for track and field athletes to get a proper training program regarding their psychological demands before the competition. Low anxiety and high confidence levels can contribute to improved performance in athletes

Competitive anxiety levels of track and field athletes in rural area of Sabah

The purpose of the study was to examine the competitive anxiety level of track and field athletes in remote areas of Sabah. A total of 213 male athletic athletes aged between sixteen to eighteen years have participated in this study. The participants' competitive anxiety levels before competition were assessed and classified into three categories: cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence. The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2) was utilized in this study, and participants completed the questionnaire 60 minutes before the competition began. The data were analyzed by using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that field athletes were significantly better compared to track athletes in cognitive anxiety and self confidence, (p 0.05). The study found that field events athletes can cope with anxiety better than track events athletes. Hence, it was essential for track and field athletes to get a proper training program regarding their psychological demands before the competition. Low anxiety and high confidence levels can contribute to improved performance in athletes

The effects of small-sided games versus traditional training on physical fitness and skills among Under-12 hockey players

Background and Study Aim Despite many evidence showed the effectiveness of small sided games (SSG) to be included in sport training programs, majority of the study was done in soccer, while is very limited in hockey. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the effects of small, sided games and traditional training on physical fitness components (cardiovascular endurance, power, speed) and skills (dribbling, hitting, passing) among Under-12 hockey players. Material and Methods a total of 36 primary schools’ male students aged below 12 that represent their district were randomly divided into three groups: i) 3x3, ii) 4x4 and iii) traditional training (TT). The yo-yo test (cardiovascular endurance), standing long jump test (power) and 30m sprint test (speed) were conducted to measure level of physical fitness performance while the skills of the players was tested based on the skills of dribbling, hitting and passing. Pre- and post-tests were conducted on all fitness and skill level before and after 8-week intervention period. Mixed between within analysis of variances (ANOVA) was used to analyze the differences in physical fitness and skills performance between and within the three groups. Results The results of this study showed all groups managed to improve their physical fitness and skills in the post test. However, the 3x3 and 4x4 SSG have better improvement compared to TT in physical fitness while no significant differences were found in skills tests. Conclusions in conclusion, SSG interventions were found to be more effective in improving physical fitness but not in terms of skills. Coaches are encouraging to implement SSG in their training program in order to improve both physical and skills among hockey players

Relative age effect in U-16 Asian Championship Soccer Tournament

Athletes born at the beginning of the year may present advantages in terms of physical characteristics, motor ability or cognitive knowledge that could increase their chances for selection against their peers. This circumstance could lead to the over-representation of older athletes in an age-defined competition, a phenomenon commonly referred to as relative age effect (RAE). Although, a number of studies have demonstrated that RAE is apparent in youth soccer, such studies rarely investigate the performance advantage that likely exists across the birth month of the athletes. The current study aims to determine the presence of RAE in the under 16 Asian Football Confederation Championship (AFC); investigate the effect of RAE on the team qualification success; as well as ascertain the existence of RAE in choice of playing position amongst the soccer players. Data for the 2018 AFC under 16 qualifications matches were obtained from the AFC. A total of 719 players from 32 countries participated in the qualification competitions. Chi-square for goodness fit is used to determine the existence of the RAE across the players’ month of birth while logistic regression is applied to analyze the differences of the quartiles’ distribution with respect to the quartile, qualification status (qualifier or non-qualifier) as well as the playing position of the players. The results demonstrate the presence of RAE in the AFC under 16 soccer tournaments [χ2(4) = 21.53; p < 0.001] with the largest number of older players dominating the qualified team. Likewise, a substantial difference is observed with regards to the quartile and various playing positions of the players at p < 0.05

Effect of Modifying Net Height and Court Size on Children's Badminton Performance

It may be possible for children to acquire motor skills more successfully and effectively if they are given equipment that is the right size for their physical characteristics. The study aims to examine the effect of modifying court size and net height on children’s badminton performance. Sixteen children aged 7 to 9 years (Mage = 8.3 years ± 1.4) participated in the study. They competed in a mini-match under four different situations where the court size or net height was modified. Children’s match-play performances in all conditions were notated and analyzed via video replay. The results from a repeated measure of two-way ANOVA showed that there was a significant interaction between court and net height on winning strokes, unforced errors, and strokes struck, p .05. The findings demonstrated that reducing court size and lowering net height led to an offensive playstyle where children recorded higher winning shots with fewer shots struck and unforced errors. Lowering net height also resulted in a shorter rally length and decreases in hitting opportunities. The current findings suggested that by reducing net height and court-size, skill acquisition can be enhanced among junior badminton players in match-play performance as the condition has improved children's success experience by producing more successful strokes during a match. These factors can be apart from being motivating factors that encourage decision-making in a realistic environment

Performance investigation of graphene based-nanofluids as a metalworking fluid for turning process

Most lubricants used for machining industry are mineral-based oil thus gives negative impact on environment and humans because of their toxicity and non-biodegradability. Therefore, vegetable-based oil has been taken as other initiatives to produce bio-based metalworking fluid (MWFs) especially from non-edible oil (jatropha oil). The aim of this study was to investigate the turning performance of nanofluids from modified jatropha based-oil (MJO) with the addition of graphene nanoparticles at various concentrations (0.01wt%, 0.025wt%, 0.05wt%). The performances of MJO based nanofluids were compared with synthetic ester (SE) as the benchmark oil in terms of cutting temperature, chip thickness and workpiece surface roughness. From the results, MJO + 0.025wt% graphene nanoparticles recorded the lowest cutting temperature, and chip thickness with smoother workpiece surface roughness compared to all samples. In conclusion, MJO + 0.025wt% exhibit superior machining performance and could be potential candidate as sustainable MWFs to replace mineral based oil for the machining processe

Gross motor development among 7 – 9 years old children in Sabah

The aim of the study was to examine the gross motor development of children between 7-9 years old in Sabah. A total of 240 children (134 boys, 104 girls) participated in this study from 2 different location; rural and urban area. The children’s proficiency in motor skills was assessed with the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2). The children performed two trials for each gross motor skill which has been divided into two subtests, locomotor and object control. The results showed that there was no significant difference between boys and girls in locomotor skills (p>0.05) but there was a significant difference in one of the object control skills (overarm throw) between boys and girls (p<0.05). There were significant differences between rural and urban children in locomotor skills (run, gallop, and slide) and object control (catch and underarm roll) (p<0.05). The current study demonstrated that children in rural schools displayed better fundamental motor skills development compared to children in urban schools