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Development and Validation of a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire for Sabah’s MultiEthnic Specific Dietary Practices
Get PDFAssessing dietary practices is valuable in public health research. Longterm habitual food intake is often the study of interest, and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is considered as the most appropriate method in this case. This study aimed to develop and assess the construct validity and reliability of a semi-quantitative FFQ. A total of 50 adults participated in the development of the FFQ, with 30 participants took part in the validity and reliability study. The FFQ consisting of 137 food items from 13 food groups was compared with a two-day dietary record (2DR) as the reference method. The reliability of the FFQ was assessed by repeated administration of the questionnaire (FFQ2). Validation study demonstrated fair acceptance of the FFQ. Mean intake of energy in FFQ and 2DR correlated well, with the mean intake of energy, carbohydrates and protein tend to be higher in FFQ. Bland Altman plot and linear regression model demonstrated fairly good agreement for both energy and fat intake between FFQ and 2DR. Reliability of the FFQ assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) showed excellent reliability (ICC=0.982, 95% CI=0.963-0.992), with strong correlation of mean food frequency intake between FFQ1 and FFQ2, and a higher mean of intake frequency in FFQ1. Cronbach’s alpha demonstrated excellent internal consistency of the 170 items with α=.945. The FFQ has an excellent reliability and acceptable validity for measuring the average intake of energy and macronutrients among adults in Sabah
Analysis of urban land use changes in Xingtai City from the year 2000 to 2020 for urban development planning
Get PDFLand use changes as a result of urban development are inevitable. This study is based on three aspects: spatial and temporal land use changes, spatial distribution characteristics, and the state of land resource development today. In this study, the land use status of Xingtai City over the previous 20 years is systematically examined using the global and local Moran's I value, information entropy for land use structures, and land use extent models. The results indicate that, firstly, the built-up land in Xingtai City has rapidly increased while farmland land has continued to decline, with a decrease of 9.93% in farmland and an increase of 84.16% in built-up land. Secondly, the utilisation rate of land resources in Xingtai City has increased annually, as has the l information entropy for land use structures, the extent of land use, and the comprehensive land use dynamic extent index. Qiaoxi District and Qiaodong District have the most significant upward trend. And thirdly, the land use types in the study area exhibit spatial aggregation characteristics, and single land use type cold and hot spots demonstrate spatial clustering
The effect of green technology policy on climate change awareness of youth in Sabah, Malaysia
Get PDFThe role to mitigate climate change issue should be embark among youth. This study examines the effects of green technology policy on climate change awareness of youth in Sabah, Malaysia. Using a random sampling method, this study involved 254 respondents from four areas of Sabah namely Tawau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, and Kota Kinabalu. This study used two approaches which are i) probit model and ii) two-stage least squares method. We find a positive effect between youth’ positive perceptions on green technology policy on their climate change awareness. In addition, the effect becomes five times higher when we address the endogeneity problem in model estimation using the two-stage least squares method and identification strategy based on the prospect theory. This study has highlighted the great impact of youth in implementing green technology to reduce climate change issues in Malaysia in general
Deoxygenation of waste sludge palm oil into hydrocarbon rich fuel over carbon-supported bimetallic tungsten-lanthanum catalyst
Get PDFActivated carbon (AC) supported catalysts have been extensively applied as deoxygenation (DO) catalysts. However, the details of in situ experimental investigations that relevant to this catalyst are limited. Hereby, we present a series of operando/in situ spectroscopic experiments for DO of waste sludge palm oil (WSPO) by using atomically dispersed La-W bimetallic supported AC catalysts (La-W/AC) with well-defined structures. The La(5%)- W(2%)/AC catalyst prepared through co-precipitation (CP) process rendered high surface area (741 m2 /g) and catalyst’s acidity (13319.16 µmol/g). Besides, the catalyst demonstrated a superior catalytic performance of DO reactivity under optimal reaction conditions of 0.5 % catalyst loading (CL), a one hour reaction time (Rt), and 250 ◦C reaction temperature (RT), achieving 98 % WSPO conversion to green fuel turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.0153 s-1. The reusability of La(5%)-W(2%)/AC catalyst was positively active for eight runs of DO process with constant of conversion rate at > 87 %. In addition, DO mechanism was of WSPO model compound (palmitic acid) was conducted to gain the clearer insight of reaction pathway catalysed by La-W/C catalyst. In situ FTIR analysis confirms the presence of intermediates (e.g. n-heptadecane, n-pentadecane, n-nonane, n-tridecane, and trimethylcyclopentene) that attributed buy the acid site of the heteropoly acid support. Besides, in situ XAS spectroscopy consolidates the oxidation state of La and W, where the presence of metal centre, support and substrate were confirmed to reflect the occurrence of palmitic acid DO on atomically dispersed La and W active sites. Thus, the present findings identified several key product intermediates during DO process, as well as the stable-state of catalyst structure, which suggest that the atomically dispersed La(5%)-W(2%)/AC catalysed reactions follow an unconventional decarboxylation/decarbonylation reaction pathways with the activation of oxygen (O2) removing is rate limiting
Segmental thoracic spinal anesthesia for abdominal surgery; a report of three cases
