The Intention Determinants Of Recycling Behavior Among Malaysians

Penjanaan sisa-sisa buangan di Bumi semakin meningkat akibat pertumbuhan pesat penduduk, kekayaan kewangan pengguna bertambah baik dan pembangunan perindustrian berkembang pesat. Waste generation in the Earth is increasing as consequences of the rapid growth in population, consumers’ financial wealth improved as well as the industrial development

Cytokine Production by a Human Endothelial Cellline in Response to Candida Albicans

Candida albicans is the most common aetiological agent that causes haematogenously disseminated candidiasis. Under conditions that compromise the host immune system, C. albicans disseminates from mucosal sites and results in a progressive disease associated with high rates of mortality. Cytokines are important immunomodulators in coordinating the host defense against C. albicans infection. Human endothelial cells are known to produce various types of cytokines in response to pathogen invasion. The present study was undertaken to identify the cytokines that are involved in the host defense against C. albicans, as well as, to determine the importance of direct cell-to-cell contact in triggering expression of cytokines. In addition, the involvement of Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, TLR4 and nuclear factor-& (NF-KB) in the host defense against C. albicans were also examined. Expression of cytokines by endothelial cells in response to C. albicans was investigated by using an in vitro model of human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (HUVEC) co-cultured with Candida spp. Both conventional and real time PCR showed that among the cytokines studied, only granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was found to be differentially expressed in HUVEC upon stimulation with C. albicans. Elevated levels of GM-CSF were found in the co-culture of HUVEC with C. albicans but not in the other non-albicans Candida spp. Three additional C. albicans strains co-cultured with HUVEC also showed a similar pattern of increased GM-CSF expression, although at different levels from strain to strain. This provided evidence that the induction of GM-CSF was not confined to only a particular clinical strain of C. albicans. On the other hand, C. dubliniensis, which possessed a similar phenotype as C. albicans failed to stimulate a similar pattern of GMCSF expression in HUVEC. The induction of GM-CSF was then found to be contactdependent via the use of cell culture insert to physically separate C. albicans from adhering to the HUVEC monolayer. Pretreatment with anti-TLR2 and anti-TLR4 antibodies showed that TLR4 but not TLR2 was involved in the induction of GM-CSF expression by HUVEC. In addition, pretreatment with SN50 inhibitor also demonstrated that NF-KB may be involved in stimulating expression of GM-CSF transcript. In conclusion, we have discovered that HUVEC is involved in the innate immune response to C. albicans by producing GM-CSF cytokine through the activation of TLR4 and also NF-KB transcription factor in a contact-dependent manner

CHARACTERIZATION OF CRITICAL GAS FLOW RATE TO PREVENT LIQUID LOADING

This report presents the research completed for the Final Year Project entitled ‘Characterization of Critical Gas Flow Rate to Prevent Liquid Loading’. The project is aimed to develop a work flow that predicts critical gas flow rate (minimum required gas flow rate) to prevent liquid loading based on the published literature and to analyse effects of temperature, pressure, conduit size, producing depth and inclination on the critical gas flow rate. Turner et al Model and Guo et al Model are selected to be developed in the work flow. Liquid loading is a very common problem in mature gas wells. Hence, it is required to check for the occurrence of the liquid loading problem. It is hoped that by having this project, a better prediction and hence management of the liquid loading problem can be yielded. Scope of study of the current project includes estimation of presence of liquid loading problem by estimating critical gas flow rate to prevent liquid loading and to conduct sensitivity studies for effects of temperature, pressure, conduit size, producing depth and inclination on critical gas flow rate. Fluid characterization is performed by using the necessary fluid properties inputs based on that stated in the papers. In this report, literature review is conducted on the introduction to critical gas flow rate and available models in predicting critical gas flow rates. Project methodology and activities have been planned and the milestones for this project have been designed. The equations included in the work flow and flow charts of the work flow are also included in the report. This report presents the work flow (spread sheet) with two functions, which are estimating critical gas flow rate and performing sensitivity study. The analyses of the results from both functions are also included in this report. It is found that prediction of critical gas flow rate by the Turner et al Model is lower than that of the Guo et al Model at most of the time. Outcomes of the sensitivity studies demonstrate that critical gas flow rate will be increased if temperature is reduced; pressure is increased; conduit size is increased; producing depth is increased or inclination is reduced. In conclusion, the project has been successfully completed and it is hoped that the work flow can be applied in the industry

The potential advantages and drawbacks of pencil beam scanning proton therapy in the management of paediatric, teenage and young adult malignancies

Pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy is a new radiation modality which is increasingly used for childhood teenage and young adult malignancies due to its ability to minimise dose to surrounding organs, which in turn translates to reduced late toxicity. However, its dosimetry is extremely sensitive to anatomical changes, density changes and motion. Research on its benefits, drawbacks, clinical efficacy and side effects is therefore required for clinical teams to understand the best way and situation to use this modality in the clinic. Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer most commonly arising within the abdomen. Radiotherapy to the primary tumour bed is part of the multimodality management for high risk patients. This collection of work investigates the benefits and detriments of PBS in abdominal neuroblastoma alongside the associated dosimetric impact from uncertainties such as set up variation, gastrointestinal tract density variability and intra-field motion. Methods of managing the uncertainties are also examined. Teenage and young adults are a unique and challenging group of patients with complex psychosocial needs. The efficacy and late effects of PBS in this age group with brain and skull base tumours is detailed with analysis of their employment status during survivorship

