Iodine deficiency disorders among pregnant women in Sarawak, Malaysia

Introduction Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) during pregnancy may impair the neurological development of the fetus. The aim of this study is to determine the iodine status among pregnant women (PW) in Sarawak after introduction of mandatory universal salt iodisation (USI) for seven years. Methods A total of 508 first trimester PW attending government Maternal and Child Health Care clinics in all 11 divisions in Sarawak between 1st April and 15th June 2015 were recruited. Urine samples were obtained and analysed for urinary iodine concentration (UIC) using the modified Sandell-Kolthoff reaction method. For pregnant women, an adequate iodine intake was defined as a median UIC between 150-249 μg/L according to the WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD’s criterion. For further analyses, the 11 divisions were then combined into 3 regions, namely Northern (Miri, Bintulu, Limbang), Central (Kapit, Mukah, Sibu, Sarikei, Betong) and Southern (Kota Samarahan, Kuching, Sri Aman). Results The median UIC of the PW in Sarawak was 105.6 μg/L, indicating iodine deficiency. A total of 330 (65.0%) PW had UIC<150 μg/L. In terms of urinary iodine levels by region, the median UIC in Northern, Central and Southern regions were 136.3 μg/L, 85.5 μg/L and 97.4 μg/L respectively. The differences in median UIC between regions were significant. In addition, the Northern region (p = 0.001), Malay/Melanau ethnicity (p = 0.015) and parous parity (p = 0.014) were significantly associated with higher median UIC. No significant association was found for locality, age nor gravida. Conclusions This study indicates inadequate iodine status among PW in Sarawak despite seven years of mandatory USI. In fact, the majority of PW appear not to be protected against IDD and its consequences. In future, a comprehensive study should be carried out to determine the levels of iodine in salt at the retail outlets, villages and households in Sarawak

Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccination Intention among University Students : A Cross-Sectional Study in Malaysia

Vaccination is crucial in controlling the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that triggered the pandemic, but herd immunity can only work with high vaccination coverage in the population. This study aims to measure the COVID-19 knowledge level and determine the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination intention among university students in Malaysia. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out with 1,274 Malaysian university students in July 2021. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to examine the relationships between the study variables. Results showed that the majority of university students had an acceptable level of knowledge of COVID-19. The knowledge, risk perception of COVID-19, social norms, and perceived benefit of COVID-19 vaccination were positively associated with vaccination intention. However, perceived trust in information sources of COVID-19 vaccination and the government's response to COVID-19 did not affect the university students’ desire to receive the vaccination. These findings are essential for health policymakers and healthcare providers to implement evidence-based interventions to increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake among university students

Riverine sustainment 2012

Student Integrated ProjectIncludes supplementary materialThis technical report analyzed the Navy's proposed Riverine Force (RF) structure and capabilities for 2012. The Riverine Sustainment 2012 Team (RST) examined the cost and performance of systems of systems which increased RF sustainment in logistically barren environments. RF sustainment was decomposed into its functional areas of supply, repair, and force protection. The functional and physical architectures were developed in parallel and were used to construct an operational architecture for the RF. The RST used mathematical, agent-based and queuing models to analyze various supply, repair and force protection system alternatives. Extraction of modeling data revealed several key insights. Waterborne heavy lift connectors such as the LCU-2000 are vital in the re-supply of the RF when it is operating up river in a non-permissive environment. Airborne heavy lift connectors such as the MV-22 were ineffective and dominated by the waterborne variants in the same environment. Increase in manpower and facilities did appreciable add to the operational availability of the RF. Mean supply response time was the biggest factor effecting operational availability and should be kept below 24 hours to maintain operational availability rates above 80%. Current mortar defenses proposed by the RF are insufficient.N

Undiagnosed cardiovascular risk factors including elevated lipoprotein(a) in patients with ischaemic heart disease

