Electrical resistivity and flexural strength of plastic composites reinforced with pineapple leaf particles / Shahril Anuar Bahari ... [et al.]

The electrical resistivity and flexural strength of plastic composites reinforced with pineapple leaf particles (PCPLP) is presented. PCPLP were produced using different plastic materials; Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP), and different plastic-pineapple leaf particle ratios; 50:50 and 70:30. The PCPLP were tested and evaluated with respect to electrical resistivity and flexural strength according to ASTM D257 and D790, respectively. The results indicate that PCPLP made from PP exhibits better electrical resistance than PE, which may be attributed to the better frequency insulation behaviour of PP. PCPLP using the higher ratio of 70:30 also exhibited better electrical resistance than the lower 50:50 ratio. Cellulose materials inherently influence the electrical resistance of plastic composites, due to their natural propensity to absorb moisture. The PCPLP produced using a ratio of 50:50 for both PP and PE composites exhibited better MOE results than the 70:30 composites, however the converse is true with respect to the MOR. MOE of PCPLP was increased with increasing pineapple leaf particles content due to the greater matrix stiffness of this natural particle with respect to plastic matrix. However, high percentage of filler particles in the matrix (70:30 ratio) has reduced the toughness in the composite structure due to the lost of physical contact between high accumulated particles

ENHANCEMENT OF LOCUS OF CONTROL AMONG INMATES IN REHABILITATION CENTERS UNDERGOING A CAREER THERAPY MODEL: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the study: This paper is undertaken to discuss the enhancement of locus of control through Career Therapy Model intervention imposed upon 38 participants in selected drug rehabilitation centers in Malaysia. Methodology: In this study, the qualitative research design was adopted and interview was used to garner feedback from facilitators in charge, as well as the participants. The data collected was analysed by using content analysis approach where several themes were figured out in regard to locus of control as concerned. The participants were chosen by using purposive sampling. Main findings: The results indicated that the Career Therapy Model had been proven as effective in elevating the clients’ internal locus of control as the feedback collected demonstrated likewise. Most of the encouraging responses were constituting the effectiveness of the career therapy model, where the participants’ level of locus of control was enhanced as they are taking charge in deciding directions of their own lives. Applications of this study: This career therapy model is developed by researchers for job-searching enterprise purpose; to provide a second chance for the drug addicts to enter a more realistic workplace, with regards to their level of skills and inclination and indirectly ensuring their recovery. Originality/ novelty: Career therapy model is one of the first models of career counseling in Malaysia. Besides, the model approach in method delivery has been customized according to local-cultural setting and is evidence-based practice. In addition to career counseling aspect, this career therapy model also provides guidelines on how to deal with relapse and coping skills when they are back to the mainstream of society.&nbsp

Life and counselling experiences of elderly Malay residents in Rumah Seri Kenangan, Cheras, Malaysia

This study is aimed at exploring the life and counselling experiences of elderly Malay residents in Rumah Seri Kenangan Cheras, Selangor by using reminiscence therapy and to gain insight about the meaning of those experiences to the residents. Life expectancy rates in Malaysia continue to grow, however the additional years are usually spent in negative state, with the elderly in frailty and riddled with disability in Long-term Care (LTC) Homes. Therefore, counselling becomes one of the factors which could help the elderly to live the remaining years of their life in a positive manner, thus helping them to achieve successful ageing. The study has two research questions: (1) What are the life experiences of residents in Rumah Seri Kenangan Cheras, and (2) What are the counselling experiences of the residents in Rumah Seri Kenangan Cheras This study employs a basic qualitative research design. Six elderly Malay residents were first provided counselling by the researcher using reminiscence therapy approach in a six-week individual counselling session. After the sessions ended, the respondents were interviewed for their feedback on the experiences that were gained through counselling. Both the counselling sessions and follow-up in-depth interview were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data is then translated from Malay into English and were analysed by using the constant comparative method. The findings yielded twenty two themes based on the analyses of the themes. These themes were organized according to the research questions regarding their life andNcounselling experiences. The findings indicate nine emergent themes regarding their life experiences in the old folks’ home, including: (1) Sadness of Being Away From Close Relatives, (2) Using Humour in Everyday Life, (3) Concern About Death, (4) Loss of Independence, (5) Religion (Islam) as an Important Component of Everyday Life, (6) Reminiscence of Past Events, (7) Concern of their Health, (8) Not Getting Good,Balanced Diet, and (9) Advice-giving Role and Wisdom. From the emergent themes for the residents’ counselling experiences, there are thirteen themes: (1) Negative Initial Perception of Counselling, (2) Changing Perception of Counselling, (3) Coping With Fear/Anger Living in an Old Folks’ Home, (4) Talking as a Form of Therapy, (5) Increased Acceptance of One’s Self, (6) Increased Acceptance of The Effects of Ageing, (7) Importance of Continuing Involvement in Life, (8) Feeling Happier After Counselling Ends, (9) Acceptance of Counselling Services, (10) Pride in Previous Accomplishments, (11) Personal Empowerment, (12) Cherishing Past Memories, and (13) Introspection of Past Events. The findings showed the reminiscence therapy approach used for counselling has helped giving meaningful life and counselling experiences to the participants. The approach has allowed the respondents to look back at their past life to have a more positive outlook of their past. Therefore, counselling through reminiscence therapy in Long-term Care (LTC) institutions could be the best way to help the residents achieve successful ageing. It is hoped that further research could be done on counselling the elderly by using other therapeutic approaches and on other ethnic group

Methanol poisoning in Klang Valley, Malaysia: Autopsy case series

Introduction: Despite its rarity and sporadic occurrence, methanol poisoning may result in devastating consequences to the victims including death. Method: We report a series of methanol poisoning cases following an outbreak in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Victims were presented as either brought-in-dead or died during hospitalization. Medico-legal autopsy was performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Sungai Buloh in all cases. We sought to establish epidemiology, survival period, level of methanol, autopsy, and neuropathology findings of the cases. Results: Sixteen deaths from methanol poisoning were retrospectively reviewed during a two-month period from September to October 2018. Majority of cases (81 %) were pronounced dead in hospital. Male victims predominated and more than 90 % were young productive adults. Ninety percent of the victims were immigrants. Intoxication symptoms developed within hours of ingestion and almost half of fatalities occurred within 3 days. Significant levels of methanol were detected from blood and other bodily fluids. Autopsy findings of early deaths were minimal and non-specific while delayed death cases within seven days to two weeks showed several morphological changes in the brain. Almost all cellular constituents of the nervous system were affected. Neuronal degeneration predominated in all lobes while axonal dystrophy was less commonly detected within the temporal region. Conclusion: Many methanol poisoning victims became symptomatic within 24 h of ingestion. The severity of neuropathological changes correlated well with the period of survival which warrants in-depth studies particularly within areas of brain cellular response towards different levels of methanol toxicity