Objective:Validation is an important aspect of an instrument,and it ensures the confidence of researchers to employ the instrument in their studies.This study was conducted to develop and validate an instrument to ass...Objective:Validation is an important aspect of an instrument,and it ensures the confidence of researchers to employ the instrument in their studies.This study was conducted to develop and validate an instrument to assess knowledge,attitudes,and practices(KAP) on digital health among nurses since digital health capacity is a major concern in health care that needs to be assessed.Methods:We conducted a methodological study to assess the content validity and reliability of the instrument.First,items were generated through a comprehensive literature review and by obtaining an expert opinion.Second,content and face validity were assessed by a panel of 7 experts.Both the item-level content validity index(I-CVI) and the scale-level content validity index(S-CVI) were established.Moreover,test–retest reliability and internal consistency of the instrument were assessed.Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.Results:The initial pool consisted of 60 items and after obtaining content,face,and construct validity,51 items remained.Items with an I-CVI <0.78 were considered relevant.The S-CVI for relevancy,clarity,ambiguity,and simplicity were 0.93,0.91,0.94,and 0.92,respectively.Five subcomponents were constructed in each knowledge and attitudes domain,and the test–retest reliability test revealed that the instrument has good reliability,showing correlation coefficient values for the KAP domains and the total questionnaire of 0.76,0.98,0.99,and 0.99,respectively.The independent Cronbach's α for all items was 0.76,indicating good internal consistency.Conclusions:The present study established the acceptable validity and ensured the good reliability and internal consistency of the instrument,which can serve as an assessment tool of KAP on digital health among healthcare professionals.展开更多
Background:Clostridium perfringens-induced chicken necrotic enteritis(NE)is responsible for substantial economic losses worldwide annually.Recently,as a result of antibiotic growth promoter prohibition,the prevalence ...Background:Clostridium perfringens-induced chicken necrotic enteritis(NE)is responsible for substantial economic losses worldwide annually.Recently,as a result of antibiotic growth promoter prohibition,the prevalence of NE in chickens has reemerged.This study was aimed to reduce NE through titrating dietary deoxycholic acid(DCA)as an effective antimicrobial alternative.Materials and methods:Day-old broiler chicks were assigned to six groups and fed diets supplemented with 0(basal diet),0.8,1.0 and 1.5 g/kg(on top of basal diet)DCA.The birds were challenged with Eimeria maxima(20,000 oocysts/bird)at d 18 and C.perfringens(109 CFU/bird per day)at d 23,24,and 25 to induce NE.The birds were sacrificed at d 26 when ileal tissue and digesta were collected for analyzing histopathology,mRNA accumulation and C.perfringens colonization by real-time PCR,targeted metabolomics of bile acids,fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH),or terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)assay.Results:At the cellular level,birds infected with E.maxima and C.perfringens developed subclinical NE and showed shortening villi,crypt hyperplasia and immune cell infiltration in ileum.Dietary DCA alleviated the NE-induced ileal inflammation in a dose-dependent manner compared to NE control birds.Consistent with the increased histopathological scores,subclinical NE birds suffered body weight gain reduction compared to the uninfected birds,an effect attenuated with increased doses of dietary DCA.At the molecular level,the highest dose of DCA at 1.5 g/kg reduced C.perfringens luminal colonization compared to NE birds using PCR and FISH.Furthermore,the dietary DCA reduced subclinical NE-induced intestinal inflammatory gene expression and cell apoptosis using PCR and TUNEL assays.Upon further examining ileal bile acid pool through targeted metabolomics,subclinical NE reduced the total bile acid level in ileal digesta compared to uninfected birds.Notably,dietary DCA increased total bile acid and DCA levels in a dose-dependent ma展开更多
BACKGROUND In recent years,associations between specific virulence markers of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)and gastrointestinal disorders have been suggested.AIM To investigate the presence of virulence factors includ...BACKGROUND In recent years,associations between specific virulence markers of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)and gastrointestinal disorders have been suggested.AIM To investigate the presence of virulence factors including vacuolating cytotoxin A genotypes(s1m1,s1m2,s2m1,and s2m2),cytotoxin-associated gene A(CagA),and urease activity in H.pylori strains isolated from Arab and Jewish populations in northern Israel and to assess associations between these factors and patients’demographics and clinical outcomes.METHODS Patients(n=108)who underwent gastroscopy at the Baruch Padeh Medical Center,Poriya due to symptomatic gastroduodenal pathologies as part of H.pylori diagnosis were enrolled in the study.Gastric biopsy specimens were collected from the antrum of the