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Psychometric Properties of the Intrapreneurial Self-Capital Scale in Malaysian University Students
No full textThe Intrapreneurial Self-Capital Scale (ISCS) is a 28-item measure intended to measure individual resources used to manage career and life challenges. The Intrapreneurial Self-Capital (ISC) is a higher order construct composed of seven specific constructs: core self-evaluation, hardiness, resilience, creative self-efficacy, decisiveness, goal mastery, and vigilance. In the new research area of the psychology of sustainability and sustainable development, ISC constitutes a promising core of resources to face the challenges of the 21st century. The aim of the current study was to determine the factor structure and psychometric properties (i.e., reliability and concurrent validity) of a Malaysian version of ISCS among university students. The self-report questionnaire was administered to 1491 university students in Sabah, Malaysia. Confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess the latent structure of the Malaysian ISCS. The final indices of Goodness of Fit showed satisfactory fit to the data. The Cronbach's alpha of the Malaysian ISCS is 0.81. The Malaysian ISCS correlates with Career Adaptability r = 0.31 (p < 0.01) and with Life Project Reflexivity r = 0.44 (p < 0.01), thus showing an adequate concurrent validity evidence. The Malaysian ISCS provides a promising research area in psychology (both positive and sustainability). Malaysian parents, teachers and counselors can also use this tool for their development and intervention efforts. © 2019 by the authors
Vancomycin-loaded bone cement bullet for treatment of chronic septic arthritis post ACL reconstruction surgery
No full textThe consequence of post-operative infection can be devastating despite its rare incidence. Common organisms causing post-operative infection are normal flora of the skin: Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Early diagnosis followed by arthroscopic debridement and antibiotic therapy with graft retention remains the main aim of treatment. However, there are certain cases where the infection persists despite early intervention. Vancomycin-loaded bone cement bullet inserted into bone tunnel can provide a high local concentration of vancomycin with bactericidal effect and low systemic complications to treat deep-seated infection. © 2019 UPM Press. All rights reserved
The divine existence: Ontological discourse of al-ghazali (d. 1111) and maimonides (d. 1204)
No full textPurpose: This paper aims to elucidate al-Ghazali and Maimonides ontological arguments in proving God’s existence by analysing their theological writings. In the golden age of Islamic civilization, fellow Jewish and Christian were seen to be engaged in theological discourse with Muslim scholars. In adjacent, al-Ghazali and Maimonides were seen playing vital roles in affirming the existence of God in their respective religions. Methodology: This paper is qualitative in nature and employs content analysis. Both al-Ghazali and Maimonides’ arguments are then analysed comparatively. Comparative theology is done to examine theological discourse as part of inter-religious dialogue. Main Findings: This study finds that their arguments differ in interpreting the necessary existent which Maimonides’ dual categorization of necessary existence distinguishes their arguments from there onwards. This entails the dual argument by which Maimonides affirmed God is the agent and cause of every occurrence. Meanwhile, al-Ghazālī only affirmed God is the agent through His will and concept of particularization. Applications: This paper is vital in discussing the concept of God through inter-theological dialogue. Novelty/Originality: Notwithstanding the significant number of texts on divine existence, the researcher found no study that specifically deals with al-Ghazālī and Maimonides’ discourses on the existence of God. Needless to say, comparisons of the concept of God in Islam and Judaism are very limited in contrast to Islam and Christianity. © Senin et al
The systematic cultural adaptation of a UK public health cancer awareness raising programme for Malaysia: the Be Cancer Alert Campaign
No full textIncreasingly, policy and research attention is being directed toward improving global health in low- A nd middle-income countries. This study investigated the cultural adaptation of a UK-designed and developed evidence-based mass media campaign with the aim of improving colorectal cancer and breast cancer awareness in Malaysia. Guided by the heuristic framework of cultural adaptation, a multidisciplinary team adapted the UK Be Cancer Aware programme for implementation in the Malaysian context. The approach included five steps: (a) information gathering and needs assessment; (b) preliminary design; (c) preliminary testing; (d) refinement; and (e) final trial. Key findings from the information gathering stage related to the need to take into account