19672 research outputs found
Sort by
Changes in lower limb kinematics coordination during 2000m ergometer rowing among male junior national rowers
No full textJoint coordination is important for rowers because a non-optimal strategy may limit the power output and movement efficiency during rowing. Although lower limb joint coordination is fundamental during rowing, studies on this aspect, particularly during ergometer rowing, are scarce. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes of lower limb kinematics coordination during a 2000m timetrial on a dynamic rowing ergometer. Ten male junior national rowers were recruited. Three-dimensional lower limb kinematics were captured and recorded for ten strokes for every 500m splits of 2000m time trial using nine high-speed infrared cameras. Then, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to determine the coordination coefficients that represented the temporal activity of the coordination and coordination vectors corresponding to the relative weightings of each kinematic variable within the coordination. The rowers completed 2000m timetrial in 7.57 ± 0.42 minutes. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study that evaluated joint coordination during 500m splits of 2000m rowing time trial among trained rowers. Joint coordination of lower limb kinematics could be distinguished in two robust factors that were consistent across 500m splits of 2000m rowing time trial. Main coordination was contributed by hip joint in all planes, knee joint in the sagittal and frontal planes, and ankle joint in the sagittal and transverse planes. Meanwhile, minor coordination was comprised of knee joint in the transverse plane and ankle joint in the frontal plane.There were small changes in the loading vectors for both factors across the time trial. Coaches and rowers may emphasize their training on the specific joint movement that contributes to the main coordination. This strategy may enhance their rowing performance and joint coordination
Cognitive dysfunction in Malaysian patients with major depressive disorder: A subgroup analysis of a multicountry, cross‐sectional study
No full textIntroduction: Cognitive dysfunction has been significantly associated with functional impairment in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: This is a subgroup analysis of 211 Malaysian patients recruited from the multicountry, multicenter, cross-sectional Cognitive Dysfunction in Asian patients with Depression (CogDAD) study. Depression severity, cognitive dysfunction, and functional disability were assessed and compared with the overall CogDAD study population. Factors associated with functional disability were also evaluated in this Malaysian patient population. Results: Approximately half of the Malaysian patients were in their first depressive episode, with the majority being treated for mild-to-moderate depression. Furthermore, Malaysian patients experienced cognitive dysfunction, with self-reported Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ-D) scores falling within the third quartile of PDQ-D severity. Malaysian patients also reported functional disability evidenced by a mean total Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) score of 11.47 ± 6.68, with the highest SDS score reported in the “Social Life/Leisure Activities” domain. Compared with the overall CogDAD study population, the Malaysian patient population had comparable patient demographics in terms of marital and working status; outcome scores for PHQ-9 (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire for self-reported depression severity), PDQ-D and SDS; and worst perceived cognitive dysfunction reported in the “Attention/Concentration” domain. Factors found to be significantly associated with functional disability were PDQ-D score, sick leave taken, and antidepressant treatment (P < 0.05). Discussion: Findings from this subgroup analysis highlight the significance of treating cognitive dysfunction in patients with MDD and its correlation to functional disability
Corporate social responsibility and Islamic banks: a systematic literature review
No full textAlthough CSR is an extensively studied topic, a systematic, comprehensive and diverse review in the domain of CSR and Islamic banking is missing. This paper intends to present a broad review of this domain. Through a state-of-the-art review, we have divided the paper into different sections, the first two are general i.e. CSR measurement, it deals with measuring methods of CSR in Islamic banking, and CSR theories, it gives a brief overview of theories referred in under-review studies. While, the other three sections are separated according to the nature of studies i.e. CSR narrative under the Islamic paradigm, CSR disclosure by Islamic banks, and CSR exposition in Islamic banks. At the end of each section, we have included a ‘commentary’ to discuss and summarize major points, highlight trends and issues, provide insights into limitations and suggest future research directions
Medium-chain-length poly-3-hydroxyalkanoates-carbon nanotubes composite as proton exchange membrane in microbial fuel cell