stomach.Clinical condition was assessed by clinical pathology tests.Bacteria were isolated on modified BD Helicobacter Agar(BD Diagnostics,Sparks,MD,United States).Bacterial DNA was extracted,and PCR was performed to detect CagA and vacuolating cytotoxin A genes.Urease activity was assessed using a rapid urease test.RESULTS A significant correlation was found between disease severity and patient ethnicity(P=0.002).A significant correlation was found between CagA presence and the s1m1 genotype(P=0.02),which is considered the most virulent genotype.Further,a higher level of urease activity was associated with isolates originating from the Jewish population.Moreover,higher urease activity levels were measured among CagA-/s1m1 and CagA-/s2m2 isolates.CONCLUSION Our study highlights the importance of incorporating molecular methods for detection of virulence markers of H.pylori in order to tailor optimal treatments for each patient.Further investigation should be performed regarding associations between H.pylori virulence factors and ethnicity.展开更多
Mixing index is an important parameter to understand and assess the mixing state in various mixers including ribbon mixers,the typical food processing devices.Many mixing indices based on either sample variance method...Mixing index is an important parameter to understand and assess the mixing state in various mixers including ribbon mixers,the typical food processing devices.Many mixing indices based on either sample variance methods or non-sample variance methods have been proposed and used in the past,however,they were not well compared in the literature to evaluate their accuracy of assessing the final mixing state.In this study,discrete element method(DEM)modelling is used to investigate and compare the accuracy of these mixing indices for mixing of uniform particles in a horizontal cylindrical ribbon mixer.The sample variance methods for mixing indices are first compared both at particle-and macro-scale levels.In addition,non-sample variance methods,namely entropy and non-sampling indices are compared against the results from the sample variance methods.The simulation results indicate that,among the indices considered in this study,Lacey index shows the most accurate results.The Lacey index is regarded to be the most suitable mixing index to evaluate the steady-state mixing state of the ribbon mixer in the real-time(or without stopping the impeller)at both the particle-and macro-scale levels.The study is useful for the selection of a proper mixing index for a specific mixture in a given mixer.展开更多
Conventional, grid-based sampling location tracking approach with GPS or topographic maps is time-consuming and inconvenient. Therefore, this study combined the freely available virtual/digital globe with recent advan...Conventional, grid-based sampling location tracking approach with GPS or topographic maps is time-consuming and inconvenient. Therefore, this study combined the freely available virtual/digital globe with recent advancements of smartphone geo-browsers to develop a new sampling location tracking approach. The sampling frame was developed with pre-uploaded point map formulated in GIS environment by combining land-use map and one-kilometer grid with center coordinates. The sampling location grid was uploaded to smartphone and each point was tracked with Google Map path finder using point ID (coded grid coordinate) when searching each sampling location. The suitability of the new approach was tested for soil sample collection from paddy lands distributed in 0.9 million hectares in Sri Lanka. The sampling locations could be reached conveniently with the help of Google path-finder voice direction guide and optional routes. The efficiency of new approach was found to be remarkably high, <em>i.e</em>., over 99% of the 9000 sampling points, which were spread across Sri Lanka having an area of 65,610 km<sup>2</sup>. All sampling points in the country could be covered with twelve member field investigation crew who were guided through smartphones uploaded with sampling point grid on six motorbikes within 60 days. The new sampling location tracking approach is effective in terms of cost, time, human resource requirements, thus can be adopted in large-scale soil/plant sampling frames with high accuracy.展开更多
Internal audit in Malaysian public and private sector organizations underwent a steady organic growth since gaining a foothold in the management process in the 1970s. The management of the Malaysian public sector is c...Internal audit in Malaysian public and private sector organizations underwent a steady organic growth since gaining a foothold in the management process in the 1970s. The management of the Malaysian public sector is continuously maturing in facilitating foreign input in national development, echoing similar advances expounded by the internal audit units of private sector organizations. The main difference being the public sector addresses the interest of a much wider group of stakeholders. Rapid development in infrastructures and industries positioned Malaysia on the fringes of globalization and the world market. This enlarges the crucial role of internal auditing to ensure transparency, integrity, quality and improved service delivery; among myriad positive aims, remain the end point of any process