differences in ethnicity, religion, and beliefs about cancer. Discussions with experts indicated that particular words were not acceptable in Malay culture and that specific aspects were "taboo" (e.g., showing pictures of breasts in relation to breast cancer on TV). Stage 3 of the analysis revealed that the presentation of cancer survivors rather than health professionals on programme materials was preferred by Malaysians and that there was a poor level of awareness about colorectal cancer. The results were used systematically to adapt two culturally suitable cancer awareness mass media campaigns for implementation in Malaysia. The developed materials were in line with government priorities and took into account the local health care system structure. The establishment of a partnership with key stakeholders (e.g., the Ministry of Health and the lead patient advocacy organization) and the application of a systematic approach to address cultural factors and resource constraints contribute to the successful implementation of public health programmes in global health settings. © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Behavioral Medicine
In vitro bioactivity and corrosion resistance enhancement of Ti-6Al-4V by highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays
No full textIn the present study, the structural features, corrosion behavior, and in vitro bioactivity of TiO 2 nanotubular arrays coated on Ti–6Al–4V (Ti64) alloy were investigated. For this reason, Ti64 plates were anodized in an ammonium fluoride electrolyte dissolved in a 90:10 ethylene glycol and water solvent mixture at room temperature under a constant potential of 60 V for 1 h. Subsequently, the anodized specimens were annealed in an argon gas furnace at 500 and 700 °C for 1.5 h with a heating and cooling rate of 5 °C min −1 . From XRD analysis and Raman spectroscopy, a highly crystalline anatase phase with tetragonal symmetry was formed from the thermally induced crystallization at 500 °C. Besides, the Ti 2p 3/2 and Ti 2p 1/2 binding energies showed the presence of the Ti 4+ oxidation state. According to the in vitro bioassay, the modified surface proved its outstanding capability in enhancing the bioactivity, where a thick layer of bone-like apatite was formed on the annealed TiO 2 nanotube surface. In addition, the corrosion measurements indicated that the corrosion protection efficiency increased remarkably and reached 87% after annealing at 500 °C. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2018, Australian Ceramic Society
Roles of Self-Directed Learning and Social Networking Sites in Lifelong Learning
No full textThe present research examines the relationship between self-directed learning and SNS that may affect lifelong learning. In study, 170 of the respondents are Masters students and 140 are PhD students in Malaysia. The study follows a relational survey to investigate and measure the degree of relationship amongst self-directed learning, SNS and lifelong learning. The findings of the research corroborate that self-directed learning positively affects lifelong learning. SEM analysis indicates significant and positive influence of self-directed learning on SNS. SNS are a positive partial mediator between self-directed learning and lifelong learning. In conclusion, self-directed learning positively influences the lifelong learning of students, which is affected by SNS. This study implies that lectures should support preservice teachers to sharpen teachers' self-directed learning and social networking in lifelong learning by giving suitable learning methods and proposing a sufficient teaching and learning atmosphere. © 2019, Eskisehir Osmangazi University
Influence of TiO2 layer's nanostructure on its thermoelectric power factor
No full textRutile-phased TiO2 thin films consist of single layer of nanorod structure and bilayer of nanorod and nanoflower structure with thickness of 2–10 μm were synthesized on FTO glass substrate and its Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity were measured in order to clarify the influence of layer's structure on its thermoelectric power factor for self-powered smart window material application. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of TiO2 thin films were found to be dependent on the type of layer's structure, and to be independent on the thickness of the layer, which is likely due to the elimination of phonon system contribution and its anisotropic dependency. The bilayer TiO2 thin film is found to possess the highest power factor of 79.7 μW/mK2 at 390 K, which is almost three times larger compared with a reported value for oxide material on glass substrate. These show a promising possibility to apply TiO2 thin film as thermoelectric harvester film fabricated on glass window. © 2019 Elsevier B.V
Perception of Stigma and Its Associated Factors Among Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Multicenter Survey From an Asian Population
