Journals of Universiti Kuala Lumpur
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Evaluation of Fitness Levels and Associated Factors among Public Health Pharmacy Staff in Perlis.
Full text linkBackground: Maintaining good fitness levels is vital for healthcare workers due to the physical and mental demands of their roles. This study assessed the fitness levels of pharmacy staff at public health clinics in Perlis and explored associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2024 among pharmacy staff in 13 public health facilities in Perlis. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, fitness levels (cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, and muscle endurance), and mental health symptoms were collected using an English-language questionnaire and analysed with SPSS version 25.0. Results: Of the 72 participants (mean age 36.3 years, SD=7.04), most were Malay (95.8%), female (77.8%), and married (70.8%). Obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) was present in 11 participants (15.3%). Cardiovascular endurance was rated average or above in 87.5% of participants, muscle strength in 55.6%, and muscle endurance in 73.6%. Overall, 37.5% were classified as physically fit. Exercising four to five times per week significantly increased the likelihood of being physically fit compared to those who did not exercise (AOR=17.29, p=0.030). Conclusion: A considerable proportion of pharmacy staff were not classified as physically fit, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Regular exercise, particularly four to five times per week, was strongly associated with improved fitness levels
HORIZONTAL WELL TESTS ANALYSIS USING KAPPA (ECRIN) SOFTWARE
Full text linkHorizontal wells technology has provided motivation for many applications in the Petroleum Industry, in naturally fractured reservoirs, horizontal wells has been used to intersect fractures and drain them and the reservoir effectively. Horizontal wells also allow operators to take advantage of highly heterogeneous layered reservoirs, reservoirs with fractures, reservoir with gas and water coning problems, heavy oil reservoirs water flood and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) application to increase injectivity and improved sweep efficiency.The main objective of this paper is to estimate the three dimensions permeability and skin factor using two different tools first was using Excel sheet by inserting the equation and analysis the flow periods the by using Kappa(ECRIN)software. The results obtained were good matched for two wells and the third well (E38) was hard to be matched in ECRIN but in Excel was analyzed by divided the curves in to three periods, and the other close to each in first and second wells (E37 -E39) when comparison made between Excel sheet and Kappa(ECRIN) software the ky over kz permeability was estimated as 37.41md (ECRIN39.7md) and to tal skin factor-5.15 (ECRIN-7.25) for E37 moreover for well E39 the ky over kz permeability was estimated at 35.5 md (ECRIN 42.4md) and total skin factor -6.19 (ECRIN -7.01). ECRIN software was very hard and didn’t reach to a modelling well E38 because every scattering in pressure derivative, gave permeability 111.3 md in Y dimension in Excel sheet and -1.62 skin factor
CLASSIFICATION OF SKIN CANCER BASED ON DEEP LEARNING USING CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORKS – OPPORTUNITIES AND VULNERABILITIES A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Full text linkConvolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have outperformed dermatologists in the classification of skin lesions related to skin cancer, potentially saving lives through earlier diagnosis. By just installing an app on their mobile devices, people will be able to self-diagnose their cancer. By the end of 2021[28], 6.3 billion people are expected to have used the subscriptions to diagnose themselves with skin cancer. This study shows its findings after reviewing a large number of research articles on CNN-based skin lesion classification. Thanks to recent advances in machine learning algorithms, the rate at which skin lesions are erroneously identified has decreased as compared to dermatologist categorisation. This study looks at the approaches that have been taken, the effectiveness of those approaches, and the development of CNN in the successful classification of skin cancer subtypes. While deep learning with CNN gives advantages over a dermatologist, it also has certain disadvantages when misclassifying photos depending on symptoms and criteria. We also address these weaknesses in this overview research. We searched the Science Direct, PubMed, Elsevier, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases for published original research publications. From the web publications we looked for, we selected articles with sufficient data and information about the authors\u27 study and created an overview of the authors\u27 approaches and methodologies. There is currently a lack of review literature addressing the merits and drawbacks of applying deep learning to the classification of skin cancer. Advances in deep learning and machine learning technology can eliminate human error and prevent errors and classifications. Along with their limitations, we will also discuss the benefits of using CNNs for deep learning
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY IN NORTH AFRICA: INNOVATING SMART CITIES
Full text linkOne of the most promising research areas for future smart cities is the field of smart energy. Critical issues related to optimisation, the establishment of adaptive smart grids, and advanced computational techniques enabled by artificial intelligence and machine learning warrant further exploration. Renewable energies (RE) are a major asset for global development in the face of climate change and resource scarcity. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers innovative approaches to organizing activities in response to these ever-changing needs. By integrating AI, we can improve the design, deployment and production of RE infrastructures, addressing multiple challenges and boosting the sector\u27s growth and resilience. Our aim is to explore how AI can optimize renewable energy processes in North Africa, assess its impact on different energy sources, analyze labor productivity in the renewable energy sector and discuss its implications for the future development of smart cities
Psychosocial Determinants and Treatment Outcomes in Adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder: A Preliminary Retrospective Analysis.