area. This study explored the significance of internal auditing in the Malaysian public sector, and its subsequent extent and influence in public sector hierarchy and decision making. Data was collected from responses to a questionnaire distributed to head of internal auditors, internal auditors and other staff of internal audit departments from various categories of public sector departments and agencies in Malaysia. The study concluded that the internal audit function in the public sector in Malaysia is curtailed by understaffing and hampered by inadequate support from top management while, the auditors seldom extend their full cooperation. The auditors themselves lack appropriate knowledge and training on effective auditing approaches. The negative perception accorded to internal audit led to inaction by management on recommended remedies which only serve to nullify the positive contribution internal audit potentially holds to elevate the service delivery quality of the public sector.展开更多
A rare case of bilateral scleromalacia perforans, bilateral peripheral corneal thinning (contact lens cornea) and unilateral orbital inflammatory disease in a 50 year old female patient with an indolent form Wegener&#...A rare case of bilateral scleromalacia perforans, bilateral peripheral corneal thinning (contact lens cornea) and unilateral orbital inflammatory disease in a 50 year old female patient with an indolent form Wegener's granulomatosis(WG) involving lungs and sinuses is reported. The patient survived for 12 years after the initial diagnosis of systemic disease. There was perforation of left globe following trauma and no perforation of the right globe till the last follow up of the patient.展开更多
Introduction: Good glycaemic control without causing excessive hypoglycaemia reduced the risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications in type 2 DM patients on regular haemodialysis (HD). The objectives of thi...Introduction: Good glycaemic control without causing excessive hypoglycaemia reduced the risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications in type 2 DM patients on regular haemodialysis (HD). The objectives of this study were to assess the efficacy and safety of add-on saxagliptin to insulin therapy in blood sugar control compared to insulin therapy alone in diabetic patients undergoing HD. Design and Methods: In this prospective open-labelled randomized controlled trial, HD patients with type 2 DM and on stable insulin therapy with HbA1c 7% - 13% were randomized to receive add-on saxagliptin 2.5 mg once daily to insulin therapy or insulin therapy only for 12 weeks. Results: 24 patients were randomized into each arm equally. Baseline and week-12 serum HbA1c, fructosamine, fasting blood glucose (FBS) and mean self monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) were comparable in the groups. Reduction of HbA1c and mean SMBG were significant in both groups. There was a significant drop in fructosamine levels (p = 0.004) and trend of lower FBS (p = 0.097) in add-on saxagliptin group but not in insulin alone group. The incidence of hypoglycaemia was the same in both groups. Conclusion: Add-on saxagliptin to insulin is comparable to insulin therapy alone in blood sugar control in regular HD patients and is safe and generally well tolerated. Add-on saxagliptin group may have more persistent and less fluctuation of glucose control compared to insulin only group.展开更多
The textile and clothing industry has become very competitive in the world over. There are many players in the industry. The most prominent player is China. Recent statistics reveal that China continue to be the world...The textile and clothing industry has become very competitive in the world over. There are many players in the industry. The most prominent player is China. Recent statistics reveal that China continue to be the world’s largest textile and clothing producer in 2016 (Textiles outlook, 2017). China’s major export markets are EU, USA and Japan. However, rising labour costs and production costs of China will shift production to lower cost suppliers. This will give South Asia and South-East Asia an opportunity to capitalize in their exports. The question is, can these regions in Asia take this challenge? To overcome the challenges, they must be ready with highly skilled manpower. The Tertiary and Vocational Educational Training system across Asian region must be geared to take this challenge of training the new recruits. Can these countries have adequate numbers of skilled, effective and experienced trainers to train the new recruits? Qualified trainers may be in short supply. Then, how quickly can these trainers be made available for training? Half-baked trainers would turn half-baked workers that will not give right condition to meet the future challenges. A recent study by the author has revealed that there are not enough qualified trainers to impart knowledge and skill for those in the textile and clothing industry in Sri Lanka. This can be the case across Asia. It is time that responsible professionals in the training industry should consider about trainers if they are to launch a massive skilling project to meet requirements of the textile/clothing industry. Skilling the trainers must be a priority. It will be interesting to note that there is a mismatch between trainees and training courses. Also, students are not attracted to training courses. So, there is a concern about who should be trained and are they available?展开更多
