Persuasive technology as an intervention programs for Health care in Malaysia: a review

The statistics regarding health problem in Malaysia shows more than 50% of Malaysian adults have at least one of Non-Communicable Disease. Thus, effort to create awareness as well as promoting mind-set change with regards to health habit is paramount. Researches prove that ICT played significant role in influencing the way of thinking, behaviour and decision making. Intervention programs through computer application should be used to persuade and support health awareness, treatment and prevention. This paper investigate and review studies using persuasive technology in health intervention program in Malaysia. It presents the main objective, the technology persuasive principles and final findings of each study. In conclusion, the application of persuasive technology brings positive impact to awareness creation, aiding prevention and support to change as well as influencing people for a better healthy living.Keywords: persuasive technology; health intervention programs; health care; Malaysia

Evaluation of water quality parameters, growth and proximate composition of juvenile crab, Portunus pelagicus cultured in RAS and non RAS system

Juvenile blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus were reared over 31 days in two different systems namely recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) and conventional aquaculture system (CAS) to evaluate the water quality parameters, growth, and its body composition. The juvenile crab, weighing of 0.95 ± 0.18 g and stocking was at 40 crabs m-2 and fed twice per day with a commercial shrimp pellet. During the experimental time, significantly (P <0.05) increment in dissolved oxygen (DO) (6.42 ± 0.13), low level of ammonia- nitrogen (0.04 ± 0.10) and nitrite-nitrogen (0.04 ± 0.10) were recorded in RAS than conventional aquaculture system (CAS) (DO: 5.99 ± 0.24; ammonia- nitrogen: 3.83 ± 1.59; nitrite-nitrogen: 0.71 ± 0.58). The carapace width, weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly (P <0.05) higher in RAS. Protein content (22.65 ± 0.11%) in crab also were significantly (P <0.05) higher in RAS compared with crab protein (21.41 ± 0.12%) cultured in CAS. Although the survival rate was slightly higher in the juveniles reared at CAS, however it was not significantly different comparing with the individuals reared at RAS. The results strongly suggested that the use of RAS may improve the growth performance and maintain the better water quality for the crabs in captivity

Flow modelling and noise generation of interacting prisms

AIAA 2014-3287Noise generation is a signi cant issue for High-Speed Trains, HSTs, and as speeds in- crease aerodynamically generated noise becomes the dominant noise source. In this article, the e ect of nose shape, carriage separation and yaw angle on the aerodynamics and noise generation are analysed using two prisms, representing a HST model. The aerodynamics are modelled using Computation Fluid Dynamics, CFD, and the ow velocity and turbu- lence intensity in various positions in the wake are compared with experimental hotwire data measured in the Anechoic Wind Tunnel, AWT, at The University of Adelaide, with good agreement. Finally, acoustic beamforming images of the noise generated by the in- teracting prisms measured in the AWT are presented. The acoustic results show that a blunt nose tends to increase noise at lower frequencies signi cantly, while increasing prism separation tends to increase noise over most frequencies, but most signi cantly at mid- frequencies, and increasing yaw angle increases noise across all frequencies. Beamforming results show that at lower frequencies, this noise tends to be generated at the leading and trailing edges, while at higher frequencies the noise tends to be generated in the carriage gap.Zebb Prime, Danielle J. Moreauy and Con J. Doola

Productivity, biochemical composition and biofiltering performance of agarophytic seaweed, Gelidium elegans (red algae) grown in shrimp hatchery effluents in Malaysia

Aquaculture systems may release large amounts of nutrients into the marine ecosystem that can lead to eutrophication. Many seaweed species are efficient in reducing the nutrient concentration in aquaculture waste. In this study, the agarophyte Gelidium elegans originating from Korea was investigated for bioremediation of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) broodstock effluent (SBE) in a shrimp hatchery in Malaysia. The G. elegans was cultivated in SBE using a semi-continuous culture system to evaluate the effects of elevated nutrients on the biomass, growth rate, quality and quantity of agar, pigment content and biochemical composition of seaweed. In the treatment containing G. elegans, pollutant nutrient concentration was reduced by 100%, and by 78.7%, 47.9%, and 19.6% for ammoniacal-nitrogen, nitrite, nitrate, and orthophosphate, respectively. The seaweed grew well (1.4 ±0.3% d^-1) in SBE and produced appreciable amounts of protein (3.8% DW), carbohydrate (41.4 % DW) and agar (25.9% DW), that were significantly enhanced when cultured in the SBE compared to control. The photosynthetic performance of G. elegans assessment using a Diving-PAM showed the healthy condition of the grown seaweed without any indication of stress in shrimp hatchery effluent. Results showed that G. elegans has biofiltering and bioremediation potential for the shrimp hatchery effluent

Crosslinked thermoelectric hydro-ionogels:A new class of highly conductive thermoelectric materials