Full text linkMental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are prevalent among adolescents, yet evidence on psychosocial determinants and treatment responses remains limited. This retrospective study investigates the psychosocial determinants, prescribed treatments, and treatment outcomes in adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) at a Malaysian hospital. Data from 80 adolescents aged 10-19 years were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Low self-esteem (16.5%) and dysfunctional family dynamics (15.4%) were identified as the most common determinants. Combined psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy were prescribed to 62.5% of patients, significantly improving symptom outcomes (p = 0.005). Disabilities were significantly associated with MDD and GAD diagnoses (p = 0.041), increasing the odds of developing these disorders by approximately 25-fold. The findings emphasise the need for integrated psychosocial and pharmacological interventions to optimise treatment outcomes, as well as the need for customised strategies in the care of adolescent mental health
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome: A Case Report Underlining the Importance of Early Diagnosis to Prevent Complications
Full text linkRamsay Hunt Syndrome (RHS) is a rare neurological disorder and a sequelae of Herpes zoster, resulting from the reactivation of the Varicella zoster virus (VZV) in the geniculate ganglion. Patients usually present with acute unilateral peripheral facial nerve paralysis, often accompanied by vesicular eruptions in the external auditory canal or oral mucosa, a hallmark of herpes zoster oticus. Due to its overlapping clinical features, RHS is frequently misdiagnosed as Bell\u27s palsy, a more common cause of facial paralysis seen in primary care settings. This case report underscores the potential for RHS misdiagnosis, in which can lead to delayed initiation of antiviral and corticosteroid therapy, resulting in suboptimal patient outcome. This case emphasizes the importance of early recognition of the condition, which are critical to improving prognosis, reducing complications, and enhancing the quality of life for affected patients
Anti-synthetase Syndrome with Dermatomyositis Responding to Combination of Mycophenolate mofetil and Cyclosporin: A Case Report.
Full text linkAnti-synthetase syndrome (ASS) is a rare inflammatory muscle disorder associated with dermatomyositis and polymyositis, characterized by autoantibodies targeting aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Clinical manifestations vary but typically include mechanic’s hands, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and Raynaud’s phenomenon. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman with a positive anti-Jo1 autoantibody, who initially presented with respiratory symptoms that progressed to myositis, along with severe, painful mechanic’s hands and feet. Her condition improved with a combination of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), corticosteroids, and cyclosporine
A Scoping Review on Back Care Education Strategies for Farmers with Low Back Pain
Full text linkABSTRACT
Background: Farmers frequently experience low back pain (LBP), which arises from the physically demanding nature of their work combined with multiple contributing factors. Hence, it is important to provide tailored back care education (BCE) to manage pain and enhance functionality effectively. Objective: This scoping review aims to identify, map, and synthesize the evidence on back care education (BCE) strategies designed to reduce pain and improve function for farmers with LBP. Materials and methods: The literature search was conducted in PUBMED, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify articles published between 2012 and 2024. The eligibility criteria included studies focusing on BCE in farming populations with LBP regardless of study design. Result: From 1,395 articles initially screened, only nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis identified three main BCE components: (1) ergonomic training for agricultural tasks, (2) prescribed therapeutic exercise, and (3) pain science and self-management education. Multi-component BCE programs were generally effective in reducing pain and improving function, although intervention protocols and outcome measures varied substantially. Conclusion: This review demonstrates that BCE is a promising strategy for the management of low back pain in farmers, particularly when adapted to the specific demands of agricultural work. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity of the interventions identified indicates the need for further research to formulate standardized and context-specific protocols, as well as to apply consistent outcome measures to build a more robust evidence base
Exploring Balance as a Determinant of High-Level Mobility After Traumatic Brain Injury.
Full text linkTraumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major cause of long-term disability. Individuals with moderate to severe TBI often experience lasting difficulties in balance and mobility. High-level mobility, which includes tasks such as running, stair climbing, and quick directional changes, is frequently impaired in this population and poses significant barriers to independence and community reintegration. Despite the known importance of balance in rehabilitation, its precise contribution to the high-level mobility critical for independence remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the relationship between balance performance and high-level mobility in individuals with moderate to severe TBI. A total of 86 participants were assessed using the High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT), the Sensory Organization Test (SOT), and the Limits of Stability (LOS) test. The analysis demonstrated moderate to strong positive correlations between high-level mobility and both SOT and LOS measures, with maximum excursion (MXE) (r = 0.603) showing the strongest association. These results advocate for incorporating dynamic balance challenges (e.g., perturbed walking, reactive stepping) into rehabilitation to maximise mobility recovery. By highlighting balance as a modifiable and measurable contributor to mobility, this study offers practical insights for designing more effective rehabilitation strategies that support recovery and independence after TBI
Primary Varicella Infection-associated Conjunctivitis: A Case-based Review and Insights into its Pathogenesis.
Full text linkPrimary varicella infection or chickenpox is a very common illness predominantly of childhood caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV). Ocular involvement in chickenpox is relatively uncommon but is well documented in the literature. We present a case study of a healthy 6-year-old child developing unilateral serous conjunctivitis on day-2 of illness with spontaneous resolution by day-5. We narratively reviewed the findings of 2 larger case series in the English literature, highlighting ocular complications associated with chickenpox. Conjunctivitis is the second commonest ocular complication associated with chickenpox. Conjunctivitis associated with chickenpox generally runs a benign course and spontaneously resolve without anti-viral therapy. We reviewed the potential mechanisms of conjunctival involvement in chickenpox. These include epithelial homology to keratinocytes, the types of carrier T-lymphocyte involved in the secondary viraemic phase and VZV induced T-lymphocyte surface antigenic remodelling favouring ocular homing