Objective: To investigate the antiviral property of a lead ligand, YK51 that was synthesized based on the flavanoid of a natural product toward dengue virus type-2(DENV2)replication.Methods: c RNA was isolated from He...Objective: To investigate the antiviral property of a lead ligand, YK51 that was synthesized based on the flavanoid of a natural product toward dengue virus type-2(DENV2)replication.Methods: c RNA was isolated from HepG2 cells inoculated with 1 000 median tissue culture infective dose of DENV2 and treated with different doses of the ligand followed by RT-PCR to quantify the virus gene copies. Confocal microscopy of actin and tubulin redistribution was also performed.Results: The quantitative RT-PCR result showed reduction of the DENV2 gene copies as the ligand concentration was increased. The confocal microscopy result showed increase in the tubulin intensity(79.6%) of infected BHK21 cells treated with the ligand,compared with the non-treated cells(54.8%). The 1.5-fold increase in the intensity of tubulin suggested that the ligand inhibitory effect stabilized the cellular microtubule structure.Conclusions: The synthesized ligand YK51 reduced DENV2 viral load by inhibiting virus replication thus is highly potential to be developed as antiviral agent.展开更多
Malaysia aspires to become developed and high income nation by year 2020. Under the Tenth Malaysia Plan, herbal industry was the first Entry Point Project for Agricultural National Key Economic Area in Economic Transf...Malaysia aspires to become developed and high income nation by year 2020. Under the Tenth Malaysia Plan, herbal industry was the first Entry Point Project for Agricultural National Key Economic Area in Economic Transformation Programme. To understand the current status of the herbal industry, FRIM (Forest Research Institute Malaysia) conducted the survey on 6,923 herbal chain players, consisted from upstream to downstream activities. A face-to-face interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire to gather the information. This paper highlighted the relationship between concentration of the herbal industry and urbanization’s status of the areas. The finding shows that a statistically significant difference exists between category of herbal activities and status of the areas. The upstream activities are more concentrated in rural areas, while most of downstream activities in urban areas. It is in line with central place of theory on how settlements and places are located in relation to one another and their functions. Therefore, to further develop the herbal industry, the government should consider strategic location by category of industrial activities in policies planning, programmes implementation and providing infrastructural support needed by the industry.展开更多
A new method of experimental infection of ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPPV), aerosol nebulization (Nb), was compared to intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) methods of experimental infection. Seven month old lambs we...A new method of experimental infection of ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPPV), aerosol nebulization (Nb), was compared to intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) methods of experimental infection. Seven month old lambs were given 3.5 × 107 TCID50 of Dubois OPPV LMH19 isolate using IV, PO, or Nb methods and were monitored for infection using cELISA and OPPV quantitative (q) PCR for 35 weeks. Four out of four sheep in the IV group, six out of six sheep in the Nb group, but only two out of six sheep in the PO group became infected by OPPV;whereas the uninoculated controls (n = 2) and a sentinel control (n = 1) remained uninfected during the course of the study. The time to a cELISA or OPPV qPCR positive result in the Nb group was quicker and statistically different from the time to a cELISA or OPPV qPCR positive result in the PO group (cELISA P value = 0.0021 and OPPV qPCR P value = 0.0007). When the Nb and IV groups were compared, sheep became cELISA and OPPV qPCR positive at similar times (cELISA P value = 0.6 and OPPV qPCR P value = 0.1). In addition, sheep became OPPV qPCR positive prior to cELISA in both the IV and Nb groups (IV P value = 0.027 and Nb P value = 0.007). Aerosol nebulization is a more natural experimental method of transmitting OPPV and may be valuable for testing potential vaccines or specific host genetics.展开更多
