19672 research outputs found
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Towards developing and validating Quality Physical Education in schools—The Asian physical education professionals’ voice
No full textPhysical education professionals aim to develop quality programmes for physical education. This study aimed to develop and validate a scale using professionals’ perceptions of Quality Physical Education QPE in Asia using twenty-four items regarding QPE quality issues. The items covered status and roles, development of educational elements and supportive features in physical education. A sample of N = 799 sport and physical education professionals from eleven Asian cities participated in this questionnaire survey. Twenty-four items relating to QPE were examined via exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using maximum likelihood extraction and direct oblimin rotation methods. Nevertheless, only 20 items were extracted following the EFA examination. Items 1, 9, 14 and 18 were excluded because of low factor loadings. The remaining items were clustered into four subscales: Development and Supportive Elements for Quality Physical Education in Schools (DSFQPE; α = .918), Core Values of Quality Physical Education (CVPE; α = .908), Curriculum Arrangement of Physical Activities (CAPA; α = .884) and Provision and Norms in Physical Education (PNPE; α = .865). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α = .875) indicated excellent internal consistency for the overall measure. Furthermore, the 4 retained factors from the EFA were assessed via robust confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The 4-factor model demonstrated a good fit with the data (CMIN/DF = 3.450, CFI = .928, TLI = .916, PCFI = .801, RMSEA = .078). The study identified a 4-factor structure with internal consistency and acceptable interfactor correlations. The structure seemed to be applicable, including the twenty items identified as useful and necessary tools for the framework of analysis in the investigation of diverse settings for the study of quality physical education. © 2019 Ho et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Phase transition, domain structure and electrical properties of Mn-doped 0.3 Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-0.4 Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.3PbTiO3 crystals
No full textThe 0.5 mol.% Mn-doped 0.3 Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-0.4 Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.3PbTiO3 (Mn-PIMNT) single crystal was grown by a modified Bridgman technology. A comprehensive study involving the electrical properties, as well as phase transitions and domain configuration behavior of (001)-oriented Mn-PIMNT single crystal has been carried out. Three anomalies around 115 °C (TR-M), 122 °C (TM-T), 155 °C (TT-C) were observed in dielectric performance analysis, and their dielectric constant exhibited strong frequency dependence. The strain curves showed that the phase transitions at high temperatures induced by electric field were discontinuous, reflecting the characteristics of first-order-like phase transitions. Furthermore, the temperature related converse piezoelectric constant (d33), coercive field (Ec), remnant polarization (Pr), maximum strain (Smax) and longitudinal electrostrictive coefficient (Q) showed diverse variation trend. The values of Pr and Ec gradually decreased as the temperature rose, and when the temperature approached to TR-M and TM-T, values of Pr decreased while values of Smax and Q increased dramatically. The fatigue test of this single crystal showed almost fatigue-free behavior even after 1 × 105 cycles. The results of temperature-dependent PFM tests demonstrated the great temperature stability of the Mn-PIMNT single crystal, which makes it possible for application in high-temperature devices. © 2019 Elsevier B.V
Production of bio-hydrogen from dairy wastewater using pretreated landfill leachate sludge as an inoculum
No full textBio-hydrogen production from wastewater using sludge as inoculum is a sustainable approach for energy production. This study investigated the influence of initial pH and temperature on bio-hydrogen production from dairy wastewater using pretreated landfill leachate sludge (LLS) as an inoculum. The maximum yield of 113.2 ± 2.9 mmol H 2 /g chemical oxygen demand (COD) (12.8 ± 0.3 mmol H 2 /g carbohydrates) was obtained at initial pH 6 and 37 °C. The main products of volatile fatty acids were acetate and butyrate with the ratio of acetate:butyrate was 0.4. At optimum condition, Gibb's free energy was estimated at −40 kJ/mol, whereas the activation enthalpy and entropy were 65 kJ/mol and 0.128 kJ/mol/l, respectively. These thermodynamic quantities suggest that bio-hydrogen production from dairy wastewater using pretreated LLS as inoculum was effective and efficient. In addition, genomic and bioinformatics analyses were performed in this study. © 2018 The Society for Biotechnology, Japa
As an emerging economy, should Malaysia adopt carbon taxation?
