A legal review on the Malaysian judges' code or ethic / Muhammad Yazid Mohamad Salim…[et al.]

The basic idea behind this research project paper is to identify several issues. The first one will be on the purpose of the establishment of the Judges' Code of Ethic 1994 and the problems within the 1994 Code itself which render it to be difficult in term of enforcement. Secondly, to look through the new Judges' Code of Ethic 2009 which had replaced the 1994 code, whether or not this new code had solved all the problems faced by the Judges' Code of Ethic 1994. In our findings, it was proven that the 1994 code do have several problems as well as lacuna which also can be the main cause why it has not been used or referred. Comparatively, eventhough the new 2009 Code of Ethic had covered some of these problems, the new code itself do still have problems which need to be looked into. This project paper manages to compare Malaysia Judges' Code of Ethic with the Judges' Code of Ethic from other countries such as India, Australia and United States. In order to make this particular Judges' Code of Ethic workable and implementable, we have gathered some recommendations and suggestions from people who are expert in relation to this matter. In conclusion, all the problems and lacuna identified under the 1994 and 2009 Judges' Code of Ethic need to be considered and reviewed so that we can came out with a more comprehensive and absolute Code of Ethic for the judges

Silicon nanowire interface circuit for biosensing applications

Detection and quantification of biological and chemical species are critical to many areas of the life sciences and health care, from disease diagnosis to drug screening. Central to detection is the transduction of the signal associated with the sensing event. Advances in nanotechnology have led to the development of the silicon nanowire which is faster, smaller, greener and cheaper. These nanowires have a very narrow diameter similar to that of the chemical and biological species to be sensed making them perfectly suited for biosensing. The top-down fabricated silicon nanowires is used in this work due to its oxide-coated surface and ease of integration with other microelectronic components. Due to the ultra-small output signal of the nanowire, bulky equipments which are often time consuming and expensive are used for reading the signal. This work attempts to build a circuit that can be interfaced with the nanowire to make the signal readable hence the sensor will become portable thereby increasing its utility to being a point-of-care and field-testing device

Influence of Molybdenum Disulphide (MoS2) Nanoparticles Loading in Treated Used Palm Oil Bio-lubricant on Surface Roughness during Turning of AISI420

The environmental impact and non-biodegradability of petroleum-based lubricants has caused some researchers to shift the formulation of lubricant formulation using plant-based oil, However, food security has caused concerns in development of new bio-lubricants. In this study, treated used cooking palm oil added with Zinc Dialkyldithiophosphate and Molybdenum Disulphide nanoparticles were used as lubricant to assist the cutting of hardened martensitic stainless steel AISI420 using coated carbide tool. Surface roughness of the cut workpiece was investigated using a surface roughness tester. From the study, treated used cooking oil added with ZDDP and 0.8wt% MoS2 nanoparticles displayed the lowest average surface roughness of workpiece with Ra = 0.532µm and total roughness Rz = 4.006µm. This concluded that the new formulated bio-lubricant can successfully replace the readily available commercial cutting fluid as it produces a low surface roughness during cutting process

Feasibility Studies of Treated Used Cooking Palm Oil as Precursor for Bio-Lubricant

The non-renewability and and non-biodegradability of petroleum based lubricants as well as the environmental impacts their waste contributes to the environment has caused the search for a substitute for precursor of lubricant formulation. The food security issue has caused major concerns on how vegetable oil could replace petroleum based product lubricants. This paper reports the feasibility studies of kinematic viscosity, friction and wear properties of treated used cooking palm oil as precursor for development of new bio-lubricant. The treated used cooking palm oil displayed a comparable value of kinematic viscosity of 43.6cSt, coefficient of friction of 0.126 and 122µm which is almost similar to the value of fresh cooking palm oil. Treated used cooking palm oil is seen to be a suitable candidate for precursor of bio-lubricant formulation, However, some additives may need to be added as to increase the tribological properties for treated used cooking oil to be used as a bio-lubricant

Effects of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Anaerobic Sludge From 500m3 of Closed Anaerobic Methane Digested Tank on Pressed-Shredded Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Composting Process

