The Effect Of Explicit Vocabulary Application (EVA) On Student's Achievement And Appeptance In Learning Explicit English Vocabulary

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of mobile learning application on students’ achievement and acceptance in learning explicit English vocabulary in KPTM Bangi. A mobile phone application that was called Explicit Vocabulary Application (EVA) was developed for this purpose to be used by the experiment group students in learning the topic. The independent variable was the EVA application, while the dependent variables were the students’ achievement in test and presentation, and the perception of the students after using the EVA. Their achievement was measured using pre-test, post-test scores, and presentation scores, while the perception was measured by using a questionnaire. A total of 36 students from two classes of semester one who enrolled in January 2016 were selected in this study. They were divided into two groups: control group and experiment group, which each group consisted of 18 students and the students that belong to the experiment group was required to have android smartphone in order for them to be able to use the application. The findings indicate: (1) no significant difference between the pre-test scores of the control group and the experiment group, (2) a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores after using the application, (3) a significant difference between presentation scores between the control group and the experiment group, (4) a significant positive impact on students who used the application. Overall the findings clearly indicate that the students that used the application have better achievement than those who did not in their test and presentation. Through this study, the EVA is proven to influence the students’ learning and motivation

Lead and Cadmium Content of Total Suspended Particulates in the Atmosphere over the Klang Valley

Five sites (urban, suburban, new township, industrial, and rural) were selected and sampled for total suspended particulates (TSP) using high-volume samplers. The TSP were then analysed for their lead and cadmium content in 3 extraction fractions. While the most polluted sites for atmospheric lead and cadmium were different, namely the BBP (Pudu Fire Station) urban and UPM (Universiti Pertanian Malaysia) suburban sites, respectively, the least polluted site was the same for both metals, namely the KSM (Sungai Merab Village) rural site. Comparisons of the temporal distribution patterns of TSP, lead and cadmium indicate that variation in TSP concentrations does not seem to influence variations in lead and cadmium concentrations. Analysis of fractionation patterns suggests that the BBP urban site has slightly higher percentages of anthropogenic lead and cadmium from fresh sources than the other sites

Implications of Shift Work on Health of Women Workers in an Electronic Factory

A study on the health effects of shift work among Malay workers was conducted at an electronic factory in Hulu Kelang, Selangor. The comparative study was done on shift and regular workers. A sample consisting of 100 shift workers which made up 20% of the' total shift work first, and 40 regular workers which made up about 80% of the regular workers were selected. Firstly, purposive sampling was done where all the respondents selected we.re unmarried Malay women who worked as production operators. Later, simple random sampling was carried out to select the respondents. Data was collected using questionaire based on the objectives. The respondents selected were in the age range, 1.9.- 22 years. The respondents had until secondary school level education and had been working from 1 - 5 years with a monthly income of about $350 -$400. Statistical tests revealed significant differences in health of shift and regular workers. Shift work affects their sleeping patterns and·mealtime. The disturbance has a negative impact on the physiology of the workers. Emotionally, the shift workers are not satisfied with the working conditions as well as the working system. Besides' this, shift work also affects the social activities of workers, such as recreation, relationship~ with other members of the family, relatives and friends

Respiratory health of children exposed to PM10: consequence of construction waste open dumping

Introduction: Due to rapid urbanization, Malaysia is currently undergoing extensive amount of construction activities and significant rise in the construction waste. Improper construction wastes management practices have led to rise in the waste open dumping sites which may significantly affect the environment and public health. This study was undertaken to assess air pollution in such a site and the impact to the respiratory health of children studying in a nearby school. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Sungai Buloh (exposed) and Kuala Selangor (comparative). Concentration of PM10 was monitored at the open dumping site (n=15), a nearby primary school (n=45) and a comparative primary school (n=12). Parents who gave consent (n=229) answered a questionnaire related to child’s respiratory health whereas their children participated in lung function assessment. Results: Concentration of PM10 at the dumping site, exposed school and comparative school was 0.245±0.048mg/m3, 0.270±0.020mg/m3 and 0.051±0.016mg/m3 respectively, with the first two significantly exceeded the 24-hour Malaysian Air Quality Standard (MAQS) for PM10 (0.150mg/m3). Besides, PM10 concentration in the exposed school was similar to the dumping site (p>0.05) and many folds higher than the comparative school (p<0.001). There was a significant risk of cough (PR=1.55), phlegm (PR=1.70), wheezing (PR=1.55) and obstructive pattern of lung function defect (PR male = 4.36; PR female = 3.65) among the exposed group children than their comparative counterpart. Conclusion: Open dumping of construction waste would release substantial amount of PM10 into ambient air and ultimately affect the respiratory health of community, especially children