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the prevalence of undiagnosed cardiovascular risk factors in patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD).MethodsWe assessed the prevalence of previously undiagnosed cardiovascular risk factors, including elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], among consenting patients with IHD who were admitted to hospital. Clinical information, including dietary history, from patients with newly diagnosed IHD and known IHD were compared.ResultsOf the 555 patients, 82.3% were males and 48.5% of Chinese ethnicity. Overall, 13.3% were newly diagnosed with hypertension, 14.8% with hypercholesterolemia, and 5% with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Patients with newly diagnosed IHD, compared to those with known IHD, had a higher prevalence of new diagnoses of hypercholesterolemia (29.1% vs. 2.0%, p &lt; 0.001), hypertension (24.5% vs. 3.4%, p &lt; 0.001) and T2DM (7.3% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.023). Active smoking was prevalent in 28.3% of patients, and higher in newly diagnosed IHD (34.1% vs. 23.2%, p = 0.005). Elevated Lp(a) of ≥120 nmol/L was detected in 15.6% of all patients, none of whom were previously diagnosed. Dietary habits of &gt;50% of patients in both groups did not meet national recommendations for fruits, vegetables, wholegrain and oily fish intake. However, patients with known IHD had a more regular omega-3 supplement intake (23.4% vs. 10.3%, p = 0.024).ConclusionIncreased detection efforts is necessary to diagnose chronic metabolic diseases (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, T2DM) especially among patients at high risk for IHD. Cardiovascular risk factors, in particular elevated Lp(a), smoking, and suboptimal dietary intake in patients with IHD deserve further attention

Report on industrial attachment with Defence Technology Group: Defence Material Organisation (Armament Systems Division)

This report presents the design, development and implementation procedures of the following two projects: (1) Standalone Flick Rammer System and (2) Anti-Tank Mine Testing Device

Enhancing readability in translating a book on Christian living

There are many factors that can affect the readability of a Christian text. This capstone project attempts to explore translation challenges encountered and strategies adopted in translating an English book on Christian living written by a Singaporean author, with a special emphasis on the readability of the translated text. According to the author of The Virtuous Life- Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit, in an age when character is increasingly in short supply, it is important to think of the virtuous life which we are called to live... This book is therefore written to meet a real need in the church. It helps the reader to explore Paul’s listing of the fruit of the Spirit by first dealing with some central truths and principles. Addressing the lack of research in the genre of Chinese translation of Christian literature, this project explores factors that can affect the readability of a Christian text and systematically carries out the translation with a method and style best suited for this source text. The commentary aimed to provide a good understanding of the expectations and necessary requirements of professional translation in the field of Christian living, focusing on the lexical and syntactical issues encountered. The commentary also covered a section on the translation strategies used for punctuation marks. Theological terminology was identified and a short analysis of the rendering of a key term “God” was undertaken. A suitable style for translating this specific genre was also elaborated in the discussion.Master of Arts (Translation and Interpretation

A study to model human behavior in Discrete Event Simulation (DES) using Simkit

In modern simulation systems, there are two main domains. The first is the Event Driven domain that uses events as the driver in the simulation. Event driven simulations are efficient as they avoid unnecessary time steps and, when carefully designed, can realistically represent real world events. The Time Driven paradigm, the other simulation domain, is favored by agent-based simulations due to the time stepping characteristic suitable for the agent decision cycle. Agent-based simulations such as the multi-agent systems are capable of modeling complex human intelligence and behavior. In this thesis, Discrete Event Multi Agent Simulation (DEMAS) is introduced as a new design concept which provides the mean to have the best of both simulation domains. DEMAS design concept uses event graph methodology and LEGO framework to achieve design simplicity and modularity, allowing multi-agent systems to be added into a discrete event world. To validate the new design concept, three simulations of different complexity levels were developed using Simkit Java package. The validations eventually proved the worthiness of the DEMAS design concept for providing the means to build simulations with benefiting characteristics of both multi-agent systems and discrete event simulations.http://archive.org/details/astudytomodelhum109453046Republic of Singapore Navy author.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Foreign ownership restrictions and share prices in the China capital market.

This paper looks briefly at the development of the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets in the context of China's goal to attract foreign capital to modernise and integrate its economy to the global economy. The analysis of the stock returns revealed that the returns on B shares in Shenzhen generally exhibit little or no correlation with international factors while those in Shanghai do exhibit some correlation. In addition, liquidity as measured by the ratio of the volume of B shares to total volume of A and B shares only explain the returns of Shenzhen B shares. The only factor that explains the returns on both Shanghai and Shenzhen B shares is the effects of firm size. Generally, the results suggest that the Shenzhen B shares have some diversification value while Shanghai B shares are not totally segmented from international factors.Master of Business Administration (Accountancy

An analysis of Singaporeans' investment in China : manufacturing, commerce and real estate industries

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of Singaporeans’ investment in China and the analysis covers investors from manufacturing, commerce and real estate industries. The need to develop the external economy has been a national concern over the past few years and the purpose of our project is to highlight the problems encountered by Singaporean investors in china, the factors hindering Singaporeans’ investment and how to overcome these obstacles. The report also includes an analysis of the performance of Singapore investment in China and outlines measures necessary to encourage Singaporeans to venture into China. The result of this academic research will be to provide feedback to the business community and hopefully to encourage Singaporean investment in China.BUSINES