Exploring Factors Impacting Student Engagement and Performance Towards Work-Based Learning Among Culinary Students

This study explored factors affecting student engagement and performance in Work-Based Learning (WBL) among culinary students at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Cawangan Pulau Pinang Branch, using a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews with six (6) Diploma Culinary Arts students from the 2019 and 2020 WBL programs were analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings revealed crucial factors influencing engagement and performance. Positive aspects included a strong knowledge base, high discipline, effective time management, and proactive behavior. However, significant barriers such as sexual harassment and unfair treatment by supervisors were identified. The study also highlighted the importance of industry involvement and feedback for successful WBL experiences. To improve the WBL program, it is recommended to enhance collaboration with industry partners, systematically gather feedback, and adopt flexible program designs. Addressing these issues could significantly boost learning outcomes, performance, and overall student engagement in the WBL program

Interaction and Development of Breast Cancer Cells with Immune Response Using First Order ODE

Breast cancer arises when cells develop uncontrollably in the breast to form tumour cells. The risk of having breast cancer rises as a woman continues to age. Thus, details about the early stages of cancer progression can help a woman make early treatment choices, preventing them from being diagnosed with these harmful cancers. It is believed that cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) act as effector cells to eradicate cancer cells. CTLs and tumor cells were discovered to be around a "predator-prey" relationship, with CTL acting as the predator along with tumor cells acting as the prey. In this paper, we examined steady-state solutions for two numerical differentiation using the Jacobian matrix. We will also examine the stability region of breast cancer cells in two different phases to describe its progress in different types of the human body at various phases. Also, compare tumour cells population development in the duration of interphase and metaphase in the presence and the absence of immune response, which is dependent on the CTL population, will be observed by applying Fourth Order Runge Kutta (RK4) method. We can see that the Runge-Kutta method is an important method for approximate solutions to ordinary systems with known initial conditions. We achieved populations value of tumour cells throughout interphase and mitosis as well as the population of the immune system using the method. Based on our observations, we draw the conclusion that persons with a higher immune system are more likely to be able to fight cancer for for a period of time than cancer sufferers with a poor immune system. We may observe that the cancer cells were reduced in a shorter period of time with a high immune response population compared to other lower CTL values

Crowd alert board for deterring overcrowding

PROBLEM - New normal & SOP, no physical distancing and long queuing, overcrowding in stores SOLUTION - Limited number of customers in store, set limited time for shopping, allocated time aler

Self-medication of antibiotics: investigating practice among university students at the Malaysian National Defence University

Background: Self-medication of drugs to alleviate symptoms is a common global behavior, helping relieve burdens on health services, but many drugs eg, antibiotics are prescription-only. Self-medication of antibiotics (SMA) is an irrational use of drugs, contributing to microbial resistance increasing health care costs and higher mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to assess SMA among university students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among medical and non-medical students of the National Defence University of Malaysia. A validated instrument was used to gather data. Ethics approval was obtained. Random and universal sampling was adopted, and SPSS 21 was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 649 students participated in the study: 48.5% male and 51.5% female, 39.3% reported self-medicating with antibiotics. Penicillin, doxycycline, clarithromycin were the antibiotics most used with the majority reporting no adverse drug reactions. Cost savings and convenience were the principal reasons for SMA which were mainly obtained from local retail pharmacies. Despite medical students (particularly the more senior) having better knowledge of antibiotic use than non-medical students, 89% of all research participants responded that practicing SMA was a good/acceptable practice. Conclusion: SMA is common amongst Malaysian students and, despite understanding why SMA is unwise, even medical students self-medicate

Assessment of Copper and Zinc Concentrations in Anadara granosa

Due to economic growth and increased human activities, large amounts of metal pollutants have been discharged into the aquatic environment. Anadara granosa, which is a filter feeder cockle species, can act as an indicator to evaluate the presence of metal elements. It is a prominent cockle species and an important protein source in Southeast Asia. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the distributions of metal elements in commercialised Anadara granosa sampled from Jeli wet market, and to assess the safety of consumption using Target Hazard Quotients (THQ). The concentrations of Cu, and Zn in those samples were determined using the acid digestion method, which has been verified with standard reference material. Based on the findings, metal concentrations in Anadara granosa followed the order of; Zn > Cu. The differences in metal accumulation observed in Anadara granosa were probably due to the differences in their environmental conditions. Results from preliminary risk assessments suggest that the risks posed by metals via consumption of Anadara granosa for Cu and Zn were within the tolerable region. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) of, Cu and Zn was < 1, indicating no potential human health risk. However, it is advisable to limit the intake of Anadara granosa to reduce the risk of potential health effects

A cross-sectional study evaluating the knowledge and beliefs about, and the use of antibiotics amongst Malaysian university students

