Effect on the physico-chemical properties of liberica green coffee beans under ambient storage

Green coffee beans are stored for a certain period and under certain conditions until they are finally utilized. The storage period may depend on customer demand while the storage conditions depend on where the coffee beans are stored. Thus, this research emphasizes the physico-chemical changes that occur in Liberica coffee beans during storage under the Malaysian climate (average temperature and relative humidity of 29.33ºC and 71.75% respectively). The changes in the physico-chemical (coffee size, mass, densities, colour, proximate analysis, sucrose, chlorogenic acid content) and microbiological (yeast and mould count) properties were evaluated during eight months of storage. After the storage, the physical properties of the coffee changed as the coffee beans expanded in size, reduced in mass and density and became brighter in colour. Changes in the chemical properties were also detected where the moisture decreased and the ash content increased. In addition, the sucrose level was found to decrease with a corresponding increase in chlorogenic acid. During storage, the counts of yeast and mould were reduced. Model equations describing the changes in the properties were developed. The overall conclusion was that the coffee beans reduced in quality during storage

Illness perceptions of Libyans with T2DM and their influence on medication adherence: a study in a diabetes center in Tripoli.

BackgroundThe surrounding environment influences the constitution of illness perceptions. Therefore, local research is needed to examine how Libyan diabetes patients perceive diabetes and how their perceptions influence their medication adherence.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology in Tripoli, Libya, between October and December 2013. A total of 523 patients with type 2 diabetes participated in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection; this included the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire and the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale.ResultsThe respondents showed moderately high personal control and treatment control perceptions and a moderate consequences perception. They reported a high perception of diabetes timeline as chronic and a moderate perception of the diabetes course as unstable. The most commonly perceived cause of diabetes was Allah's will. The prevalence of low medication adherence was 36.1%. The identified significant predictors of low medication adherence were the low treatment control perception (p=0.044), high diabetes identity perception (p=0.008), being male (p=0.026), and employed (p=0.008).ConclusionDiabetes illness perceptions of type 2 diabetic Libyans play a role in guiding the medication adherence and could be considered in the development of medication adherence promotion plans

Risk Assessment of Arsenic Mitigation Options in Bangladesh

The provision of alternative water sources is the principal arsenic mitigation strategy in Bangladesh, but can lead to risk substitution. A study of arsenic mitigation options was undertaken to assess water quality and sanitary condition and to estimate the burden of disease associated with each technology in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Dugwells and pond-sand filters showed heavy microbial contamination in both dry and monsoon seasons, and the estimated burden of disease was high. Rainwater was of good quality in the monsoon but deteriorated in the dry season. Deep tubewells showed microbial contamination in the monsoon but not in the dry season and was the only technology to approach the World Health Organization's reference level of risk of 10-6 DALYs. A few dugwells and one pond-sand filter showed arsenic in excess of 50 μg/L. The findings suggest that deep tubewells and rainwater harvesting provide safer water than dugwells and pond-sand filters and should be the preferred options

Work related determinants of breastfeeding discontinuation among employed mothers in Malaysia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This cross-sectional study assesses factors that contribute to discontinuing breastfeeding among employed mothers in Malaysia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A structured questionnaire was used in conducting this study involving all government health clinics in Petaling district between July and September 2006. Respondents were Malaysian women with children between the ages of six to twelve months who were formally employed. Factors studied were selected socio-demographic and work-related characteristics.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>From a total of 290 respondents, 51% discontinued breastfeeding. The majority (54%) of mothers who discontinued breastfeeding had breastfed their babies for less than three months. Compared to Malay mothers, the risk of breastfeeding discontinuation were higher among Chinese (AOR 3.7, 95% CI: 1.7, 7.8) and Indian mothers (AOR 7.3, 95% CI 1.9, 27.4). Not having adequate breastfeeding facilities at the workplace was also a risk factor for breastfeeding discontinuation (AOR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.05, 3.1).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It is important that workplaces provide adequate breastfeeding facilities such as a room in which to express breast milk and a refrigerator, and allow mothers flexible time to express breast milk.</p

Understanding How Ride-Sharing Services Impacted Local Taxi Operators: The Case of Uber in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The introduction of ride-sharing alternative to taxis brought a refreshing alternative to consumers because it promises a comfortable and reliable service of ride sharing. However, Uber i.e. the first ride-sharing service offered in Malaysia in particular, has caused uneasiness among the conventional taxi concessionaires. This paper took a case study approach to understand the reasons behind this issue within the context of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia using document analysis and semi structured interviews. The findings suggest that high quality ride experience that ride- sharing services such as Uber offer have caused much disruption to traditional taxi drivers’ livelihood. Hence, government assistance to improve traditional taxi service is essential to help their continued survival. A few managerial implications are proposed at the end of this paper

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease among community remote areas in Sabah: Population-Based Study