No full textMedium-chain-length poly-3-hydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and carboxyl group-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MC) were used to fabricate a composite membrane for application in a double-chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC). MC was composited into PHA at 5%, 10%, and 20% w/w via ultrasound dispersion blending method. PHA-MC composite was compared with Nafion 117 as proton exchange membrane in MFC operated with palm oil mill effluent (POME) wastewater. The composite exhibited prerequisite separator membrane characteristics. The dispersion of MC in the polymer matrix increased its interfacial surface area and water uptake properties. PHA-MC10% membrane in MFC showed maximum power density of 361 mW/m 2 , which was comparable with Nafion 117 (372 mW/m 2 ). Internal resistance decrease, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, coulombic efficiency (CE), and conductivity of the PHA-MC10% were superior to Nafion 117. The environmental-friendly material could provide an alternative towards realizing practical MFC application
The impacts of fans’ attachment, sincerity and social media usage on attitude toward sports sponsorship
No full textSport communication entails a strategic mechanism in gaining an audience and loyal supporter for sportsmen fan. The objective of this article is to provide insight towards fan attachment through social media and sponsorship on mindsets about sponsor and plans to acquire products of the sponsor. Data was accumulated via survey technique. The surveys were completed by supporters. The hypothesized model was tested by a theoretical framework. The results showed that team attractiveness, team faith, and team commitment are positively linked to team affection. While team connection was observed to positively impact supporter devotion, sports enthusiasts’ Facebook use was observed to significantly strengthen their devotion and sport shoppers who see a match among the sponsor and sports team are more apt to consider that the sponsor’s intentions are genuine and honesty opinions which in turn, positively impact mindsets for sponsor and intentions to buy the sponsor’s goods. The study also offers experimental proof for the direct effects of perceived fit and supporters’ use of social media for obtaining team-related info on buy intentions. Results of the present study propose that sponsor companies should link their genuine intentions, their match with the sponsored sports team and be acive on social media accounts of the sports team in order to influence their sponsorship. This survey indicated that sports team concentrating on social media utilization has a positive impact on intentions to buy products of sponsor in an emergent market setting, in motorsports
Assessment of masticatory performance by geometric measurement of the mixing ability with 2-color chewing gum
No full textStatement of problem: The 2-color mixing ability test has been recently introduced for objective assessment of masticatory performance. However, the ideal bicolor specimens have not yet been identified, and the color analysis of digital images requires improvement. Purpose: The purpose of this clinical study was to formulate a custom-made, 2-color chewing gum for the mixing ability test and to develop an image-processing method for color mixing analysis. Material and methods: Specimens of red-green (RG)chewing gum were prepared as a test food. Twenty dentate participants (10 men, 10 women; mean age 21 years)took part in this study. Each participant masticated 1 piece of RG gum for 3, 6, 9, 15, and 25 cycles, and this task was repeated 3 times consecutively (total n=15 for each participant). The boluses were retrieved and flattened to 1-mm-thick wafers and scanned with a flatbed scanner. The digital images were analyzed using ImageJ software equipped with a custom-built plug-in to measure the geometric dispersion (GD)of baseline red segment. The predictive criterion validity of this method was determined by correlating GD to the number of mastication cycles. The hardness and mass of RG chewing gum were measured before and after mastication. Hardness loss (%)and mass loss (%)were then calculated and compared with those of a commercially available chewing gum. Results: The 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni test showed that GD was able to discriminate among the groups of different numbers of mastication cycles (P<.001). Pearson correlation coefficient confirmed the significant correlation between GD and the number of mastication cycles (r=0.90, P<.001). The hardness loss and mass loss of RG chewing gum were significantly lower than those of commercial chewing gum (P<.001). Conclusions: The newly formulated chewing gum provides an appropriate test food material for masticatory performance assessment. The new image-processing method discriminated among the different levels of color mixture and quantified the mixing ability
Bio-fabrication of pigment-capped silver nanoparticles encountering antibiotic-resistant strains and their cytotoxic effect towards human epidermoid larynx carcinoma (HEp-2) cells
