A Threshold Analysis of Internet Users and the CO2 Emissions Nexus

The study adopted threshold regression techniques to estimate the cross-section data spanning 2017 to 2021. It hypothesized that internet users affect CO2 emission between countries and this would vary depending on the level of population. Countries that have smaller populations may not have the same effect on CO2 emissions as compared to countries with larger  populations. The empirical results show that internet users exert a significant influence on CO2 emissions, especially under high threshold regimes. Thus, the larger the population, the higher and more significant will be the impact on CO2 by internet users. Keywords: CO2 emissions; population; threshold regression; Internet users eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2023. The Authors. Published for AMER and cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under the responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v8iSI15.508

Adoption of the Systematic Facilities Management Approach to the Sustainable Performance of Mosques

Mosques play a vital role in the Islamic community. Philosophically, they have been developed not only as places of worship, but also to function as a centre for various aspects of Islamic community development. However, these days, with the increasing number of mosques being built, it has become a big challenge for the mosque authorities to maintain the role of the institution as the centre of the Islamic community.  This paper explores previously unstudied issues related to the critical success factors (CSFs) of the facilities management (FM) of mosques. The final aim of the review is to develop a conceptual framework incorporating a systematic FM approach to the sustainable performance of mosques. It makes a comprehensive literature review of numerous published sources, such as journals, books, websites, magazines and unpublished theses, focusing on understanding of the concept of the FM of mosques, the concept of the CSF approach, the growing importance of FM, and its significant role in supporting the current functions of mosques. The proposed conceptual framework developed from the literature review will provide guidelines and understanding of how FM should be conceived, managed and integrated with other key management activities within the context of mosques in Malaysia. It will also provide understanding of the best practical approach to the FM of mosques. The paper contends that this approach is certain to contribute to an environment and society as prosperous as it was during the golden age of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) if the concepts outlined in the proposed framework are adopted and adapted

Addressing the Issues of Maintenance Management in SMEs: Towards Sustainable and Lean Maintenance Approach

This paper outlines on the preliminary outcomes of pilot project aimed at exploring the issue related to managing of maintenance activity in the Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs have been accepted as vital components of domestic industry development in many countries. However, the literature portrays that many of Malaysian SMEs particularly the companies involved in manufacturing, fabrication and machining services are struggling to manage the maintenance of their manufacturing equipment. Dependable manufacturing equipment is important factor towards organizational profitability. Managing the maintenance activity of those manufacturing equipment nowadays, is becoming more challenging due to automation and computerization. Due to such issues, SMEs companies are under stiff pressure to minimize lost time for their survival. Thus, this study seeks to explore the related issues towards further improvements. Qualitative research methodology was adopted in the study. Data were collected at eight (8) SMEs located in three (3) different areas, namely southern, central and eastern region of peninsular Malaysia. Information was gathered from semi-structured interviews with SMEs management and observations focuses on different areas of maintenance management at the respective SMEs. The main concern is to validate the critical success factors (CSFs) in managing the maintenance activity at selected SMEs. This study discovered that nine (9) CSFs are having the most significant impact towards improving the maintenance management practice for SMEs. These include: understanding the MM philosophy; management commitment and leadership; maintenance strategy; maintenance planning; maintenance training; monitoring and assessment; appropriate number of maintenance staff; integration of tools, techniques and technology, and; record of maintenance data. All those CSFs construct are integrated in a simple yet self-explanatory MM Framework to convey the conceptual idea of MM implementation program to the management and technical people within SMEs. It is believed that the MM Framework developed would serve as an indicator of company’s MM focus level. Through the identification of the CSFs constructs, the SMEs can utilize the information to improve their approach in systematic MM program. The discovered CSFs are vital for all stakeholders that directly or indirectly involve in managing the maintenance activity in SMEs. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-01283 Full Text: PD

Potential Neuroprotective Effect of Apis dorsata Honey Against Morphine Tolerance: An in-vivo Study

