The influences of melt-compounding parameters on the tensile properties of low filler loading of untreated-MWCNTs polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites.

This study is to investigate the effects of addition self synthesised multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), to the final properties of polypropylene (PP) matrix nanocomposites. The influences of melt blending parameters were evaluated, where the interrelationship between the temperatures of compounding and roller rotor speed of sh earing blade parameter, to the tensile properties of fabricated composites were studied. MWCNT was synthesised in the laboratory scale; by using the floating catalyst chemical vapour deposition(FC-CVD) method. Pre-compounding work is begun with de-agglomeration of MWCNT which carried out by combining the ultrasonication and mechanical stirrer means simultaneously. Carbon nanotubes produced was first verified by using SEM and TEM imaging microscopy t echniques. It was later integrated with the thermoplastic PP matrix, via melt blending process through internally mixing approach. Very low weight percentage of chemically untreated MWCNT (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 & 1.00 wt. %) was added into PP and later was compression moulded to the thin sheet of composites film. Composites were prepared by varying the compounding temperature into three processing temperature namely 165, 175 & 185°C and also into three shearing speed of roller rotor blade, 40, 60 & 80 rpm respectively. Later, it was mechanically tested via tensile testing following the ASTM D-638 standard method. The interrelationship between each parameter of compounding to the mechanical tensile properties was tested. It was shown that, the additional of very low loading of untreated-MWCNT filler content, does give moderate effects on reinforcement to the tensile properties of composite. Different compounding parameter gives significant difference to the pattern of plot which was comparable between each other

Association of body weight status and socio-demographic factors with food habits among preschool children in Peninsular Malaysia

Introduction: Changes in children's food habits are largely attributed to changes in the family and social environment. This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the association of socio-demographic factors with food habits among preschool children in Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: A total of 1,933 preschool children aged 4-6 years old participated in the study. Parents or guardians were interviewed on the socio-demographic characteristics and food habits of their children. Height and weight of the preschoolers were measured; BMI-for-age, weight-for-age and height-for-age were determined. Results: The mean monthly household income was RM3,610 with 59.6% of parents having attained secondary education. The prevalence of possible risk of overweight, being overweight and obesity were 3.9%, 7.9% and 8.1%, respectively while the prevalence of underweight and stunting was 8.0% and 8.4%. A majority of the preschoolers consumed breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, with the proportion of children skipping their main meals at about 15.0%. Parents' education level and household income were significantly associated with intakes of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products, as well as fast food. However, there was no significant association between children's body weight status and frequency of main meals intake, fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products, and fast food intake. Conclusion: The preschoolers demonstrated moderately healthy food habits; nevertheless even at this young age, they were inclined towards fried foods, snacking and fast foods intake. Parents and guardians should play a more significant role in educating and promoting good nutrition and food habits among preschoolers

THE INFLUENCES OF MELT-COMPOUNDING PARAMETERS ON THE TENSILE PROPERTIES OF LOW FILLER LOADING OF UNTREATED-MWCNTs-POLYPROPYLENE (PP) NANOCOMPOSITES

This study is to investigate the effects of addition self synthesised multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), to the final properties of polypropylene (PP) matrix nanocomposites. The influences of melt blending parameters were evaluated, where the interrelationship between the temperatures of compounding and roller rotor speed of shearing blade parameter, to the tensile properties of fabricated composites were studied. MWCNT was synthesised in the laboratory scale; by using the floating catalyst chemical vapour deposition (FC-CVD) method. Pre-compounding work is begun with de-agglomeration of MWCNT which carried out by combining the ultrasonication and mechanical stirrer means simultaneously. Carbon nanotubes produced was first verified by using SEM and TEM imaging microscopy techniques. It was later integrated with the thermoplastic PP matrix, via melt blending process through internally mixing approach. Very low weight percentage of chemically untreated MWCNT (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 & 1.00 wt. %) was added into PP and later was compression moulded to the thin sheet of composites film. Composites were prepared by varying the compounding temperature into three processing temperature namely 165, 175 & 185°C and also into three shearing speed of roller rotor blade, 40, 60 & 80 rpm respectively. Later, it was mechanically tested via tensile testing following the ASTM D-638 standard method. The interrelationship between each parameter of compounding to the mechanical tensile properties was tested. It was shown that, the additional of very low loading of untreated-MWCNT filler content, does give moderate effects on reinforcement to the tensile properties of composite. Different compounding parameter gives significant difference to the pattern of plot which was comparable between each other

Biomechanical Properties and Corrosion Resistance of Plasma-Sprayed Fish Scale Hydroxyapatite (FsHA) and FsHA-Doped Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Coatings on Ti–6Al–4V Alloy for Biomedical Applications

Hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on metallic implants have been extensively used in orthopedic applications to improve tissue-implant interactions, enhance their biocompatibility, and enhance their functionality. However, the expensive synthetic HA is the most widely used bioceramic for implant coatings, leading to high implants costs. Hence, this research explored the potential of an inexpensive biogenic HA derived from fish scales and FsHA/yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) bioceramic coatings on a Ti–6Al–4V alloy as an alternative to synthetic HA coatings. The FsHA/YSZ powders and the coatings were examined with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX), and the surface roughness, microhardness, corrosion resistance, bioactivity, and in vitro cytotoxicity of the coatings were also determined. The morphological powder analysis revealed particles with a slightly irregular morphology and a fine spherical morphology, while the coating microstructure analysis revealed a fine lamellar morphology, with partially melted and unmelted FsHA particles, and fine microcracks along with evenly dispersed ZrO2 particles. The surface roughness of the FsHA coating increased by 87.5% compared with the uncoated substrate, and the addition of YSZ significantly reduced this value. A 35.5% increase in hardness was obtained in the FsHA + 20 wt.% YSZ coating, and the FsHA coating showed a 43.2% reduction in the corrosion rate compared with the uncoated substrate; a further 73% reduction was observed with the addition of YSZ. The microstructure of the coatings after 14 days of immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) revealed enlarged cracks and delaminated segments with well-grown apatite spherulite layers on the whole surface of the coatings, while in vitro cytotoxicity analysis showed a good cell viability of 95% at the highest concentration of the specimen

Factors associated with usability of the EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Self-management mobile app© among individuals with cardiovascular risk factors in primary care

Objective This study aimed to determine the usability of the EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Self-Management Mobile App© and evaluate the factors associated with its usability among patients with cardiovascular risk factors in primary care. Methodology This was a cross-sectional study, conducted among patients aged ≥ 18 years with cardiovascular risk factors attending a university primary care clinic. Patients were given the app to use for at least three months. Those who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were recruited. Data gathered were on sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, self-management support by doctors, utilisation of the app at home and social support in using the app. The previously translated and validated Malay version of the mHealth App Usability Questionnaire was used to measure usability. The mean usability score was calculated and linear regressions analysis was conducted to determine the factors associated with the usability of the app. Results A total of 247 patients with at least one cardiovascular risk factor(s) were recruited. The mean age was 60.2 (±8.2). The majority were Malays (86.2%) and half of them were males (52.2%). The total mean (±SD) usability score was 5.26 (±0.67) indicating a high usability of the app. Usability of the app declined with increasing age in the simple linear regressions analysis. The multiple linear regressions yielded that being Malay ( b  = 0.31, 95% CI 0.08,0.54), using the app at home to understand their medications ( b  = 0.33, 95% CI 0.12,0.53) and having social support from family members and friends ( b  = 0.28, 95% CI 0.07,0.49) were significantly associated with higher usability of the app. Conclusion The usability of the EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Self-Management Mobile App© was high among patients with cardiovascular risk factors in our primary care clinic. This finding supports the widespread use of this app among our patients. Involvement of family members and friends should be encouraged to improve the usability of the app

sj-docx-4-dhj-10.1177_20552076241242795 - Supplemental material for Factors associated with usability of the EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Self-management mobile app© among individuals with cardiovascular risk factors in primary care

Supplemental material, sj-docx-4-dhj-10.1177_20552076241242795 for Factors associated with usability of the EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Self-management mobile app© among individuals with cardiovascular risk factors in primary care by Siti M Abu Hussain, Hayatul N Miptah, Nur A Shibraumalisi, Mohamed-Syarif Mohamed-Yassin, Noorhida Baharudin and Siti F Badlishah-Sham, Nik M Nik Mohd Nasir, Khairatul N Kamaruddin, Lina L Kanoo, Suraya Abdul-Razak, Hasidah Abdul-Hamid, Maryam H Daud, Fakhrul H Yusoff, Anis S Ramli in DIGITAL HEALTH</p

sj-docx-3-dhj-10.1177_20552076241242795 - Supplemental material for Factors associated with usability of the EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Self-management mobile app© among individuals with cardiovascular risk factors in primary care

Supplemental material, sj-docx-3-dhj-10.1177_20552076241242795 for Factors associated with usability of the EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Self-management mobile app© among individuals with cardiovascular risk factors in primary care by Siti M Abu Hussain, Hayatul N Miptah, Nur A Shibraumalisi, Mohamed-Syarif Mohamed-Yassin, Noorhida Baharudin and Siti F Badlishah-Sham, Nik M Nik Mohd Nasir, Khairatul N Kamaruddin, Lina L Kanoo, Suraya Abdul-Razak, Hasidah Abdul-Hamid, Maryam H Daud, Fakhrul H Yusoff, Anis S Ramli in DIGITAL HEALTH</p

sj-docx-1-dhj-10.1177_20552076241242795 - Supplemental material for Factors associated with usability of the EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Self-management mobile app© among individuals with cardiovascular risk factors in primary care

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-dhj-10.1177_20552076241242795 for Factors associated with usability of the EMPOWER-SUSTAIN Self-management mobile app© among individuals with cardiovascular risk factors in primary care by Siti M Abu Hussain, Hayatul N Miptah, Nur A Shibraumalisi, Mohamed-Syarif Mohamed-Yassin, Noorhida Baharudin and Siti F Badlishah-Sham, Nik M Nik Mohd Nasir, Khairatul N Kamaruddin, Lina L Kanoo, Suraya Abdul-Razak, Hasidah Abdul-Hamid, Maryam H Daud, Fakhrul H Yusoff, Anis S Ramli in DIGITAL HEALTH</p