In this work, a new class of highly-conductive chemically cross-linked gel has been synthesized by the confinement of water and IL N, N, N triethyl octyl ammonium bromide ([N2228] Br) in polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) matrix, using in situ thermally initiated radical polymerization loaded with 1 wt% free radical initiator azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). This novel gel was named as hydro-ionogel (HIG). The thermoelectric properties of HIG such as ionic conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity were measured and owing to its high thermoelectric performance, we referred to this as crosslinked thermoelectric hydro-ionogel, henceforth will be denoted by X-TEHIG. For all the measurements, coin cells were fabricated using commercial LIR 2032 stainless steel battery casings with X-TEHIG sandwiched between the two graphene electrodes. The ionic conductivity of X-TEHIG was examined via AC impedance spectroscopy technique by using a Gamry apparatus. Remarkably, the ionic conductivity of X-TEHIG was higher than that of neat [N2228] Br. A linear increase in ionic conductivity of X-TEHIG as a function of temperature was recorded that showed a considerably higher value of 74 mScm−1 at 70 °C. The origin of this high conductivity is attributed to interactions between PEGDMA monomers and cations and anions of the IL and formation of hydrogen bonds between water and Br− anion, OH⋯Br−. X-TEHIG demonstrated a higher Seebeck coefficient of 1.38 mVK−1. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy results revealed the successful polymerization of X-TEHIG by the disappearance of CC peak of methacrylate group in the spectrum of PEGDMA. These results suggest that X-TEHIG may be a potential candidate for thermoelectric applications owing to their high values of ionic conductivity and Seebeck coefficient

A multi-stakeholder strategy to identify conservation priorities in Peninsular Malaysia

Malaysia, with its rapidly growing economy, exemplifies the tensions between conservation and development faced by many tropical nations. Here we present the results of a multi-stakeholder engagement exercise conducted to (1) define conservation priorities in Peninsular Malaysia and (2) explore differences in perceptions among and within stakeholder groups (i.e. government, academia, NGOs and the private sector). Our data collection involved two workshops and two online surveys where participants identified seven general conservation themes and ranked the top five priority issues within each theme. The themes were: (1) policy and management, (2) legislation and enforcement, (3) finance and resource allocation, (4) knowledge, research and development, (5) socio-economic issues, (6) public awareness and participation and (7) rights of nature. In spite of their very different backgrounds and agendas, the four stakeholder groups showed general agreement in their priority preferences except for two issues. Respondents from government and private sector differed the most from each other in their priority choices while academia and NGO showed the highest degree of similarity. This ranked list of 35 conservation priorities is expected to influence the work of policy-makers and others in Peninsular Malaysia and can be used as a model to identify conservation priorities elsewhere

Distribution and health risk assessment of trace metals in freshwater tilapia from three different aquaculture sites in Jelebu Region (Malaysia)

The trace metal concentrations in edible muscle of red tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) sampled from a former tin mining pool, concrete tank and earthen pond in Jelebu were analysed with microwave assisted digestion-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results were compared with established legal limits and the daily ingestion exposures simulated using the Monte Carlo algorithm for potential health risks. Among the metals investigated, arsenic was found to be the key contaminant, which may have arisen from the use of formulated feeding pellets. Although the risks of toxicity associated with consumption of red tilapia from the sites investigated were found to be within the tolerable range, the preliminary probabilistic estimation of As cancer risk shows that the 95th percentile risk level surpassed the benchmark level of 10(-5). In general, the probabilistic health risks associated with ingestion of red tilapia can be ranked as follows: former tin mining pool > concrete tank > earthen pond. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Students’ acceptance of learning management systems: i-LearnV3

The rapid changes in technology simultaneously has upgraded the previous e-learning to more advanced software of LMS. This study was an advanced study from the previous to identify the new factors that contributed to the students’ acceptance of a new verssion of i-Learn as a medium of LMS. The study adapted the instruments to measure the students’ acceptance of LMS by investigating the factors that influence the students’ acceptance of LMS. The simple random sampling technique has been used by distributing questionnaire to students via online survey. A total of 260 completed questionnaires were used to analyze the adapted variables including new variables. As a result, there were six hypotheses were tested and all hypotheses were supported in this study. To conclude, new variables in LMS were significantly connected in this study among users of LMS.Keywords: learning management systems; e-learning; i-Learn; technology acceptance mode

Analysis of Golfer‘s brainwave signal during par tee Ireland and driving range game

Ways to improve sport performance become exceptional contemporary interest. Nowadays, many studies use human brain as an input signal include eyes blinking, attention and meditation to control the exchange process. Brain–Computer Interface (BCI) requires generating control signals for external device by analysing the internal brain signal. The objective is to identify the signal of brainwave which gives effect to performance of golfer. The analysis involved the meditation (α) and attention (β) state of different golf players. In this project, the brainwave of golfer’s will be analyzed based on the movement before club strike the ball. EEG signal used to find out the features by using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The analysis included three categories of player include beginner, intermediate and professional. Two types of game have been considered which are Par Tee Ireland and Driving Range. The project interfaces MATLAB software with an EEG headset. The data has interpreted in time and frequency domain graph that show different level in an attention (β) state for both games. Brainwave signals indicated players’ performance and lead to better performance. This data benefits increasing the performance of golfer to become the professional golfer by using electroencephalography (EEG) headset in future study

(+)-Isoaltholactone: A furanopyrone isolated from Goniothalamus species

(+)-Isoaltholactone, (2S,3S,3aR,7aS)-3-hydroxy-2-phenyl-(2H,3aH)-furano[3,2-b]pyran-5-one was isolated from stembark of Goniothalamus malayanus, stembark and leaves of G. montanus and roots of G. tapis