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Smoking Cessation Rates and Barriers Among Cardiac Patients Following a Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme at a Heart Centre in Malaysia
No full textObjectives: Smoking cessation is crucial for improving cardiovascular health outcomes in a cardiac rehabilitation programme (CRP). Despite its importance, local studies on smoking cessation rates and barriers among cardiac patients following CRP in Malaysia are limited. This study aimed to evaluate smoking cessation rates and identify barriers to smoking cessation among cardiac patients following CRP at Sarawak Heart Centre, Malaysia.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study from August 2021 to July 2022, analysing the medical records of 120 cardiac patients who completed CRP at Sarawak Heart Centre,
Malaysia. Smoking status was recorded at three time points: upon enrolment in CRP, upon CRP completion, and one year post-CRP. Smoking cessation rates were calculated by
measuring the percentage reduction in active smokers from baseline (upon CRP enrolment) to CRP completion and one year post-CRP. To identify barriers to smoking cessation,
reasons for failure to quit smoking were obtained from active smokers at one year post-CRP.
Results: Demographic data showed that 95.8% (n=115) of the patients were male, and 4.2% (n=5) were female. The mean age of the patients was 56.1 years (SD = 10.3 years). Ethnic
distribution included 40.8% (n=49) Malay, 33.3% (n=40) Chinese, 25% (n=30) Indigenous Sarawak, and 0.8% (n=1) Indian. Diagnoses included acute coronary syndrome (85%, n=102), stable angina (10.8%, n=13), and heart failure (4.2%, n=5). At CRP enrolment (baseline), 17.5% (n=21) of patients were active smokers. Upon CRP completion, the smoking cessation rate was 23.8%, with 13.3% (n=16) of patients remaining active smokers. One year post-CRP, the cessation rate improved to 52.4%, with only 8.3% (n=10) of patients remaining active smokers. Barriers to smoking cessation included peer pressure in the working environment (30%, n=3), lack of self-control (30%, n=3), lack of motivation (20%, n=2), and unsuccessful nicotine replacement therapy (20%, n=2).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated an increase in smoking cessation rates from approximately one-quarter upon CRP completion to over half at one year post-CRP. The
identified barriers highlight the need for targeted interventions to further improve smoking cessation outcomes
A New Record of Flathead Lobster Thenus indicus Leach, 1816 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (Malaysia) Based on Morphology and Genetic Identification, with Global Distribution Checklist
No full textMembers of the genus Thenus Leach 1816, commonly known as flathead lobsters, are significant contributors to global slipper lobster fisheries. This study presents the first record of Thenus indicus Leach, 1816 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Scyllaridae) in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, extending its known distribution to East Malaysia.
Prior reports of T. indicus had only been confirmed in Peninsular Malaysia. Species identification was confirmed by mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) sequencing, and morphological examination revealing a lack of spotting on the pereiopods, characteristic setaetion pattern of the second pereiopods, and prominent dentate features of the third maxillipeds. The third pereiopod merus length (ML3) was more than 0.45 times the carapace length (CL), which fulfilled one of the morphometric ratios for identification of this species. Intraspecific p-distances (0.0 – 2.51%, N=10) compared with GenBank reference sequences further validated this finding. A checklist and global map are included to illustrate updated T. indicus distributions. This report enhances the biodiversity and fisheries records of flathead lobsters within Southeast Asia, ensuring better resource management and conservation
efforts
Security-Development Nexus : Exploring the Interplay between Security and Development of Baleh Dam towards the Iban in Sarawak
No full textHydropower development has emerged as a key driver of
sustainable progress in Malaysia, as demonstrated by the
ambitious Baleh Dam project, underscoring the nation's
dedication to renewable energy. This study primarily
focuses on economic security. Therefore, this research
scrutinizes the potential impact on the Iban community
residing in Ulu Baleh, Kapit, from a human security
perspective. The security-development nexus intricately
examines the relationship between dam development and
economic security of the affected community in Nanga
Antawau especially the Iban in Baleh, Kapit. The Iban
community's profound reliance on ancestral lands and
rivers for sustenance and cultural identity renders them
susceptible to displacement and resource loss. Previous
large-scale dam projects have wreaked havoc on local
communities, and the estimated 1,345 square kilometres of
inundated land by the Baleh Dam raises concerns about
human rights and well-being for the Iban. Moreover, this
study underscores the multidimensional nature of the
security concept, encompassing both traditional and non
traditional threats. We will explore in-depth into the
impacts on the Iban community's economic security. By
doing so, this research contributes valuable insights to the
ongoing discourse on security, development, and livelihood
preservation. It emphasizes the imperative for sustainable
progress that upholds the rights and interests of local
communities. The findings of this paper illuminate the
interrelationship between security and development,
revealing that the 1,392-strong Iban community's right to
access a peaceful livelihood and economic security is closely
tied to the Baleh Dam, which has proven to be economically
destructive in Nanga Antawau, Kapit, Sarawak.
Keyboard: Hydropower, Security, Development, Sustainable, Human security, Iban communit
Mitigating the Evidence-Related Factors in Automated Fact- Checking
No full textThe rapid proliferation of digital misinformation highlights the urgent need for robust automated fact-checking systems that can accurately distinguish truth from falsehood. A persistent challenge for these systems is the occurrence of false positives, where truthful information is incorrectly
flagged as misleading due to limitations in evidence assessment, including insufficient evidence, logical inconsistencies, and conflicting information. This research introduces a novel two-phase approach to address these issues. In Phase 1, relationships between claims and evidence are modeled using a graph-based mechanism to identify evidence-related shortcomings that contribute to false positives. Phase 2 enhances evidence quality by
integrating domain-specific knowledge, employing pretrained language models such as BERT, RoBERTa, and BioBERT across diverse datasets like FEVER, LIAR-Plus, HoVER, and PubMed. Our findings demonstrate that addressing these evidence-related factors significantly reduces false positives, resulting in more accurate fact-checking. These results underscore the effectiveness of our enhanced evidence assessment method, providing valuable insights for developing reliable fact-checking systems adaptable
across multiple domains. This research lays a foundation for future innovations in misinformation mitigation, fostering a more trustworthy digital information landscape
Locked Anterior Hip Dislocation with Ipsilateral Greater Trochanteric Fracture and Common Femoral Artery Compression : A Rare Case Report
No full textWe report a rare case of post-traumatic anterior hip dislocation with ipsilateral greater trochanteric fracture and compression of the common femoral artery. To our
knowledge, this is the first report that highlights a rare pubic anterior dislocation with greater trochanter fracture complicated with a pale, pulseless limb. Additionally, after
two unsuccessful closed manipulative reduction (CMR) attempts, an urgent open reduction was performed, which resulted in an immediate recovery of the distal circulation. We emphasize the need for urgent open reduction following failed CMR. A delayed open reduction that was carried out 12 hours after the injury may have contributed to the surgical site infection, avascular necrosis, and heterotopic ossification that developed in our case
Malware detection using Gini, Simpson diversity, and Shannon-Wiener indexes
No full textThe increasing number of malware attacks poses a significant challenge to cyber security. This paper proposes a methodology for static malware analysis using biodiveristy-inspired metrics that is Gini coefficient, Simpson diversity, and Shannon-Wiener index for malware detection. These metrics are used to build the structural feature representation on the raw binary file as the feature space. The effectiveness of these metrics are evaluated using multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) models. A deterministic algorithm is used to generate these features that
represent the feature signature of the executable file. Additionally, we investigated the effectiveness of different byte sizes as the input feature for these two classifiers. According to the results, Gini coefficient with on chunk size of 128 has successfully achieved average F1 score of more than 98.7% by using XGBoost model
Two pot and one pot synthesis of dipyrazolopyridines derivatives and applications
No full textDipyrazolopyridines (DPPs) are distinctive heterocyclic compounds with broad applications in pharmaceutical and industrial fields. DPPs can be conveniently synthesised using commonly available reagents such as ethyl acetoacetate, hydrazine derivatives, ammonium hydroxide, and aldehyde derivatives. This review article explores the synthesis of DPP derivatives, highlighting various synthetic
methods. Two-pot and one-pot synthesis of DPPs and their extensive applications in pharmaceuticals, material synthesis and environmental chemistry have also been
comprehensively discussed. The current challenges and prospects of DPPs in various fields have also been emphasised due to the potential technological advancements
and demand
Multidimensional Poverty Index in Sarawak
No full textThis study examines multidimensional poverty in Sarawak using the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) framework, which captures deprivations in health, education, and living
standards beyond traditional income-based measures. Drawing on primary survey data from 386 respondents, the Alkire-Foster dual cut-off methodology was applied to identify the
extent and intensity of poverty across households. The findings indicate that 90 percent of respondents were classified as non-poor, while 4.4 percent were near poor, 2.6 percent poor, and 2.1 percent severely poor. Deprivations were most pronounced in housing quality, access
to healthcare, and nutrition, whereas indicators such as school enrolment and sanitation reflected near-universal access. These results suggest that while Sarawak has made
substantial progress in reducing poverty, structural vulnerabilities persist among specific groups. The study underscores the importance of adopting a multidimensional perspective in poverty alleviation policies and highlights the need for targeted interventions to address overlapping deprivations, thereby supporting Malaysia’s broader aspirations under the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals
Correlation of experimental data and simulation models in adaptive thermal comfort analysis for university classrooms
No full textHVAC vent configuration is a critical element of building design in shaping indoor air distribution and thermal
comfort. Since thermal comfort is subjective and varies by region, this study aims to develop an adaptive thermal
comfort model using SolidWorks CFD for an air-conditioned classroom at Swinburne University of Technology,
Sarawak, Malaysia. Previous studies often relied on the PMV model and steady-state assumptions, which are less
accurate in tropical climates and fail to account for transient temperature changes. Therefore, experimental
measurements were used to define boundary conditions and validate simulation results to optimize the existing
model. Results emphasize the importance of optimizing supply air temperature boundary conditions to account
for transient effects. This study also incorporates Thermal Sensation Vote (TSV) data to provide region-specific
insights and uses experimental data to determine suitable boundary conditions. The optimized model lowered
temperature prediction errors from 16 % to 6 % in unoccupied conditions and from 8 % to 4 % in occupied
conditions during transient analysis, while satisfying ASHRAE Standard 55 air velocity requirements. The PMVTSV discrepancy of − 0.62 underscores the need to calibrate PMV predictions for more accurate thermal comfort
perceptions in Malaysia’s tropical climate. Improved vent configurations reduced airflow short-circuiting and
decreased temperature variations from 23.9–25.0 ◦C to 23.9–24.1 ◦C, resulting in a more balanced indoor
environment
Dual-Source Energy Harvesting: Synergizing Solar and Rain-Induced Vibrations via Piezoelectric Systems Mounted Beneath PV Panels in Sarawak
No full textThe integration of renewable energy systems with complementary harvesting mechanisms offers a promising strategy to address the intermittency challenges of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in tropical climates. This study investigates the feasibility of augmenting solar PV panels with piezoelectric harvesters mounted beneath them to capture low amplitude vibrations induced by rainfall, a seasonal phenomenon in Samarahan, Sarawak. Using MATLAB simulations and empirical vibration profiles derived from rain impacts, the proposed hybrid system is analyzed for its energy conversion efficiency under realistic climatic conditions. Key parameters, including piezoelectric material sensitivity, rectification losses, and storage capacitor dynamics, are evaluated to quantify the harvested energy. Simulation results reveal a maximum rectified voltage of 188.88 mV and an average harvested power of 0.01 μW from rain-induced vibrations, revealing the challenges of energy extraction from low-intensity environmental sources. While the vibrational contribution is modest compared to solar yields, the study demonstrates the potential for incremental energy gains in hybrid configurations, particularly during seasonal rainfall when solar irradiance is reduced. The work provides a methodological framework for modeling co-located energy systems in tropical regions and identifies critical barriers such as vibration amplitude limitations and diode losses to practical implementation. These findings lay the groundwork for optimizing piezoelectric materials and circuit designs to enhance energy recovery from ambient vibrations in regions with seasonal rainfall patterns like Sarawak