In this study, co-composting of pressed-shredded empty fruit bunches (EFB) and palm oil mill effluent (POME) anaerobic sludge from 500 m3 closed anaerobic methane digested tank was carried out. High nitrogen and nutrients content were observed in the POME anaerobic sludge. The sludge was subjected to the pressed-shredded EFB to accelerate the co-composting treatment. In the present study, changes in the physicochemical characteristics of co-composting process were recorded and evaluated. The co-composting treatment was completed in a short time within 40 days with a final C/N ratio of 12.4. The co-composting process exhibited a higher temperature (60 - 67℃) in the thermophilic phase followed by curing phase after four weeks of treatment. Meanwhile, pH of the composting pile (8.1 - 8.6) was almost constant during the process and moisture content was reduced from 64.5% (initial treatment) to 52.0% (final matured compost). The use of pressed-shredded EFB as a main carbon source and bulking agent contributed to the optimum oxygen level in the composting piles (10 - 15%). The biodegradation of composting materials is shown by the reduction of cellulose (34.0%) and hemicellulose (27.0%) content towards the end of treatment. In addition, considerable amount of nutrients and low level of heavy metals were detected in the final matured compost. It can be concluded that the addition of POME anaerobic sludge into the pressed-shredded EFB composting process could produce acceptable and consistent quality of compost product in a short time

Microhabitat factors influenced the prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in small mammal host

Leptospirosis, a widespread zoonotic disease, is a public health problem, especially in major urban centres, and is mainly reported to be associated with rats. In Malaysia, focus has been primarily given to the Leptospira prevalence in rodents per se, but there is lack of information on the microhabitat structure of the outbreak areas. We aimed to determine the diversity of small mammal species, microhabitat types, and their prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in the outbreak areas, which were categorized as urban, semi-urban, and recreational forests. Sampling involved deploying 100 to 300 live traps at each study site. Kidney samples were extracted from selected individuals, for screening of pathogenic Leptospira spp. by PCR. Out of 537 individuals from 15 small mammal species captured, 4 species were recorded from urban, 13 from semi-urban, and 11 from recreational forest sites. From 389 individuals screened, 58 were tested positive for pathogenic Leptospira. Recreational forests recorded the highest prevalence with 19.4% (n = 93), followed by urban, 16.6% (n = 163) and semi-urban sites with 9.8% (n = 133). Seven rodent species were tested positive for pathogenic Leptospira from all areas. R. norvegicus was found to harbour the highest prevalence (66.7%) in urban, R. rattus (53.8%) in semi-urban, whereby M. whiteheadi (44.4%) in recreational forest sites. Microhabitat analysis revealed that rubbish quantity contributed especially strongly to a high prevalence of Leptospira. This study contributes to understanding of the host and microhabitat preferences of Leptospira, which is important in controlling the spread of this disease in human's landscapes

Impak pameran dan perkhidmatan pandu lalu terhadap pinjaman buku baharu: kajian berasaskan Return on Investment (ROI)

The Library has purchased 10,050 copies of printed books for UKM researchers from 2009 to 2013. Nevertheless, the study found only 4,864 (48.4%) of books were borrowed. This problem should be overcome due to the fact that the estimated cost of books purchasing is RM8.72 million compared to the value of the books that were borrowed (RM4.5 million). A preliminary study was conducted by the Management Quality Improvement Team (QIT) with regards to borrowing transactions using Return on Investment (ROI) and Cost Benefit Ratio (CBR) methods. Several suggestions on how to increase books circulation were presented by the Management QIT to the Library. Two suggestions were implemented by the Innovative and Creative Group (ICG) KLIK in 2014/2015 which included new books display and Drive-Thru@PTSL service. The study has proved that new books display and Drive-Thru@PTSL service have increased the borrowing transaction rate from 1.6% up to 46.8% in nine months

Impact of primary kidney disease on the effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease: secondary analyses of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

Background: The EMPA KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease mainly through slowing progression. We aimed to assess how effects of empagliflozin might differ by primary kidney disease across its broad population. Methods: EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA). Patients were eligible if their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher at screening. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily or matching placebo. Effects on kidney disease progression (defined as a sustained ≥40% eGFR decline from randomisation, end-stage kidney disease, a sustained eGFR below 10 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or death from kidney failure) were assessed using prespecified Cox models, and eGFR slope analyses used shared parameter models. Subgroup comparisons were performed by including relevant interaction terms in models. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110. Findings: Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5–2·4). Prespecified subgroupings by primary kidney disease included 2057 (31·1%) participants with diabetic kidney disease, 1669 (25·3%) with glomerular disease, 1445 (21·9%) with hypertensive or renovascular disease, and 1438 (21·8%) with other or unknown causes. Kidney disease progression occurred in 384 (11·6%) of 3304 patients in the empagliflozin group and 504 (15·2%) of 3305 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·71 [95% CI 0·62–0·81]), with no evidence that the relative effect size varied significantly by primary kidney disease (pheterogeneity=0·62). The between-group difference in chronic eGFR slopes (ie, from 2 months to final follow-up) was 1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (95% CI 1·16–1·59), representing a 50% (42–58) reduction in the rate of chronic eGFR decline. This relative effect of empagliflozin on chronic eGFR slope was similar in analyses by different primary kidney diseases, including in explorations by type of glomerular disease and diabetes (p values for heterogeneity all >0·1). Interpretation: In a broad range of patients with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression, including a wide range of non-diabetic causes of chronic kidney disease, empagliflozin reduced risk of kidney disease progression. Relative effect sizes were broadly similar irrespective of the cause of primary kidney disease, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors should be part of a standard of care to minimise risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease. Funding: Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and UK Medical Research Council