No full textStigma of major depressive disorder (MDD) is an important public health problem. This study aimed to examine the level of perceived stigma and its associated factors in MDD patients in five Asian countries, including China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. A total of 547 outpatients with MDD were included from Asian countries. We used the stigma scale of the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC) to assess stigma. The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Symptoms Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used to assess symptoms, clinical features, functional impairment, health status, and social support. The stigma scores of patients under 55 years old were significantly higher than those equal to or greater than 55 years old (P < 0.001). The stigma scores exhibited significant negative correlation with age; MSPSS scores of family, friends, and others; and SF-36 subscale of mental health, but significant positive correlation with MADRS, FSS, SDS, and SCL-90-R subscale scores of depression, interpersonal sensitivity, obsession-compulsion, psychoticism, and somatization. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that age, SCL-90-R interpersonal sensitivity, obsession-compulsion, psychoticism, MSPSS scores of friends and others, and SF-36 of mental health were significantly associated with the level of perceived stigma. These findings suggest that MDD patients who are young, have a high degree of interpersonal sensitivity and psychoticism, have low health-related quality of life, and have low social support are the target population for stigma interventions in Asia. © 2019 Sun, Chen, Wang, Li, Srisurapanont, Hong, Hatim, Chen, Udomratn, Bae, Fang, Chua, Liu, George, Bautista, Chan, Rush, Yang, Su and Si. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms
Impact of severe chronic periodontitis on oral health-related quality of life
No full textPurpose: To assess the impact of extent and severity of chronic periodontitis (CP) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was performed on subjects from multiple dental centres in Malaysia using a questionnaire covering sociodemographics, OHRQoL using the Malaysian Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire, OHIP-14(M) and self-reported symptoms. Participants with severe CP were age-and gender-matched with periodontally healthy/mild periodontitis (HMP) participants based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Full mouth periodontal examination was performed on participants. Outcome measures were OHIP-14(M) prevalence of impact and severity of impact scores. Results: One hundred and thirty (130) participants comprising 65 severe CP and 65 HMP participants were included in the study. Prevalence of impact on OHRQoL was significantly higher in the severe CP than HMP group, with an odds ratio of 3. Mean OHIP-14(M) score was significantly higher in the severe CP (18.26 ± 10.22) compared to HMP (11.28± 8.09) group. The dimensions of psychological discomfort and functional limitation, and factors such as 'discomfort due to food stuck' and 'felt shy' were impacted more in severe CP compared to HMP group (p < 0.05). When compared with the HMP group, generalised severe CP participants showed higher prevalence of impact on OHRQoL [OR=5] (p < 0.05) compared to localised severe CP [OR=2] (p = 0.05). Participants who had experienced self-reported symptoms had statistically significant impacts on OHRQoL. Conclusions: Severe CP had a greater impact on OHRQoL compared to HMP. Impacts were mainly for functional limitation and psychological discomfort dimensions. When considering extent of disease, the impact on OHRQoL was mostly in generalised severe CP subgroup. © Quintessenz
Electronic structure and optical properties of the dialkali metal monotelluride compounds: Ab initio study
No full textStructural parameters, electronic structure and optical properties of the dialkali metal monotelluride M 2 Te (M = Li, Na, K and Rb) compounds in the cubic antifluorite structure were investigated via ab initio calculations using the all electron linearized augmented plane wave approach based on density functional theory with and without including spin-orbit coupling (SOC). The exchange-correlation interactions were described within the PBEsol version of the generalized gradient approximation and Tran-Blaha modified Becke–Johnson potential (TB-mBJ). Optimized equilibrium lattice parameters are in excellent accordance with existing measured ones. Computed energy band dispersions show that the studied compounds are large band gap materials. Inclusion of SOC reduces the band gap value compared to the corresponding one calculated without including SOC. Determination of the energy band character and interatomic bonding nature are performed using the densities of states diagrams and charge density distribution map. Linear optical function spectra are predicted for a wide energy range and the origin of the dielectric function spectrum peaks are determined. © 2019 Elsevier Inc