The Role of Media on Knowledge, Awareness and Students' Attitude during Movement Control Order (MCO)

The Malaysian government had announced the Movement Control Order (MCO) to handle the Covid-19 crisis. During MCO, the government has used media channels to spread the information to the public. This research aims to identify the mediating part of both knowledge and awareness between students' attitude and media role during MCO. The findings from 338 respondents analysed using structural equation modelling found that knowledge and awareness mediate between media and students' attitude. This study could guide policymakers to promote a greater understanding of the coronavirus pandemic by using the mass media. Keywords: Knowledge, Awareness, Attitude, Role of Media eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6i16.271

Production of cyclodextrin (cd) using immobilized recombinant Escherichia coli

Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) + starch CD. Nontoxic compound – capable to form molecular inclusion complexes. Soluble in water

Immobilization of recombinant escherichia coli on hollow fiber membrane as whole cell biocatalyst for cyclodextrin (cd) production

Cyclodextrin Glucanotransferase (CGTase) + starch CD .Immobilization of E.coli on the hollow fiber membrane as a biocatalyst. Cell biocatalyst offers more advantages in comparison to traditional fermentation : protect the cell from environmental changes, provides cell reusability and increase productivity

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Sodium Counting System in Mass Catering for Therapeutic Diet Preparation

Sodium is a well-known substance to enhance food taste, but the intake must be restricted, especially for patients who require a low-sodium diet. The amount of added salt in cooking can be optimized and controlled by calculating the total sodium in the ingredients used. This process is cumbersome for hospital meal catering, in which food is prepared based on the number of daily orders and specific diets. The existing solution uses a spreadsheet for calculating the amount of sodium, which is vulnerable to errors and not user-friendly. This paper presents a systematic system that can monitor and control the amount of sodium during meal preparation for hospital catering. The system consists of two main parts: a desktop application and an automated salt dispenser. The application keeps track of sodium usage based on the final ingredient list and the meal plan, thus allowing the catering officer to check the feasibility of changing the sodium amount needed for cooking without doing any manual calculations. The application is then integrated with a salt dispenser to ensure the salt amount used in the cooking is as intended. The successful implementation of this system supports Malaysia’s 2021–2025 salt reduction strategy to prevent and control Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD). It is also consistent with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, which calls for a global decrease in salt intake of 30%

Sodium Counting System in Mass Catering for Therapeutic Diet Preparation

Sodium is a well-known substance to enhance food taste, but the intake must be restricted, especially for patients who require a low-sodium diet. The amount of added salt in cooking can be optimized and controlled by calculating the total sodium in the ingredients used. This process is cumbersome for hospital meal catering, in which food is prepared based on the number of daily orders and specific diets. The existing solution uses a spreadsheet for calculating the amount of sodium, which is vulnerable to errors and not user-friendly. This paper presents a systematic system that can monitor and control the amount of sodium during meal preparation for hospital catering. The system consists of two main parts: a desktop application and an automated salt dispenser. The application keeps track of sodium usage based on the final ingredient list and the meal plan, thus allowing the catering officer to check the feasibility of changing the sodium amount needed for cooking without doing any manual calculations. The application is then integrated with a salt dispenser to ensure the salt amount used in the cooking is as intended. The successful implementation of this system supports Malaysia’s 2021–2025 salt reduction strategy to prevent and control Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD). It is also consistent with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, which calls for a global decrease in salt intake of 30%

Production of biopolymer from waste materials as the suitable alternative for plastics

Biopolymer is a promising alternative material to substitute synthetic plastics for daily use, due to its excellent stability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. This chapter discusses the current investigations on the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) using wastes from different sources such as lipid, milk, and agricultural waste. The utilization of these wastes reduces the production cost for the sustainable production of eco-friendly biopolymer. Recent developments in the fermentation process and optimization of process parameters contribute toward the research effort on managing the waste for biopolymer production. Biopolymer applications in industries are highlighted as well. Moreover, limitations and future prospects for biodegradable and low-cost biopolymer production are addressed

Q-switched Erbium-doped Fiber Laser with a Black Phosphorus Saturable Absorber

A passively Q-switched Erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) is demonstrated using a black phosphorus saturable absorber as the Q-switcher. The laser generates a stable pulse operating at a wavelength of 1562.35 nm within a pump power region from 7.2 mW to 42.3 mW. At a 980 nm pump power of 42.3 mW, the EDFL generates an optical pulse train with a repetition rate of 44.72 kHz and pulse width of 9.8 μs. The maximum pulse energy of 81.5 nJ is obtained at a pump power of 35.2 mW. A higher performance Q-switched EDFL is expected to be achieved with the optimization of the saturable absorber and laser cavity