Reexamination of the determinants of master student satisfaction

In pursuing world class university objective, UUM is continuously enhancing the quality standard of its programs. One of the ways to increase quality of higher education is through identifying the student satisfaction determinants. Previous study conducted in similar topic (Nik Mat, Ahmad, & Ismail, 1999) shows that lecturer, language and administration contributed significantly to overall master student's satisfaction while language, administration and core curriculum significantly influenced recommendation. The objectives of this study are (i) to determine the factors contributing to the students' satisfaction and recommendation and (ii) to compare the results of this study with the previous study. The study investigates the relationships between five predictor variables (infrastructure, core curriculum, lecturer, language and administration), and two criterion variables (satisfiction and recommendation). A three-page questionnaire was distributed to 150 masters' students. 71 responses (47% response rate) were obtained. The findings indicate that the overall satisfaction towards the Masters programs is determined significantly by infrastructure and administration. Administration is again found to be significantly related to recommendation. The implications of the findings are discussed

CLAIM MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK UNDER FIDIC 2017: CONTRACTOR CLAIM SUBMISSION

Purpose of the study: The objective of this research is to develop a framework for managing the claim document. The contractual and management issues will be considered in this framework to enhance the Claims Management System (CMS). The framework includes the mechanism of claim submission based on Fédération Internationale Des Ingénieurs Conseils (FIDIC) 2017 clauses and procedures. Methodology: Qualitative methodology has been selected for this paper as the topic requires a collection of sensitive information from an experienced professional. The proposed CM framework developed based on, a study conducted to rank the feature required for CMS. This study has been conducted among 43 experts in Claims Management (CM) field working on contractor firm’s category A. Then, the framework verified by 7 experts who participate in the first study. Main Findings:  Eleven features were required for CMS that can enhance contractor claim submission. These factors have a different level of importance. The top three factors are Tracking Claim Status (99.5%), Supporting all types of document (96.3%), Centralized Database (93.0%). Based on these features, the proposed framework developed to improve contractor claim submission. Applications of this study: Applying the proposed framework will reduce human effort in getting document related to claims by its systematic recording, transparency, a reminder feature, contractual guide, friendly user and other features of the system. Moreover, it will provide the contractual support pursuant to FIDIC 2017 clauses. Novelty/Originality of this study: The framework will improve contractor claim submission and the contractor will be satisfied by claim resolution and engineer determination. Side by side the framework will save about 50% of time consumed (d is missing) by the claims analysts that usually spent in collecting information, screening and identifying related claim event document in the project’s documentation

Spatial distribution of knowledge, attitude and practice on leptospirosis prevention and its predictors using stratum risk identification methods among residents in a flood prone area in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Leptospirosis is a preventable zoonosis of public health importance. Due to seasonal floods and paucity of studies regarding leptospirosis preventive practices in community setting in this country, a study was conducted to determine spatial distribution of knowledge, attitude and practice on leptospirosis preventive practices using stratum risk identification methods among residents in a flood prone area in Kuantan via Geographical Information System (GIS). A cross-sectional study was conducted in Perkampungan Sungai Isap, Kuantan, Pahang, which obtained 568 respondents by stratified proportionate random sampling technique. Data were collected using a validated guided questionnaire. Geographical coordinates were obtained using Garmin gpsmap 62s. Multivariate logistic regression was done using SPSS version 22.0 and spatial mapping using ArcGIS version 9. The response rate was 83.4%. Flood-risk strata were divided into high risk (less than 500 metres), medium risk (500 to 1000 metres) and low risk (more than 1000 metres). Linear measurements were made using ArcMap. Overall, majority (68%) of the respondents had good knowledge. However, only 38% of the respondents had satisfactory attitude and 18% had satisfactory practice. Spatial mapping showed that the lower the stratum risk towards flooding, the poorer the preventive practices. Multivariate logistic regression showed the predictors of satisfactory leptospirosis preventive practices were high-risk stratum (aOR=4.28, 95% CI [1.92, 9.57], P < 0.001), good knowledge (aOR=1.73, 95% CI [1.04, 2.90], P < 0.05) and age group 30 to 39 (aOR=0.30, 95% CI [0.11, 0.83], P < 0.05). In conclusion, GIS is a valuable tool for leptospirosis surveillance by facilitating disease prevention programmes to targeted risk areas. © 2018, Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology

Low methylation of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) is associated with preterm labour in Malaysian mothers