No full textOn 1 July 2014, the Australian Government announced the abolition of its new carbon tax policy barely two years into implementation. The Australia’s policy U-turn raises a very important question: Should an emerging economy such as Malaysia adopt carbon and climate change policy as part of a larger tax reform? In order to answer this, the key issues, main driving forces and barriers in the use of carbon tax as an incentive-based instrument for economic and environmental policies purposes are examined. With the recent global climate challenges and the fiscal needs of the national budget, it is submitted that the implementation of a carbon tax framework in Malaysia should be regarded not as an ultimate goal in itself but as a starting point to develop the right behavioural response for a better and more comprehensive national fiscal and climate policy reform in the future. © The Author(s) 2018
Eye lens dose of medical personnel involved in fluoroscopy and interventional procedures at a Malaysian Hospital
No full textObjective: This study measured the radiation exposure of the eye lens of medical personnel performing fluoroscopy and interventional procedures at the Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. This study was the first in Malaysia to utilise in vivo radiation measurement relatively near the eye lens. Methods: 41 medical personnel performing 79 procedures were monitored for their eye lens exposure using the NanoDot™ optically-stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLD) taped to the outer canthus of their eyes. The air-kerma area product (KAP), fluoroscopy time (FT) and number of procedure runs were also recorded. Results: KAP, FT and number of runs were strongly correlated. However, only weak to moderate correlations were observed between these parameters with the measured eye lens doses. The average median equivalent eye lens dose was 0.052 mSv (ranging from 0.0155 to 0.672 mSv). The eye lens doses of primary operators were found to be significantly higher than their assistants due to the closer proximity to the patient and X-ray tube. The left eye lens of the operators received the highest amount of radiation due to their habitual positioning towards the radiation source. Conclusion: KAP and FT were not useful in predicting the equivalent eye lens dose exposure in interventional radiological procedures. Direct in vivo measurements were needed to provide a better estimate of the eye lens doses received by medical personnel during these procedures. This study highlights the importance of using direct measurement, such as OSLDs, instead of just indirect factors to monitor dose in the eye lens in radiological procedures. © 2019 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medic
Using clinical practice guidelines to manage dengue: a qualitative study in a Malaysian hospital
No full textBackground: Malaysia has rising dengue incidence. World Health Organization clinical practice guidelines for managing dengue have been adapted by the Ministry of Health in Malaysia, with evidence of good awareness by clinicians. However, dengue mortality has not reduced. This study aimed to explore the challenges of dengue management for Medical Officers, with a particular focus on use of clinical practice guidelines. Methods: Qualitative study using six focus groups and 14 semi-structured interviews with doctors responsible for dengue management at a large tertiary hospital in Malaysia. Results: Dengue was recognised as difficult to diagnose and manage. Wide awareness and use of both WHO and Ministry of Health guidelines was reported, but several limitations noted in their coverage of particular patient groups. However, the phrase 'guidelines' also referred to local algorithms for fluid management, which were less clinically evidence-based. Where Medical Officers were well trained in the appropriate use of evidence-based guidelines, barriers to use included: the potential for 'following the algorithm' to undermine junior clinicians' claims to clinical expertise; inability to recognise the pattern of clinical progress; and lack of clinical experience. Other reported barriers to improved case management were resource constraints, poor referral practices, and insufficient awareness of the need for timely help seeking. Conclusions: Awareness of clinical practice guidelines is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for optimal dengue management. In high prevalence settings, all clinical staff would benefit from regular dengue management training which should include diagnosis, practice in monitoring disease progression and the use of clinical practice guidelines in a range of clinical contexts. © 2019 The Author(s)
Pedometer-determined physical activity among primary schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur
No full textObjective: The aim of this study was to objectively measure physical activity and its association with sociodemographic factors among Malaysian primary school-age children. Methods: A total of 111 primary school children in Kuala Lumpur were selected through random sampling. Activity pattern was determined using pedometers and differences by sex, ethnicity and body mass index categories were analysed. The relationship between pedometer-determined physical activity and sociodemographic factors were also studied. Results: Overall, boys attained significantly higher daily step counts than girls (9573 ± 4145 vs 7313 ± 2697). Significant difference in daily step counts between boys and girls were observed during weekdays (p<0.01), weekends (p<0.05) and total mean step counts (p<0.01). Malay ethnicity showed higher daily step counts during weekdays than weekends (p<0.05). Compared with boys, girls had higher odds (OR=5.58; 95% CI 1.12, 27.77) of not meeting the recommended daily step counts. Those who had low physical activity levels had higher odds (OR=15.75; 95% CI 1.78, 139.33) of not meeting recommended daily step counts than children who had moderate physical activity level. Conclusion: Boys were significantly more active than girls and physical activity was greater during weekdays than on weekends. The primary schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur were sedentary, with minimum physical activity being observed. Differences in sexes and physical activity levels influenced pedometer step counts in children. © The Author(s) 2019
Marantodes pumilum (Blume) Kuntze (Kacip Fatimah) stimulates uterine contraction in rats in post-partum period
No full textEthnopharmacological relevance: Marantodes pumilum (Blume) Kuntze has traditionally been used to firm the uterus after delivery, however scientific evidences behind this claim is still lacking. Aims of study: To demonstrate Marantodes pumilum leaves aqueous extract (MPE) has an effect on uterine contraction after delivery and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: Day-1 post-delivery female rats were given MPE (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day) orally for seven consecutive days. A day after the last treatment (day-8), rats were sacrificed and uteri were harvested and subjected for ex-vivo contraction study using organ bath followed by protein expression and distribution study by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry techniques, respectively. The proteins of interest include calmodulin-CaM, myosin light chain kinase-MLCK, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), G-protein α and β (Gα and Gβ), inositol-triphosphate 3-kinase (IP3K), oxytocin receptor-OTR, prostaglandin (PGF)2α receptor-PGFR, muscarinic receptor-MAChR and estrogen receptor (ER) isoforms α and β. Levels of estradiol and progesterone in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Results: Ex-vivo contraction study revealed the force of uterine contraction increased with increasing doses of MPE. In addition, expression of CaM, MLCK, SERCA, Gα, Gβ, IP3K, OTR, PGF2α, MAChR, Erα and ERβ in the uterus increased with increasing doses of MPE. Serum analysis indicate that estradiol levels decreased while progesterone levels remained low at day-8 post-partum in rats receiving 250 and 500 mg/kg/day MPE. Conclusions: These findings support the claims that MPE help to firm the uterus and pave the way for its use as a uterotonic agent after delivery. © 2019 Elsevier B.V
Commercial kitchenware glass as a potential thermoluminescent media for retrospective dosimetry
No full textStudy has been made of the thermoluminescence (TL) yield of various glass-based commercial kitchenware (Reko-China, Skoja-France, Godis-China, Glass Tum-Malaysia, Lodrat-France). Interest focuses on their potential for retrospective dosimetry. Use was made of a 60 Co gamma-ray irradiator, delivering doses in the range 2–10 Gy. Results for the various media show all the glassware brands to yield linearity of response against dose, with a lower limit of detection of ∼0.06 and ∼0.08 Gy for loose and compact powdered samples. Among all of the brands under study, the Lodrat glassware provides the greatest sensitivity, at 6.0 E+02 nC g −1 Gy −1 and 1.5E+03 nC g −1 Gy −1 for compact- and loose-powdered forms respectively. This is sufficiently sensitive to allow its use as a TL material for accident dosimetry (2 Gy being the threshold dose for the onset of a number of deterministic biological effects, including skin erythema and sterility). Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses have been conducted, showing the presence of a number of impurities (including C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, Ca and Br). Fading of the irradiated glasses show the amount of better than 3% and 5% of the stored energy for both loose and compact powdered samples within 9 days post irradiation. As such, commercial kitchenware glass has the potential to act as relatively good TL material for gamma radiation dosimetry at accident levels. This is the first endeavour reporting the TL properties of low cost commercial kitchenware glasses for gamma-ray doses in the few Gy range, literature existing for doses from 8 Gy to 200 Gy. © 2019 Elsevier Lt
Observations of scrotal mass, liver mass, haemolytic jaundice, and central vestibular disorder in brugia pahangi-infected dogs
No full textBrugia pahangi is known to infect humans and dogs. Its associated symptoms and complications, however, have not been fully understood in dogs. Herein, we reported the observations of B. pahangi infections in dogs with scrotal mass, liver mass, haemolytic jaundice, and central vestibular disorder. © 2019, Malaysian Society for Parasitology. All rights reserved