SURFACE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY CHARACTERIZATION OF THE LOCAL TWITCH RESPONSE ELECTED BY TRIGGER POINT INJECTION AND SNAPPING PALPATION IN MYOFASCIAL PAIN PATIENTS

Local twitch responses (LTRs) can be elicited by snapping palpation of myofascial trigger points (TrP) or TrP injections. Objective: To characterize the LTR elicited by TrP injection and snapping palpation on surface electromyography (sEMG) in subjects with myofascial pain in 14 female subjects. Methods: Surface EMG electrodes were placed around the TrP and a control site on the trapezius muscle. Then the following protocol was carried out: tension and contraction of the ipsilateral trapezius muscle, baseline resting activity (five minutes), snapping palpation of the TrP and the control sites, TrP injection, and final resting activity (five minutes). The following data were recorded: pain ratings, areas of referred pain, presence of LTR, and sEMG recordings. Results: During the TrP injection, the investigator found LTRs in only 36% of the subjects, while 64% of the subjects reported that they felt the LTR, and the sEMG recorded only one LTR in one subject. Despite the low percentage of LTRs elicited clinically (36%), a large number of subjects (71%) reported more than 50% immediate reduction in pain intensity after the TrP injection. Conclusion: The sEMG is unable to register the LTR elicited by snapping palpation and TrP injection

Physical Environment and Learning through Play: Case Studies in Malaysian Preschools

As acquisition of knowledge includes the role of experience in acquiring knowledge, Learning through Play (LTP) becomes essential for children’s physical, social and cognitive development. LTP has also been identified as one of the teaching and learning approaches in Malaysia’s National Preschool Curriculum Standard (NPCS) to achieve its specified learning and development components. With physical environment capable of providing sensory stimuli and learning opportunities, physical environment aligned with the vision and principles of LTP should equally be given emphasis. This paper examines the physical environment of preschools in an attempt to demonstrate the relationship between LTP practices and a preschool’s physical environment. A case study research was undertaken based on a sampling frame with purposive homogeneous sampling employed to select four privately operated preschools within converted residential houses in Johor Bahru. Findings of qualitative analysis indicated that albeit physical environment of preschools are less supportive of LTP, children used ingenuity to modify and adapt their physical environment in support of their individual play needs. LTP was hindered due to lack of children’s own free will and accessibility to materials and equipment as well as constrained independent mobility and allowable play with restrictions imposed due to safety concern and time factor. Finally, conclusions are presented and suggestions for possible future direction are discussed

THE APPLICATION OF SMARTWATCH IN MANAGING EMPLOYEE HEALTH MONITORING

ABSTRACTWorkplace health issues have continued to increase, and this has caused problems such as increasing medical cost and medical leaves. In response to these issues, employers are starting to adopt health technology to overcome the problem such as smartwatch. Smartwatch technology is a wrist-worn device provided with a variety of sensors that are available for collecting physical activity and location data in real time. This paper aims to explore the future drivers of the smartwatch application in monitoring and managing employees’ health. The research study used exploratory research design utilizing the foresight methods. STEEPV analysis was used to identify the key drivers of smartwatch application and to develop a descriptive survey for assessing the impact and uncertainty of each driver. The survey was distributed to human resources managers of medium-sized companies in Malaysia. Technology readiness of smart watch adoption was evaluated using Technology Readiness Index (TRI). Thirty-five respondents took part in online survey. From the data analysis, top two drivers had been identified which are “social interaction” and “data transparency”. These drivers were used for developing future scenario of the smartwatch application in monitoring and managing employee health in the next 5 to 10 years. Four scenarios had been discussed in this paper which are healthy workplace environment, unattainable technology adoption, inefficient technology, and low adoption of smartwatch. This research would provide additional information about the future scenario of smartwatch application in managing employee health monitoring in Malaysia. Keywords: Smartwatch; Employee Health Monitoring; Technological Readines

Co-embedding attributed networks with external knowledge

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Enhanced photovoltaic performance of silver@titania plasmonic photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells

In the present investigation, silver@titania (Ag@TiO2) plasmonic nanocomposite materials with different Ag content were prepared using a simple one-step chemical reduction method and used as a photoanode in high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells. Transmission electron microscopic images revealed the uniform distribution of ultra-small Ag nanoparticles with a particle size range of 2–4 nm on the TiO2 surface. The incorporation of Ag on the TiO2 surface significantly influenced the optical properties in the region of 400–500 nm because of the surface plasmon resonance effect. The dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) assembled with the Ag@TiO2-modified photoanode demonstrated an enhanced solar-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency (4.86%) compared to that of bare TiO2 (2.57%), due to the plasmonic effect of Ag. In addition, the Ag nanoparticles acted as an electron sink, which retarded the charge recombination. The influence of the Ag content on the overall efficiency was also investigated, and the optimum Ag content with TiO2 was found to be 2.5 wt%. The enhanced solar energy conversion efficiency of the Ag@TiO2 nanocomposite makes it a promising alternative to conventional photoanode-based DSSCs