Preterm births comprise 10.6% of livebirths worldwide and account for 35% of deaths among newborn babies. Understanding DNA methylation may offer basic knowledge in the understanding of pathogenesis of preterm labour. The study was undertaken to determine DNA methylation of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) promoter in term and preterm labour using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). Thirty maternal venous blood samples (n=15 each) of term and preterm labour was subjected to bisulfite treatment prior to MSP. This result was then validated using DNA sequencing. Evaluation of the sequencing results by CpG islands analysis was performed using the ClustalW and SPSS software. Primers for MMP1 were located between -1226 and -1378 upstream from the transcription start site (TSS) that consisted five CpG islands. Preterm labour group had significantly lower methylated CpG islands with 39 out of total 75 (52%) compared to the term labour that has 49 out of 75 methylated CpG islands (65.33%) (t=0.694, p<0.05). Methylation occurred in 4 out of 5 methylated CpG islands in the MMP1 promoter where it only involved 2 preterm samples (13.33%) and 7 term samples (46.47%). This data suggested there were significant lower percentage of methylated MMP1 in preterm labour. Higher percentage of methylated MMP1 as observed in the term labour, will probably reduce the expression of MMP1, thus maintaining fibrillar collagen strength on the amniotic membrane and subsequently maintain the pregnancy till term. In conclusion, preterm labour has higher percentage of methylated CpG compared with term labour in MMP1 gene

Bioaccumulation of Carbofuran and Endosulfan in the African Catfish Clarias gariepinus

The African catfish Clarias gariepjnus was exposed to a sublethal dose of 14ecarbofuran and 14G-endosulfan. Mter 1, 6, 12, 24, 72 and 144 h, the fish were removed and insecticide residues determined in the liver, intestines, gills, brain and skeletal muscles. Highest levels of residues, per g dry weight of tissues, was found in the liver (354 ± 6 Jlg carbofuran and 1409 ± 43 ng endosulfan after 24 h) followed by the intestines (239 ± 1 Jlg carbofuran and 1147 ± 21 ng endosulfan after 72 h), the gills (108 ± 2 Jlg carbofuran and 817 ± 19 ng endosulfan after 24 h), brain (57 ± 2 Jlg carbofuran after 24 h, 555 ± 19 ng endosulfan after 72 h) and skeletal muscle (25 ± 1 Jlg carbofuran after 144 h and 364 ± 13 ng endosulfan after 6 h). The residue levels were rapidly accumulated in the tissues. Based on the levels of pesticide residues after 1 h, all the tissues recorded very high levels of residues after 6 h. After reaching maximum levels in the tissues at various times of exposure, the residue levels in all the tissues began to decrease over time

Academic plagiarism in Malaysia higher education institutions: legal perspective

The incidents of plagiarism are prevalent in the academic community throughout the world. In the context of the academic community, plagiarism may damage the reputation as well as negatively affect the credibility and integrity of the institutions and those involved in such behaviours. This paper provides an overview of academic plagiarism in Malaysia and discusses the relevant Malaysian legal provisions, specifically those which applied to Malaysian public higher education institutions concerning the issue of plagiarism. Analysis of statutes and relevant case law was done by employing the doctrinal legal method. It is learned that a number of statutes governing the management and administration of the universities in Malaysia contain provisions on plagiarism that are to be subjected to disciplinary punishment. Of all the statutes, the paper found that the Educational Institutions (Discipline) Act 1976 (Act 174), which governs matters related to discipline in educational institutions but not including universities explicitly stated provision on plagiarism. The paper suggests that universities should adopt clear policy or guideline on student writing handling in order to avoid and deal with plagiarism issues effectively

Culturally Responsive: Exploring the Attributes of Islamic Health Communication

The purpose of this paper is to explore the attributes (basis and values) of faith-based communication strategy on health communication. Eight series of focus group studies on Muslim community were conducted to gather the data. The finding makes abundantly clear that the tawhidic (the belief in Oneness of God) conception significantly determine the effectiveness of Islamic communication message.In addition, there were another six themes that contributes to Islamic health communication attributes which may influence the receiver’s attitudes and behaviours.The insights of this paper may contribute to the further development of health promotion strategies for Muslims community

Culturally responsive: exploring the attributes of Islamic health communication

The purpose of this paper is to explore the attributes (basis and values) of faith-based communication strategy on health communication. Eight series of focus group studies on Muslim community were conducted to gather the data.The finding makes abundantly clear that the tawhidic (the belief in Oneness of God) conception significantly determine the effectiveness of Islamic communication message.In addition, there were another six themes that contributes to Islamic health communication attributes which may influence the receiver’s attitudes and behaviours.The insights of this paper may contribute to the further development of health promotion strategies for Muslims community