The Malaysian government＇s vision to be a developed nation by 2020 has pushed forward the use of innovative technologies in most sectors and industries, including the construction industry. Through the ETP （Economic...The Malaysian government＇s vision to be a developed nation by 2020 has pushed forward the use of innovative technologies in most sectors and industries, including the construction industry. Through the ETP （Economic Transformation Programme）, major projects launched are expected to provide a great catalyst for the economy, and may become the platform for increasing the use of automation and highly enhanced plants and machineries in the construction industry. Innovations in most countries are mostly driven by the need to find revolutionary solutions to problems, such as a shortage of skilled labor, decreasing quality of product and processes, inferior working conditions, declining productivity and increasing costs of labor and materials. Automation and robotics technologies encompass a wide range of innovative technologies using technologically advanced machineries to improve the speed and efficiency of a given process. This paper discusses the readiness of a developing country in embracing construction automation and robotics, by exploring industry perception, suggested practices and barriers to its implementation using a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews directed at Malaysian construction finns of contractors, specialist sub-contractors, developers and consultants. The findings show that the Malaysian construction industry is ready, to a certain extent, for implementing the technologies in limited areas such as prefabrication and assembly and in the design, planning and costing phases.展开更多
基金supported by the University of Sri Jayewardenepura(No. ASP/01/RE/AHS/2021/91)。
文摘Objective:Validation is an important aspect of an instrument,and it ensures the confidence of researchers to employ the instrument in their studies.This study was conducted to develop and validate an instrument to assess knowledge,attitudes,and practices(KAP) on digital health among nurses since digital health capacity is a major concern in health care that needs to be assessed.Methods:We conducted a methodological study to assess the content validity and reliability of the instrument.First,items were generated through a comprehensive literature review and by obtaining an expert opinion.Second,content and face validity were assessed by a panel of 7 experts.Both the item-level content validity index(I-CVI) and the scale-level content validity index(S-CVI) were established.Moreover,test–retest reliability and internal consistency of the instrument were assessed.Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.Results:The initial pool consisted of 60 items and after obtaining content,face,and construct validity,51 items remained.Items with an I-CVI <0.78 were considered relevant.The S-CVI for relevancy,clarity,ambiguity,and simplicity were 0.93,0.91,0.94,and 0.92,respectively.Five subcomponents were constructed in each knowledge and attitudes domain,and the test–retest reliability test revealed that the instrument has good reliability,showing correlation coefficient values for the KAP domains and the total questionnaire of 0.76,0.98,0.99,and 0.99,respectively.The independent Cronbach's α for all items was 0.76,indicating good internal consistency.Conclusions:The present study established the acceptable validity and ensured the good reliability and internal consistency of the instrument,which can serve as an assessment tool of KAP on digital health among healthcare professionals.
基金This research was supported grants of Arkansas Biosciences Institute,USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture(NIFA)Hatch project 1012366USDA NIFA Hatch/Multi State project 1018699,USDA NIFA project 2018–06686 to X.
文摘Background:Clostridium perfringens-induced chicken necrotic enteritis(NE)is responsible for substantial economic losses worldwide annually.Recently,as a result of antibiotic growth promoter prohibition,the prevalence of NE in chickens has reemerged.This study was aimed to reduce NE through titrating dietary deoxycholic acid(DCA)as an effective antimicrobial alternative.Materials and methods:Day-old broiler chicks were assigned to six groups and fed diets supplemented with 0(basal diet),0.8,1.0 and 1.5 g/kg(on top of basal diet)DCA.The birds were challenged with Eimeria maxima(20,000 oocysts/bird)at d 18 and C.perfringens(109 CFU/bird per day)at d 23,24,and 25 to induce NE.The birds were sacrificed at d 26 when ileal tissue and digesta were collected for analyzing histopathology,mRNA accumulation and C.perfringens colonization by real-time PCR,targeted metabolomics of bile acids,fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH),or terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)assay.Results:At the cellular level,birds infected with E.maxima and C.perfringens developed subclinical NE and showed shortening villi,crypt hyperplasia and immune cell infiltration in ileum.Dietary DCA alleviated the NE-induced ileal inflammation in a dose-dependent manner compared to NE control birds.Consistent with the increased histopathological scores,subclinical NE birds suffered body weight gain reduction compared to the uninfected birds,an effect attenuated with increased doses of dietary DCA.At the molecular level,the highest dose of DCA at 1.5 g/kg reduced C.perfringens luminal colonization compared to NE birds using PCR and FISH.Furthermore,the dietary DCA reduced subclinical NE-induced intestinal inflammatory gene expression and cell apoptosis using PCR and TUNEL assays.Upon further examining ileal bile acid pool through targeted metabolomics,subclinical NE reduced the total bile acid level in ileal digesta compared to uninfected birds.Notably,dietary DCA increased total bile acid and DCA levels in a dose-dependent ma
基金The study was reviewed and approved by the Helsinki Committee of the Baruch Padeh Medical Center,Poriya(Approval No.POR 0007-20).
文摘BACKGROUND In recent years,associations between specific virulence markers of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)and gastrointestinal disorders have been suggested.AIM To investigate the presence of virulence factors including vacuolating cytotoxin A genotypes(s1m1,s1m2,s2m1,and s2m2),cytotoxin-associated gene A(CagA),and urease activity in H.pylori strains isolated from Arab and Jewish populations in northern Israel and to assess associations between these factors and patients’demographics and clinical outcomes.METHODS Patients(n=108)who underwent gastroscopy at the Baruch Padeh Medical Center,Poriya due to symptomatic gastroduodenal pathologies as part of H.pylori diagnosis were enrolled in the study.Gastric biopsy specimens were collected from the antrum of the stomach.Clinical condition was assessed by clinical pathology tests.Bacteria were isolated on modified BD Helicobacter Agar(BD Diagnostics,Sparks,MD,United States).Bacterial DNA was extracted,and PCR was performed to detect CagA and vacuolating cytotoxin A genes.Urease activity was assessed using a rapid urease test.RESULTS A significant correlation was found between disease severity and patient ethnicity(P=0.002).A significant correlation was found between CagA presence and the s1m1 genotype(P=0.02),which is considered the most virulent genotype.Further,a higher level of urease activity was associated with isolates originating from the Jewish population.Moreover,higher urease activity levels were measured among CagA-/s1m1 and CagA-/s2m2 isolates.CONCLUSION Our study highlights the importance of incorporating molecular methods for detection of virulence markers of H.pylori in order to tailor optimal treatments for each patient.Further investigation should be performed regarding associations between H.pylori virulence factors and ethnicity.
基金This work is financially supported by the Australian Research Council(DP180101232).
文摘Mixing index is an important parameter to understand and assess the mixing state in various mixers including ribbon mixers,the typical food processing devices.Many mixing indices based on either sample variance methods or non-sample variance methods have been proposed and used in the past,however,they were not well compared in the literature to evaluate their accuracy of assessing the final mixing state.In this study,discrete element method(DEM)modelling is used to investigate and compare the accuracy of these mixing indices for mixing of uniform particles in a horizontal cylindrical ribbon mixer.The sample variance methods for mixing indices are first compared both at particle-and macro-scale levels.In addition,non-sample variance methods,namely entropy and non-sampling indices are compared against the results from the sample variance methods.The simulation results indicate that,among the indices considered in this study,Lacey index shows the most accurate results.The Lacey index is regarded to be the most suitable mixing index to evaluate the steady-state mixing state of the ribbon mixer in the real-time(or without stopping the impeller)at both the particle-and macro-scale levels.The study is useful for the selection of a proper mixing index for a specific mixture in a given mixer.
文摘Conventional, grid-based sampling location tracking approach with GPS or topographic maps is time-consuming and inconvenient. Therefore, this study combined the freely available virtual/digital globe with recent advancements of smartphone geo-browsers to develop a new sampling location tracking approach. The sampling frame was developed with pre-uploaded point map formulated in GIS environment by combining land-use map and one-kilometer grid with center coordinates. The sampling location grid was uploaded to smartphone and each point was tracked with Google Map path finder using point ID (coded grid coordinate) when searching each sampling location. The suitability of the new approach was tested for soil sample collection from paddy lands distributed in 0.9 million hectares in Sri Lanka. The sampling locations could be reached conveniently with the help of Google path-finder voice direction guide and optional routes. The efficiency of new approach was found to be remarkably high, <em>i.e</em>., over 99% of the 9000 sampling points, which were spread across Sri Lanka having an area of 65,610 km<sup>2</sup>. All sampling points in the country could be covered with twelve member field investigation crew who were guided through smartphones uploaded with sampling point grid on six motorbikes within 60 days. The new sampling location tracking approach is effective in terms of cost, time, human resource requirements, thus can be adopted in large-scale soil/plant sampling frames with high accuracy.