Background: To determine the effects of Apis dorsata honey on the development of morphine tolerance and oxidative stress in rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 male Sprague Dawley rats were injected (subcutaneous) with 10 mg/kg of morphine following oral administration of A. dorsata honey (0.5, 1.5, and 2.5g/kg). On day 15, the rats were euthanized, and the thalamus, spinal cord, and hippocampus were homogenized to assess iNOS and MDA using ELISA kits.Results: The honey of A. dorsata significantly prevented morphine tolerance to analgesia in the hotplate test on Day 14 (p<0.05). The biochemical assessment showed that A. dorsata honey significantly reduced MDA formation in the brain regions compared to the morphine control group at dose 2.5g/kg. Elevation of iNOS caused by chronic morphine intake was reduced in A. dorsata honey co-treatment. Conclusion: This study suggests the therapeutic role of A. dorsata honey in preventing morphine tolerance via inhibition of oxidative stress

Hubungan antara penagihan dadah dengan keganasan rumah tangga

Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) dan negara-negara anggotanya melalui Resolusi Perhimpunan Kesihatan Sedunia 49.25 telah mengakui bahawa keganasan adalah masalah awam yang serius dan juga merupakan suatu pencabulan hak asasi manusia. Di Malaysia, istilah “keganasan rumah tangga” merujuk kepada keganasan yang dilakukan oleh pasangan terhadap isteri atau orang yang disayangi. Statistik menunjukkan bahawa kes penagihan dadah meningkat seiring dengan peningkatan jumlah kes keganasan rumah tangga. Objektif kajian ini ialah untuk mengkaji perspektif responden berkenaan keganasan rumah tangga terutamanya dalam kalangan pengguna-pengguna opiat di Malaysia khususnya di Terengganu seterusnya kesan penagihan dadah terhadap keharmonian rumah tangga. Kaedah pengajian prospektif telah dijalankan dalam tempoh enam bulan ke atas 30 orang penagih opiat yang sedang menerima rawatan Terapi Gantian Metadon (TGM) di sekitar Kuala Terengganu dengan menggunakan borang kaji selidik. Analisis deskriptif digunakan untuk menganalisis data dalam kajian kuantitatif. Kajian ini menggunakan perisian SPSS versi 22.0%.Hasil kajian memfokuskan hubungan kekeluargaan, perlakuan, tingkah laku serta emosi di antara respondan dan pasangan. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa hampir 80.0% responden tidak mempunyai sejarah penderaan sebelum ini dan tidak melakukan keganasan rumah tangga terhadap pasangan mereka. Sebanyak 39.4% responden sangat bersetuju bahawa keganasan rumah tangga adalah jenayah, berbanding 7.1% responden yang tidak bersetuju. Seterusnya, data menunjukkan bahawa 36.0% responden bersetuju bahawa layanan mereka terhadap pasangan berubah setelah mengambil dadah. Data juga membuktikan bahawa sebanyak 22.0% responden merasakan pasangan mereka berasa risau dan takut apabila bersama mereka. Hasil daripada analisis data menunjukkan bahawa kebanyakan responden merupakan individu yang mampu menjalani kehidupan normal sebelum pengambilan dadah. Walau bagaimanapun, setelah pengambilan dadah, perubahan pada tingkah laku dan emosi responden menyebabkan berlakunya keganasan dalam rumah tangga dan terhadap keluarga. Hal ini seterusnya menyebabkan pasangan berasa tidak selamat apabila bersama responden

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Onderzoek naar de verbetering van de synthese van 1-fenyl-N-hexyllithium

SIGLEKULeuven Campusbibliotheek Exacte Wetenschappen / UCL - Université Catholique de LouvainBEBelgiu

Halal certificate readiness assessment (HaCeRa) tool: towards automation of the Halal application process

Business owners are concerned that obtaining Halal certificates will be a time-consuming, complicated, and lengthy process. The time it takes to assemble the large quantity of documents and evidence required to qualify for the Halal certification process is one of the main issues. The design and development of a web-based tool, Halal Certificate Readiness Assessment (HaCeRa), to aid in the automation of the Halal certificate readiness assessment process will be discussed in this paper. This could alleviate some of the problems and make it easier for company owners to obtain a Halal certificate. For food premises, food product producers, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) categories, the system serves as a thorough Halal readiness assessment. The HaCeRa provides a comprehensive checklist that contains all the necessary information and documents for the Halal certification assessment. HaCeRa also visualises the Halal readiness progress based on the Halal certificate checklist to assist them to get their Halal certification. HaCeRa includes visualizations of Halal readiness progress based on the Halal certification checklist to help expedite preparation and inform potential Halal applicants of their present status. The HaCeRa system also supports the Halal consultants, allowing them to keep track of their clients' progress and provide reports and summaries of their clients' readiness assessments based on the clients' assessment records