No full textBacterial biomolecule-mediated nanoparticle (NP) synthesis constitutes a reliable, eco-friendly approach that ameliorates green-chemistry principles. In this study, stable silver nanoparticles were synthesized by exposing aqueous silver ions to an extracellular diffusible pigment produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA6) under optimized laboratory conditions. Spectroscopic and microscopic analyses showed the typical characteristics of silver with an average size of ∼28.30 nm and spherical shape. The particles were polydispersed and showed no definite agglomeration with a zeta potential of -32.3 mV, conferring stability. Antimicrobial studies were carried out using 5, 15, 25 and 50 μg mL-1 concentrations of pcAgNPs, which showed significant antibacterial activity toward clinically important pathogens at all concentrations compared to with the control sample. The bactericidal effect induced by pcAgNPs associated with cell damage was well demonstrated using electron microscopic studies. ROS production was measured using the DCFH-DA method and the oxidative stress was assessed by measuring the reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Cytotoxicity studies on HEp-2 (Human Epidermoid Larynx Carcinoma) cells exposed to pcAgNPs showed dose-dependent cytotoxic effect with IC50 of 14.8 μg mL-1 compared to with IC50 of 7.38 μg mL-1 for the Vero cell control. Mechanistically, the pcAgNPs activated p53 that induced catalase, leading to apoptosis and DNA fragmentation via a p53 transcriptional pathway and electron transport arrest, which resulted in cell death. This synergistic efficacy of pigment-AgNPs demonstrated excellent antimicrobial and anti-proliferative activities, providing a potential lead for developing a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent and improving the therapeutic modalities targeting carcinoma cells at the gene level. © 2019 The Royal Society of Chemistry
Poverty alleviation strategy by small agri-businesses in the rural area of Malaysia
No full textThis paper examines the effectiveness of entrepreneurship development on increasing income and reducing poverty of smallholder farmers in Malaysian via comparative qualitative research methods. As a result, the level of support by members of the smallholder family is also not forthcoming to ensure the success of the entrepreneurship development programmes. Mostly, these smallholder farmers live in rural areas which often lack infrastructure and facilities. In conclusion, perspective and mental changes of the smallholder farmer communities to involve them in different areas of entrepreneurial development will be important to safeguard their wellbeing. © 2019, Universidad del Zulia. All rights reserved
Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of patients with metastatic gastric cancer: a JSMO–ESMO initiative endorsed by CSCO, KSMO, MOS, SSO and TOS
No full textThe most recent version of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of gastric cancer (GC) was published in 2016, and covered the management and treatment of local, locoregional, locally advanced and metastatic disease. At the ESMO Asia Meeting in November 2017 it was decided by both ESMO and The Japanese Society of Medical Oncology (JSMO) to convene a special guidelines meeting immediately after the JSMO Annual Meeting in 2018. The aim was to adapt the ESMO 2016 guidelines to take into account the ethnic differences associated with the treatment of metastatic GC in Asian patients. These guidelines represent the consensus opinions reached by experts in the treatment of patients with metastatic GC representing the oncological societies of Japan (JSMO), China (CSCO), Korea (KSMO), Malaysia (MOS), Singapore (SSO) and Taiwan (TOS). The voting was based on scientific evidence and was independent of both the current treatment practices and the drug availability and reimbursement situations in the individual participating Asian countries. © The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology
Synthesis, characterization and computational study of an ilmenite-structured Ni3Mn3Ti6O18 thin film photoanode for solar water splitting
No full textIlmenite-structured Ni3Mn3Ti6O18 solid solution thin films have been deposited on FTO glass substrates by aerosol-Assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) using a 1:2 homogenous mixture of nickel(ii) acetate monohydrate (Ni(CH3COO)2·H2O), anhydrous manganese(ii) acetate (Mn(CH3COO)2) and titanium(iv) butoxide (Ti(O(CH2)3CH3)4) in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) using tetrahydrofuran (THF) as a solvent. Thin films prepared at 575, 600 and 625 °C were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), FT-Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which demonstrated the development of single phase hexagonal microspherical objects of Ni3Mn3Ti6O18 clusters with precise stoichiometry. A direct optical band gap energy of 2.42, 2.06, and 1.70 eV for thin films fabricated at 575, 600, and 625 °C, respectively, was estimated by UV-vis spectrophotometry. The Ni3Mn3Ti6O18 photoanode deposited at 625 °C for 45 minutes yielded a photocurrent density of 2.05 mA cm-2 at +0.7 V vs. Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl using a 0.5 M NaOH electrolyte under AM 1.5 G illumination (100 mW cm-2) as compared to the films grown at 575 and 600 °C and studied under similar conditions. The charge transfer dynamics of the thin films were also explored using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. The Mullikan charge population calculated through density functional theory (DFT) studies carried out at the B3LYP 6-31G(d,p) level for the [Ti2O6]4- unit of ilmenite determined the highest negative charge on the O atom. The frontier molecular orbital energies (EHOMO and ELUMO) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis gave a band gap value of 2.03 eV, complementing the experimental results. Band structure analysis of the [Ti2O6]4- slab showed that the valence band and conduction band are comprised of O 2s, O 2p and Ti 3d orbitals. The results of the present investigation point towards the possibility of an ilmenite form of transition metal oxides as a potential broad spectrum visible light absorbing photocatalyst for solar driven water splitting. © 2019 The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique