USM Journal Management System (Univ. Sains Malaysia)
Not a member yet
2330 research outputs found
Sort by
Radiation Dose of Abdominal and Lung Computed Tomography Based on Body Mass Index as an Indicator
Get PDFBackground: Radiation dose generated from computed tomography (CT) has drawn more attention to diagnostic radiology. It is a known fact that the risk of radiation-induced cancer is increasing, thereby necessitating the optimisation of dose in CT protocols. This study focused on determining the radiation dose of CT scans for the abdomen and lung using a 64-slice CT scanner to evaluate their correlation with body mass index (BMI). The objective of the study was to critically evaluate the relationship between BMI and radiation dose metrics in both CT lung and CT abdomen examinations.
Methods: Data from 106 patients who underwent CT lung and CT abdomen examinations at an advanced diagnostic center were retrospectively analysed. The volume CT dose index (CTDIvol), dose-length product (DLP), the scan range, and cranium diameter [antero-posterior (AP) and lateral (LAT)] of the patients were documented for further analysis. Effective dose (E) and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) were also computed.
Results: The mean BMI for CT lung was recorded as 24.85 (5.65). However, the correlation between BMI and the dose metrics (SSDE, E, DLP, and CTDIvol) was not significant, with correlation coefficients of 0.1278, 0.047, 0.047, and 0.1147, respectively. In contrast, the BMI for CT abdomen scans showed a moderate correlation with E (0.5898), SSDE (0.6288), DLP (0.5898), and CTDIvol (0.612). The results demonstrate that BMI can be used as a radiation dose metric in the case of CT abdomen scans, but has no influence on CT lung scans.
Conclusion: These results further suggest that BMI could provide radiation dose analysis, which in turn leads to optimisation of CT scan parameters
Continuum of Care for Diabetes and Hypertension Patients During the Pandemic Era: Bridging the Gap
Get PDFBackground: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT) are chronic diseases with an increasing prevalence in Indonesia. Continuum of care (CoC) offers a crucial management strategy, yet its implementation has faced challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines how the Health Belief Model (HBM) construct intersects with CoC implementation in primary healthcare (PHC) settings under pandemic conditions, addressing a critical gap in understanding chronic disease management adaptations.
Methods: A cross-sectional study, involving 351 DM or HT patients at nine PHC centres, was conducted between February and April 2021. Data collection included HBM-based questionnaires and structured patient surveys, analysed through descriptive statistics and path analysis.
Results: Respondents were predominantly women (55.0%) aged 41–60 years old (48.1%), and with secondary or higher education (74.6%). A total of 43% reported self-medicating during the pandemic, reflecting behavioural shifts in care-seeking. Path analysis showed age consistently influenced all five HBM perceptions, while education was associated with three: perceived susceptibility, severity and benefit. Perceived benefit was the strongest positive predictor of revisit behaviour (β = 0.264; P = 0.019), whereas perceived severity had a negative effect (β = –0.146; P = 0.024). Indirectly, age and education influenced revisit behaviour through perceived benefit and susceptibility, which were the most consistent mediators.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the utility of HBM in understanding CoC adherence during health crises. The findings support the tailoring of chronic disease strategies by age and education, and enhancing CoC with digital technologies and expanded Prolanis programmes. Future research should assess the long-term impacts of HBM-based interventions on adherence and outcomes
Ethical Principles in Medical Error Disclosure: From Harm to Healing in Clinical Practice
Get PDFThe disclosure of medical errors constitutes a critical element of patient-centred care, one that is both ethically complex and indispensable. This paper explores how the principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice provide an ethical foundation for transparent communication, while also confronting challenges such as paternalism and systemic inequities that disproportionately affect marginalised communities. Institutional frameworks, such as the Communication and Optimal Resolution (CANDOR) process, are presented as mechanisms for advancing accountability, learning, and transparency. The discussion reinforces the need for ethical training, protective policies, psychological support for clinicians, and multidisciplinary collaboration. It further asserts that disclosure is a shared ethical responsibility, one that cultivates trust, promotes fairness, and contributes to the continuous improvement of safer and more equitable healthcare systems
Functional Limitations in Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy: Prevalence, Optimal Cut-off Points, and Impact on Physical and Mental Health
Get PDFBackground: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of functional limitations, compare physical ability and mental health between diabetic participants with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) who had and did not have functional limitations, and determine the correlations, cut-off points, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of various physical performance tests for identifying individuals with these limitations.
Methods: The participants’ baseline characteristics and neuropathy severity were assessed. Functional limitations and mental health were evaluated using the 9-Question Depression Screening tool (9Q) questionnaire, while physical abilities were measured by handgrip strength (HG), the Five Times Sit To Stand Test (FTSTS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), the 10-m walk test (10MWT), and the 2-min step test (2MST).
Results: Among the participants with DPN, 58% had at least one functional limitation, most commonly walking up 10 steps (86.8%), performing leisure activities (63.2%), and stooping or rising from a chair (27.9%). Those with limitations had significantly lower mental health, muscle strength, balance, and endurance (P < 0.05). Functional limitations correlated moderately with HG, FTSTS, TUG, 2MST, and 10MWT (P < 0.001) and mildly with 9Q score. 10MWT showed the strongest predictive ability (AUC = 0.927), while other tests demonstrated moderate to high accuracy (AUC = 0.692–0.899).
Conclusion: Over half of the individuals with DPN experienced at least one functional limitation, most commonly affecting mobility and daily activities. Those with limitations exhibited poorer dynamic balance, muscle strength, and endurance. Among the physical performance tests, 10MWT demonstrated the strongest predictive ability (cut-off = 0.75 m/s, AUC = 0.927), underscoring its reliability and efficiency in identifying functional limitations in this population
Innovation and Identity in Indonesian EFL Education (Editorial)
Get PDFThis thematic issue of the Asia Pacific Journal of English Education (APJEE) brings together a diverse and timely collection of scholarly articles that illuminate the dynamic and evolving terrain of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education in Indonesia. As the country deepens its engagement with global academic discourses, this volume highlights the pedagogical innovations, contextual challenges, and critical reflections that characterise current EFL practices across a wide range of Indonesian educational settings
Global and China\u27s Perspectives on Digital Literacy Education: A Comparative CiteSpace Analysis
Get PDFThe ever-evolving digital ecosystem presents both opportunities and challenges for individuals, communities, and societies at large. Against this backdrop, education plays a critical role in equipping learners with the necessary competencies to harness the potential of digital technologies while mitigating associated risks. This study presents a comprehensive comparative analysis that provides educators with a new perspective on digital literacy. Leveraging CiteSpace to scrutinise two databases Web of Science (WoS) and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) separately, the analysis visually depicts the developmental trajectory of digital literacy research, identifies key thematic areas, and unveils potential research gaps. Within the international context, digital literacy research in WoS showcases a strong focus on practical applications, exploring its effects across diverse domains such as related literacy. Conversely, CNKI research predominantly delves into theoretical aspects, making notable contributions to the formulation of conceptual frameworks, and interdisciplinary explorations of digital literacy. Emerging trends indicate an increasing emphasis on digital ethics, misinformation, and data privacy. The research pinpoints research gaps among Chinese educators and policymakers, leading to a comprehensive understanding of digital literacy and offering fresh perspectives for future investigation. Given the pressing importance of digital literacy in the contemporary era, there arises an imperative to introduce and integrate education-oriented curricula within the Chinese educational system, thereby fostering a more profound and comprehensive pursuit of digital literacy among its learners
Implementation of Classroom Assessment in Malaysia
Get PDFClassroom assessment, initially known as “pentaksiran sekolah”, has been implemented in Malaysia for almost 10 years. Several studies have sought to examine the views and practices of primary and secondary teachers in Malaysia regarding the implementation of classroom assessment. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct a thorough examination of these studies in order to provide essential information to all stakeholders involved in the implementation of classroom assessment over the past decade. This paper aims to examine the four big keys that contribute to the quality of classroom assessment and analyse recent studies that are relevant to these components. The majority of the studies indicated that school teachers encounter difficulties in the initial stage of classroom assessment quality, specifically in comprehending the concept and purpose of classroom assessment and formative assessment. The study demonstrated that the process of implementing classroom assessment is demanding. Additional efforts and enhancements are required to enhance it further. It is expected that all the issues mentioned in this article will be thoroughly examined to improve the implementation of classroom assessment in the future
Impak Pembelajaran Transformatif dalam Kalangan Guru Pendidikan Khas yang Mengajar Pelajar Autisme (The Impact of Transformative Learning on Special Education Teachers who Teach Autistic Students)
Get PDFThis study explores the impact of transformative learning on special education teachers who teach autistic students. This qualitative study approach, incorporating the semi-structured interview method and Focus Group Discussion, was used for data collection. A purposive sampling of 10 special education teachers, serving in schools under the Malaysian Ministry of Education that implemented the Special Education Integration Program (PPKI), were selected as informants. The findings showed that the impacts of transformative learning on special education teachers who teach autistic students included emotional, behavioural, and thinking changes.
Kajian ini dijalankan untuk meneroka impak pembelajaran transformatif dalam kalangan guru pendidikan khas yang mengajar pelajar autisme. Kajian kualitatif ini menggunakan kaedah temu bual separa berstruktur dan Perbincangan Kumpulan Fokus (PKF) untuk mengumpul data. Dengan menggunakan persampelan bertujuan, 10 orang guru pendidikan khas yang berkhidmat di Sekolah Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia yang melaksanakan Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PPKI) telah dipilih sebagai informan. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan antara impak pembelajaran transformatif kepada guru pendidikan khas yang mengajar pelajar autisme merangkumi perubahan emosi, perubahan tingkah laku, dan perubahan pemikiran
The Application of Domestication and Foreignization Strategies in Translating Arabic-English Collocations in Awlad Haratina’s Novel
Get PDFThis paper examines the translations of collocations in a literary text in light of the translation strategies used. This paper examines the translations of collocations in a literary text in light of the translation strategies used within the framework of Venuti\u27s foreignization and domestication strategies. The study aims to examine the translation strategies that are frequently employed to translate collocations. It also attempts to find out if the translators of the TTs follow Venuti’s preferred strategy of translation, foreignization. Moreover, it investigates if using these strategies resulted in any distortion of the SL message. Accordingly, a comparative quantitative analysis and an expressive interpretive examination are followed to analyze the collected data. The study reveals that foreignization is highlighted by the heavy usage of literal translation, cultural borrowing and descriptive equivalence procedures. Domesticating procedures are manifested in cultural equivalent, addition, reduction, omission and adaption. According to the nearly equal percentage of using the two strategies, the study results in finding that collocations can be translated by using the two strategies, domestication and foreignization depending on the type of the collocation. However, foreignization strategy is used as the most frequent strategy to translate collocations
Subtitle Translation of Gender Queer in English Films
Get PDFGender identity and expressions have shifted from invariable to variable at birth. This means that it can shift and change at any given time. The concept of gender queer has been broadly accepted in many Western countries, such as the United States, but it has not been widely introduced in China. As the media is a means of exchanging cultures and knowledge, an English film about queer gender is a critical aspect for Chinese people who are only beginning to gain access to related knowledge. Linguistic techniques, cultural elements, and ideological differences determine subtitle translation. These cultural and ideological connotations often reflect assumptions that may vary from one culture to another, revealing different ways of understanding and expression. A small bilingual parallel corpus with subtitles of 10 queer films is investigated here, aiming to see the cultural difference and to analyse translation strategies for translating the culture-loaded words and expressions. Words and expressions related to gender queer are selected for analysis, including “lesbian”, “dyke”, “butch”, “gay”, “faggot”, “poofter”, “camp”, “bisexuality”, “transgender”, and “transvestite”. It is critical for subtitlers to translate gender queer films from a queer perspective, follow Vinay and Darblenet’s translation model and try to soften, desexualize, and sanitize the culture-loaded words and expressions, and make sure translators do not add extra negative attitudes and ideology into the translation. Only by maintaining a “neutral attitude” throughout the translation process can these subtitles positively enhance audiences\u27 understanding and acceptance of gender queer people