Empagliflozin in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background The effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease who are at risk for disease progression are not well understood. The EMPA-KIDNEY trial was designed to assess the effects of treatment with empagliflozin in a broad range of such patients. Methods We enrolled patients with chronic kidney disease who had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of at least 20 but less than 45 ml per minute per 1.73 m(2) of body-surface area, or who had an eGFR of at least 45 but less than 90 ml per minute per 1.73 m(2) with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (with albumin measured in milligrams and creatinine measured in grams) of at least 200. Patients were randomly assigned to receive empagliflozin (10 mg once daily) or matching placebo. The primary outcome was a composite of progression of kidney disease (defined as end-stage kidney disease, a sustained decrease in eGFR to < 10 ml per minute per 1.73 m(2), a sustained decrease in eGFR of & GE;40% from baseline, or death from renal causes) or death from cardiovascular causes. Results A total of 6609 patients underwent randomization. During a median of 2.0 years of follow-up, progression of kidney disease or death from cardiovascular causes occurred in 432 of 3304 patients (13.1%) in the empagliflozin group and in 558 of 3305 patients (16.9%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64 to 0.82; P < 0.001). Results were consistent among patients with or without diabetes and across subgroups defined according to eGFR ranges. The rate of hospitalization from any cause was lower in the empagliflozin group than in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.78 to 0.95; P=0.003), but there were no significant between-group differences with respect to the composite outcome of hospitalization for heart failure or death from cardiovascular causes (which occurred in 4.0% in the empagliflozin group and 4.6% in the placebo group) or death from any cause (in 4.5% and 5.1%, respectively). The rates of serious adverse events were similar in the two groups. Conclusions Among a wide range of patients with chronic kidney disease who were at risk for disease progression, empagliflozin therapy led to a lower risk of progression of kidney disease or death from cardiovascular causes than placebo

Impact of primary kidney disease on the effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease: secondary analyses of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

Background: The EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease mainly through slowing progression. We aimed to assess how effects of empagliflozin might differ by primary kidney disease across its broad population. Methods: EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA). Patients were eligible if their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher at screening. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily or matching placebo. Effects on kidney disease progression (defined as a sustained ≥40% eGFR decline from randomisation, end-stage kidney disease, a sustained eGFR below 10 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or death from kidney failure) were assessed using prespecified Cox models, and eGFR slope analyses used shared parameter models. Subgroup comparisons were performed by including relevant interaction terms in models. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110. Findings: Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroupings by primary kidney disease included 2057 (31·1%) participants with diabetic kidney disease, 1669 (25·3%) with glomerular disease, 1445 (21·9%) with hypertensive or renovascular disease, and 1438 (21·8%) with other or unknown causes. Kidney disease progression occurred in 384 (11·6%) of 3304 patients in the empagliflozin group and 504 (15·2%) of 3305 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·71 [95% CI 0·62-0·81]), with no evidence that the relative effect size varied significantly by primary kidney disease (pheterogeneity=0·62). The between-group difference in chronic eGFR slopes (ie, from 2 months to final follow-up) was 1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (95% CI 1·16-1·59), representing a 50% (42-58) reduction in the rate of chronic eGFR decline. This relative effect of empagliflozin on chronic eGFR slope was similar in analyses by different primary kidney diseases, including in explorations by type of glomerular disease and diabetes (p values for heterogeneity all >0·1). Interpretation: In a broad range of patients with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression, including a wide range of non-diabetic causes of chronic kidney disease, empagliflozin reduced risk of kidney disease progression. Relative effect sizes were broadly similar irrespective of the cause of primary kidney disease, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors should be part of a standard of care to minimise risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease. Funding: Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and UK Medical Research Council