文摘Internal audit in Malaysian public and private sector organizations underwent a steady organic growth since gaining a foothold in the management process in the 1970s. The management of the Malaysian public sector is continuously maturing in facilitating foreign input in national development, echoing similar advances expounded by the internal audit units of private sector organizations. The main difference being the public sector addresses the interest of a much wider group of stakeholders. Rapid development in infrastructures and industries positioned Malaysia on the fringes of globalization and the world market. This enlarges the crucial role of internal auditing to ensure transparency, integrity, quality and improved service delivery; among myriad positive aims, remain the end point of any process area. This study explored the significance of internal auditing in the Malaysian public sector, and its subsequent extent and influence in public sector hierarchy and decision making. Data was collected from responses to a questionnaire distributed to head of internal auditors, internal auditors and other staff of internal audit departments from various categories of public sector departments and agencies in Malaysia. The study concluded that the internal audit function in the public sector in Malaysia is curtailed by understaffing and hampered by inadequate support from top management while, the auditors seldom extend their full cooperation. The auditors themselves lack appropriate knowledge and training on effective auditing approaches. The negative perception accorded to internal audit led to inaction by management on recommended remedies which only serve to nullify the positive contribution internal audit potentially holds to elevate the service delivery quality of the public sector.
文摘A rare case of bilateral scleromalacia perforans, bilateral peripheral corneal thinning (contact lens cornea) and unilateral orbital inflammatory disease in a 50 year old female patient with an indolent form Wegener's granulomatosis(WG) involving lungs and sinuses is reported. The patient survived for 12 years after the initial diagnosis of systemic disease. There was perforation of left globe following trauma and no perforation of the right globe till the last follow up of the patient.
文摘Introduction: Good glycaemic control without causing excessive hypoglycaemia reduced the risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications in type 2 DM patients on regular haemodialysis (HD). The objectives of this study were to assess the efficacy and safety of add-on saxagliptin to insulin therapy in blood sugar control compared to insulin therapy alone in diabetic patients undergoing HD. Design and Methods: In this prospective open-labelled randomized controlled trial, HD patients with type 2 DM and on stable insulin therapy with HbA1c 7% - 13% were randomized to receive add-on saxagliptin 2.5 mg once daily to insulin therapy or insulin therapy only for 12 weeks. Results: 24 patients were randomized into each arm equally. Baseline and week-12 serum HbA1c, fructosamine, fasting blood glucose (FBS) and mean self monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) were comparable in the groups. Reduction of HbA1c and mean SMBG were significant in both groups. There was a significant drop in fructosamine levels (p = 0.004) and trend of lower FBS (p = 0.097) in add-on saxagliptin group but not in insulin alone group. The incidence of hypoglycaemia was the same in both groups. Conclusion: Add-on saxagliptin to insulin is comparable to insulin therapy alone in blood sugar control in regular HD patients and is safe and generally well tolerated. Add-on saxagliptin group may have more persistent and less fluctuation of glucose control compared to insulin only group.
文摘The textile and clothing industry has become very competitive in the world over. There are many players in the industry. The most prominent player is China. Recent statistics reveal that China continue to be the world’s largest textile and clothing producer in 2016 (Textiles outlook, 2017). China’s major export markets are EU, USA and Japan. However, rising labour costs and production costs of China will shift production to lower cost suppliers. This will give South Asia and South-East Asia an opportunity to capitalize in their exports. The question is, can these regions in Asia take this challenge? To overcome the challenges, they must be ready with highly skilled manpower. The Tertiary and Vocational Educational Training system across Asian region must be geared to take this challenge of training the new recruits. Can these countries have adequate numbers of skilled, effective and experienced trainers to train the new recruits? Qualified trainers may be in short supply. Then, how quickly can these trainers be made available for training? Half-baked trainers would turn half-baked workers that will not give right condition to meet the future challenges. A recent study by the author has revealed that there are not enough qualified trainers to impart knowledge and skill for those in the textile and clothing industry in Sri Lanka. This can be the case across Asia. It is time that responsible professionals in the training industry should consider about trainers if they are to launch a massive skilling project to meet requirements of the textile/clothing industry. Skilling the trainers must be a priority. It will be interesting to note that there is a mismatch between trainees and training courses. Also, students are not attracted to training courses. So, there is a concern about who should be trained and are they available?