Background: The introduction of antibiotics into modern medicine has changed clinical care by saving millions of lives. However, misuse of antibiotics has led to their benefits being overshadowed by the development of antimicrobial resistance. Aims of Study: This study aimed to assess university students’ knowledge and beliefs about and their use of antibiotics. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 674 medical and non-medical students of the National Defence University of Malaysia, using universal and convenience sampling methods. The data was collected using a validated questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS 24, and the MANOVA test and Logistic Regression were used to explore the associated factors. Results: More than half of the respondents’ knowledge was low and their health beliefs outdated. Age, race and program were significantly associated with up-to-date knowledge and beliefs about antibiotic use, factors associated with finishing a course of antibiotics were studying medicine, personal health, and ethnicity. The significant factors associated with antibiotic self-prescribing were beliefs having been prescribed antibiotics during the last one year, and trusting the doctors who did not prescribe antibiotics. Conclusion: This study has identified a concerning low knowledge about antibiotics amongst some Malaysian university students, reflected in use of un-prescribed antibiotics and a lack of adherence to treatment. There is a need for educational interventions for students regarding antibiotic usage and resistance issues

Nicotine, propylene glycol and tobacco-specific nitrosamines content in selected e-liquids in Malaysia: the case support for initiation of standards or guidelines

Introduction: Electronic Cigarette (EC) usage has been gaining acceptance in Malaysia despite its lack of analytical evidence on the chemical constituents of its liquid formulations. This study aims to evaluate the chemical concentrations of nicotine, propylene glycol (PG) and selected Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs); 4-(methylnitrosa-mino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and N’-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in e-liquids locally sourced from the Malaysian market. Methods: A total of 17 e-liquids from a variety of flavours and brands were purchased from local EC retailers in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Nicotine and PG concentrations were assessed using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) while NNK and NNN were quantified using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The concentrations of nicotine and PG (mg/mL) were described in comparison with the levels indicated on the labels when present while levels of TSNAs were descriptively explained. Results: Nicotine was detected in all e-liquid samples, despite several samples being declared as nicotine-free. The average (standard deviation) level of nicotine, PG, NNN and NNK were 3.26 (1.04) mg/mL, 484.10 (98.24) mg/mL, 0.383(0.288) μg/L and 0.086 (0.057) μg/L, respectively. Labelling discrepancies (when indicated on the label) of nicotine and PG were between the range of 27%-73% and 3%-63%, respectively. Conclusion: The concentrations of nicotine and PG in local e-liquids were varied. There were evidences of labelling discrepancy in that local e-liquids. TSNAs were detected in all samples of e-liquids. This study brought forth strong evidence on the need for the implementation of regulation on e-liquid manufacturing and sales, particularly on the accuracy of labelling and licensing to protect the public health

Assessment of Copper and Zinc Concentrations in

Due to economic growth and increased human activities, large amounts of metal pollutants have been discharged into the aquatic environment. Anadara granosa, which is a filter feeder cockle species, can act as an indicator to evaluate the presence of metal elements. It is a prominent cockle species and an important protein source in Southeast Asia. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the distributions of metal elements in commercialised Anadara granosa sampled from Jeli wet market, and to assess the safety of consumption using Target Hazard Quotients (THQ). The concentrations of Cu, and Zn in those samples were determined using the acid digestion method, which has been verified with standard reference material. Based on the findings, metal concentrations in Anadara granosa followed the order of; Zn > Cu. The differences in metal accumulation observed in Anadara granosa were probably due to the differences in their environmental conditions. Results from preliminary risk assessments suggest that the risks posed by metals via consumption of Anadara granosa for Cu and Zn were within the tolerable region. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) of, Cu and Zn was < 1, indicating no potential human health risk. However, it is advisable to limit the intake of Anadara granosa to reduce the risk of potential health effects

Vaping topography and reasons of use among adults in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Background: Consistency and accuracy of results in assessing health risks due to vaping or e-cigarette use are difficult to achieve without established consumption data. The present report covers baseline data on vaping topography and reasons for use among local users in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Methods: An 80-item survey regarding socio-demographic characteristics, smoking topography and reasons for e-cigarette use was employed to assess e-cigarette users recruited from several public universities and private organisations. The survey questionnaire was self-administered. Data were analysed using statistical software. Results: Eighty-six current e-cigarette users participated with more than half (51.2%) of them aged ≥ 25 years old. Significant proportions of the sample were single (51.2%), had a tertiary education level (63.5%) and a household income of less than USD1000 per month (65.2%). Median duration of e-cigarette use was less than a year; users drew approximately 50 puffs per day and refilled twice a day. The majority (74%) used e-liquids containing nicotine with a concentration of 6 μg/mL. Daily users spent USD18-23 per month. Reasons for using the e-cigarette included enjoyment of the products (85.9%), perception of lower toxicity than tobacco (87%), and the fact that it was a cheaper smoking alternative (61%). Conclusion: The data on e-cigarette smoking topography obtained in this study are novel. The reasons of usage were mainly users' enjoyment of e-cigarettes, preparation for quitting smoking, perception of low toxicity and a healthier smoking substitute and cheapness in the long run. The results establish basic knowledge for the local vaping topography and reference material for future e-cigarette-related research