In this population-based study, we determined the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) of community in remote areas of Ranau, Sabah to have accurate information for health-care planning. It also investigated the association of risk factors with the prevalence of CKD. A sample of 270 individuals, compared to the study of the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2011, of the adult population (over 18 years old) undertaken in West Malaysia. We measured the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using this CKD-EPI equation. The total prevalence of CKD in this group was 53%. An estimated 3.3% had stage 1 CKD (eGFR >90 ml/min per 1.73m2), 32.6% had stage 2 (eGFR 60–89 ml/min per 1.73m2), 4.1% had stage 3 (eGFR 30–59 ml/min per 1.73m2), 7% had stage 4 (eGFR 15–29 ml/min per 1.73m2), and 6% had stage 5 CKD (eGFR <15 ml/min per 1.73m2). Only 4% of respondents with CKD were aware of their diagnosis. The significant risk factors included family history of kidney disease, alcohol consumption, smoking status, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. Thus, CKD in East Malaysia are common and warrants early detection, and treatment to potentially improve outcomes can be implemented

Comparison of Soot Particle Movement Based on Crank Angle

In a diesel engine, soot was produced due to incomplete fuel combustion in a combustion chamber. Some of this soot sticks to the cylinder wall and interferes with lubricant oil. This soot causes the lubricant oil to contaminate and this increases its viscosity. Contamination of lubricant oil is one of the major causes of engine wear. Therefore, the focus of this study is on soot movement in diesel engine that is the initial step to avoid contamination of lubricant oil. This work uses the data of the formation of soot particles from Kiva-3v obtained from previous investigation and then simulated it by a Matlab routine. Kiva-3v produced velocity vectors of the soot, fuel, temperature, pressure and others. Matlab routine uses trilinear interpolation and fourth order Runge Kutta method in order to calculate soot movement in a combustion chamber. In addition, the influence of drag force is considered in the calculation to achieve a higher accuracy. The objective of this study is to compare soot particle movement between 8° ATDC and 18° ATDC. Results show that 8° ATDC has a high risk to contaminate lubrication oil in certain location compare to 18° ATDC

Risk Assessment of Arsenic Mitigation Options in Bangladesh

The provision of alternative water sources is the principal arsenic mitigation strategy in Bangladesh, but can lead to risk substitution. A study of arsenic mitigation options was undertaken to assess water quality and sanitary condition and to estimate the burden of disease associated with each technology in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Dugwells and pond-sand filters showed heavy microbial contamination in both dry and monsoon seasons, and the estimated burden of disease was high. Rain\uadwater was of good quality in the monsoon but deteriorated in the dry season. Deep tubewells showed microbial contamination in the monsoon but not in the dry season and was the only technology to approach the World Health Organization's reference level of risk of 10-6 DALYs. A few dugwells and one pond-sand filter showed arsenic in excess of 50 \u3bcg/L. The findings suggest that deep tubewells and rainwater harvesting provide safer water than dugwells and pond-sand filters and should be the preferred options

Impact of Sensor Networks on Aquatic Biodiversity in Wetland: An Innovative Approach

Aquatic biodiversity is in the central field of environmental conservation issues in a wetland. Yet it determinately faced aquatic conservation authorities the loss of biodiversity as a very important global issue for several years due to misuse wireless sensor technology. The study attempts to re-look at the sensor networks that affect the aquatic biodiversity within and around the Tanguar Haor- wetland study at Sunamganj district in Bangladesh. Key aquatic conservation tools provided at the Tanguar Haor and its challenges with gaps in policies for wetland management practices are highlighted. The study shows the aquatic biodiversity-related rules and regulations amended were apex in Bangladesh from 2010 to 2018. The study represents the impact of processed sensor networks on aquatic biodiversity in a wetland to be compared to larger, medium, and smaller animals in a bright, dark and optimum environment, facilitating the design and misuse of wireless sensor networks within GPS locations. Approximately 64% of the respondents agreed on the development of aquatic biodiversity for managing the wetland at Sunamganj with secure peripheral sensor networks. The research also found that the Tanguar Haor is at risk due to misuse of wireless sensor networks compared to other wetlands in the Sylhet Division. Scientific knowledge is indispensable in wetland resource management but it poorly identified such knowledge while various performances are still below par. The research is unique and represents the innovative idea to improve the existing wetland policy linking with the appropriateness for the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Strateg

Narcissism and the strategic pursuit of short-term mating : universal links across 11 world regions of the International Sexuality Description Project-2.

Previous studies have documented links between sub-clinical narcissism and the active pursuit of short-term mating strategies (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality, marital infidelity, mate poaching). Nearly all of these investigations have relied solely on samples from Western cultures. In the current study, responses from a cross-cultural survey of 30,470 people across 53 nations spanning 11 world regions (North America, Central/South America, Northern Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania, Southeast Asia, and East Asia) were used to evaluate whether narcissism (as measured by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory; NPI) was universally associated with short-term mating. Results revealed narcissism scores (including two broad factors and seven traditional facets as measured by the NPI) were functionally equivalent across cultures, reliably associating with key sexual outcomes (e.g., more active pursuit of short-term mating, intimate partner violence, and sexual aggression) and sex-related personality traits (e.g., higher extraversion and openness to experience). Whereas some features of personality (e.g., subjective well-being) were universally associated with socially adaptive facets of Narcissism (e.g., self-sufficiency), most indicators of short-term mating (e.g., unrestricted sociosexuality and marital infidelity) were universally associated with the socially maladaptive facets of narcissism (e.g., exploitativeness). Discussion addresses limitations of these cross-culturally universal findings and presents suggestions for future research into revealing the precise psychological features of narcissism that facilitate the strategic pursuit of short-term mating