基金Supported by Science Fund from the Ministry of Science,Technology and Innovation Malaysia and Research Acculturation Grants of Universiti Teknologi MARA(UiTM)[RAGS/2012/Ui TM/ST04/1],Malaysia
文摘Objective: To investigate the antiviral property of a lead ligand, YK51 that was synthesized based on the flavanoid of a natural product toward dengue virus type-2(DENV2)replication.Methods: c RNA was isolated from HepG2 cells inoculated with 1 000 median tissue culture infective dose of DENV2 and treated with different doses of the ligand followed by RT-PCR to quantify the virus gene copies. Confocal microscopy of actin and tubulin redistribution was also performed.Results: The quantitative RT-PCR result showed reduction of the DENV2 gene copies as the ligand concentration was increased. The confocal microscopy result showed increase in the tubulin intensity(79.6%) of infected BHK21 cells treated with the ligand,compared with the non-treated cells(54.8%). The 1.5-fold increase in the intensity of tubulin suggested that the ligand inhibitory effect stabilized the cellular microtubule structure.Conclusions: The synthesized ligand YK51 reduced DENV2 viral load by inhibiting virus replication thus is highly potential to be developed as antiviral agent.
文摘Malaysia aspires to become developed and high income nation by year 2020. Under the Tenth Malaysia Plan, herbal industry was the first Entry Point Project for Agricultural National Key Economic Area in Economic Transformation Programme. To understand the current status of the herbal industry, FRIM (Forest Research Institute Malaysia) conducted the survey on 6,923 herbal chain players, consisted from upstream to downstream activities. A face-to-face interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire to gather the information. This paper highlighted the relationship between concentration of the herbal industry and urbanization’s status of the areas. The finding shows that a statistically significant difference exists between category of herbal activities and status of the areas. The upstream activities are more concentrated in rural areas, while most of downstream activities in urban areas. It is in line with central place of theory on how settlements and places are located in relation to one another and their functions. Therefore, to further develop the herbal industry, the government should consider strategic location by category of industrial activities in policies planning, programmes implementation and providing infrastructural support needed by the industry.
文摘A new method of experimental infection of ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPPV), aerosol nebulization (Nb), was compared to intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) methods of experimental infection. Seven month old lambs were given 3.5 × 107 TCID50 of Dubois OPPV LMH19 isolate using IV, PO, or Nb methods and were monitored for infection using cELISA and OPPV quantitative (q) PCR for 35 weeks. Four out of four sheep in the IV group, six out of six sheep in the Nb group, but only two out of six sheep in the PO group became infected by OPPV;whereas the uninoculated controls (n = 2) and a sentinel control (n = 1) remained uninfected during the course of the study. The time to a cELISA or OPPV qPCR positive result in the Nb group was quicker and statistically different from the time to a cELISA or OPPV qPCR positive result in the PO group (cELISA P value = 0.0021 and OPPV qPCR P value = 0.0007). When the Nb and IV groups were compared, sheep became cELISA and OPPV qPCR positive at similar times (cELISA P value = 0.6 and OPPV qPCR P value = 0.1). In addition, sheep became OPPV qPCR positive prior to cELISA in both the IV and Nb groups (IV P value = 0.027 and Nb P value = 0.007). Aerosol nebulization is a more natural experimental method of transmitting OPPV and may be valuable for testing potential vaccines or specific host genetics.
文摘The Malaysian government＇s vision to be a developed nation by 2020 has pushed forward the use of innovative technologies in most sectors and industries, including the construction industry. Through the ETP （Economic Transformation Programme）, major projects launched are expected to provide a great catalyst for the economy, and may become the platform for increasing the use of automation and highly enhanced plants and machineries in the construction industry. Innovations in most countries are mostly driven by the need to find revolutionary solutions to problems, such as a shortage of skilled labor, decreasing quality of product and processes, inferior working conditions, declining productivity and increasing costs of labor and materials. Automation and robotics technologies encompass a wide range of innovative technologies using technologically advanced machineries to improve the speed and efficiency of a given process. This paper discusses the readiness of a developing country in embracing construction automation and robotics, by exploring industry perception, suggested practices and barriers to its implementation using a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews directed at Malaysian construction finns of contractors, specialist sub-contractors, developers and consultants. The findings show that the Malaysian construction industry is ready, to a certain extent, for implementing the technologies in limited areas such as prefabrication and assembly and in the design, planning and costing phases.