Comparison of Lung Functions Among Asthmatic Children in Malaysia

A comparative study was conducted on 163 asthmatic children from Kuala Lumpur (polluted area) and 38 asthmatic children from Terengganu (less polluted area). The objective of this study was to compare the lung functions of the asthmatic children between the 2 sexes and study areas. Questionnaires and diary cards were used to obtain background information and frequency of asthma attacks. A spirometer was used to measure lung functions of the asthmatic children. Findings showed that there was a significant difference in the FEV,% predicted (p=0.002), FEV/FVC % predicted (p =0.001) and the %FEV/FVC (p=0.002) between male children in the two areas. However, only the FEV,% predicted (p=O.Oll) was significantly different between the female children in the two areas. Significant correlation was also found between the frequency of asthma attacks with FEV)% predicted (p=0.008), FEV/FVC % predicted (p=O.OOI) and % FEV/FVC (p=O.OOI) among the asthmatic children Kuala Lumpur but no significant correlation was found among the asthmatic children in Terengganu

Distribution of Dermal Contamination under the Influence of Difference Spraying Flow Rate among Spray Operator in Tropical Country

Human skin is undoubtedly the major route of exposure to environmental contaminants, particularly when endo- and exo- pesticide drift is unavoidable whenever pesticide is applied. This field analytical study was conducted to determine dermal contamination of spray operator during pesticide application under the influence of difference spraying flow rate at the rice farming village of Selangor, Malaysia. The fluorescent tracer technique was used to quantify the dermal contamination pattern of the spray operator, followed by quantifying the concentration of fluoresceine with the aid of digital fluorometer. In summary, the mixture of pesticides applied to the farmland with higher spray rate (L/min) showed an increased contaminant doses retained on the body surface. In summary, it is recommended that changes in application techniques, setting up buffer zones or selection of low spraying flow rate (L/min) could improve the efficacy and safety of pesticide contamination through dermal pathway. Keywords: dermal contamination, spraying flow rate, spray operato

Second-hand smoke in public spaces : how effective has partial smoke-free legislation been in Malaysia?

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Air quality and children's environmental health: is our future generation at risk?

The text discusses on the air quality with various types of pollutants which included primary and secondary gaseous pollutants, respirable particulate, lead and microbes. Health impacts on children such as respiratory symptoms, asthma, allergies, and impairment of the lung functions, cognitive, as well as hearing ability have been discussed as evidence from previous research findings in other countries generally and in Malaysia specifically. Vulnerability of children to the gaseous ambient air pollutants were highlighted. The indoor air quality has also lately posed threats to children especially microbes in indoor environment. These microbes specifically fungus, caused allergic reactions as well as trigger asthmatic related symptoms to sensitive groups. With the increase of environmental threats such as climate change, air quality will deteriorate further which may amplify respiratory diseases and health problems among children especially the urban poor. Health risk assessment as a tool, can be used to assess the risk, however, it has limitations and is not protective of children. The US EPA has developed a “A Framework for Assessing Health Risk of Environmental Exposures to Children” document with the purpose of providing an overarching framework for a more complete assessment of children’s exposure to environmental agents and the resulting potential health risks. The future direction spells out the responsibilities of parents, teachers, ministries and governmental roles in the protection of children’s health