Get PDFSegmental thoracic spinal anesthesia (STSA) has recently been introduced in clinical practice, but still is not a common procedure. Although there have been some concerns about its potential complications, the method may benefit a specific subset of patients. We present the case reports of three patients, who were operated upon using the STSA technique. Two were performed as emergency procedures, and the third was an elective one. One of the three patients required minimal sedation near the end of the surgery, but none required general anesthesia or intensive care support. All patients recovered completely without complications and were discharged on Day 2. In certain patients, STSA may be a safe and beneficial alternative to general anesthesia. To demonstrate its potential benefit, risks, and use as a routine technique, adequately powered randomised, controlled clinical trials are required
Improving pH buffering capacity of an acid soil to regulate nutrient retention and mitigate water pollution using Calciprill and sodium silicate
Get PDFIn the tropics, high rainfalls and hot temperatures cause the formation of highly weathered acid soils with low pH buffering capacity (pHBC). Such soils are prone to nutrient losses via leaching, surface runoff, and volatilization. The poor nutrient retention of the highly weathered soils can cause environmental pollution in water bodies and detrimentally affect aquatic ecosystem. A preliminary study was conducted by mixing an acid soil (Bekenu series, Typic Paleudults) with Calciprill (80 %, 90 %, and 100 % Ca saturation) and sodium silicate (90, 105, 120, 135, and 150 kg ha⁻¹) to determine the effects of the amendments on pH and pHBC of Bekenu series. Furthermore, a soil incubation study was carried out to determine the relationship between pH, pHBC, and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) after the soil was applied with Calciprill and sodium silicate and incubated for 40, 80, and 120 days. After the soil was harvested, the relationship between pHBC with soil exchangeable ammonium (NH₄⁺), available nitrate (NO₃⁻), and available phosphorus (P) to determine whether the combined use of Calciprill and sodium silicate is able to mitigate N and P losses through surface runoff and leaching to contaminate the surface and underground water bodies. The results from the studies showed that Calciprill and sodium silicate significantly increased soil pH and pHBC of Bekenu series. Notably, in the soil incubation study, the treatments with Calciprill and sodium silicate consistently improved pHBC compared with the soil without these amendments, suggesting that C2S4 (Calciprill at 90 % Ca saturation and sodium silicate at 135 kg ha⁻¹) is the minimum amount of the amendments required to improve the pHBC of Bekenu series. The significant positive correlation between pH, pHBC, and ECEC throughout the soil incubation study indicates that the amendments are capable of improving pHBC of the Bekenu series when the pH and ECEC increase because of their alkalinity in addition to the presence of carbonate and silicate minerals. The significant positive correlations between pHBC with exchangeable NH₄⁺ and available P at 40 and 80 DAI suggest that the Calciprill and sodium silicate can improve NH₄⁺ and P availability for crop uptake. On the contrary, the significant negative correlation between pHBC and available NO₃⁻ at 80 DAI also suggests that the combined use of amendments can significantly reduce the NO contamination in water bodies because of improved pHBC. The most suitable combination for improving soil pH, ECEC, and pHBC is C2S4 (Calciprill at 90 % Ca saturation and sodium silicate at 135 kg ha⁻) and it is possible to co-apply Calciprill and sodium silicate to mitigate NO₃⁻ contamination in water bodies. To further validate the findings of this study, greenhouse study is recommended to elucidate the plant-soil interactions
Exploring the Feasibility of Estrogen Replacement Therapy as a Treatment for Perimenopausal Depression: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Get PDFPerimenopausal depression (PMD) is a psychological disorder that occurs in women during perimenopause. In addition to the common clinical symptoms of depression, it often manifests as a perimenopausal complication, and its notable cause is the decline in estrogen levels. Despite numerous studies and trials confirming the benefits of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for PMD, ERT remains unapproved for treating PMD. Therefore, we conducted a literature search using selected keywords in PubMed and Google Scholar to write a review discussing the feasibility of using ERT for PMD. This review examines the potential of ERT for PMD in terms of its underlying mechanisms, efficacy, safety, and time window. These four aspects suggest that ERT is a viable option for PMD treatment. However, the risk of thrombosis and stroke with ERT is a matter of contention among medical experts, with a paucity of clinical data. Consequently, further clinical trial data are required to ascertain the safety of ERT
Engineering properties of cement-paste with polypropylene and carbon fibres
Get PDFConcrete has strong compressive strength, but it is brittle and vulnerable to tensioninduced failure. To address the issue, this research investigated the effect of the addition of fibre on the engineering properties of cement paste. There were two fibres examined in this study, which include polypropylene fibre (PF) and carbon fibre (CF). The engineering properties that were studied include flowability, hardened density, compressive strength, and flexural strength at 7, 28, and 56 days. The results indicated that the addition of fibre had only subtle effects on workability, attributed to a judiciously chosen low-volume fraction of fibres. Notably, a consistent increase in hardened density, compressive strength, and flexural strength was observed over the curing period, driven by ongoing hydration processes. Therefore, it can be concluded that the incorporation of PF and CF significantly improved cement paste engineering properties, outperforming the control specimen in hardened density, compressive strength, and flexural strength
Impak polisi kolonial dan krisis global terhadap sekuriti makanan di Nigeria (1900-1920)
Get PDFArtikel ini mengkaji kesan dasar kolonial British dan krisis global seperti Perang Dunia I dan pandemik Selesema Sepanyol terhadap sekuriti makanan di Nigeria dari tahun 1900 hingga 1920. Melalui pendekatan penyelidikan pelbagai kaedah yang merangkumi analisis dokumen sejarah dan analisis perbandingan dengan wilayah lain, kajian ini mendedahkan dinamik kompleks yang membentuk landskap pertanian dan sekuriti makanan Nigeria dalam tempoh kritikal ini. Penyelidikan itu menyerlahkan bagaimana strategi ekonomi kolonial yang bertujuan untuk mengintegrasikan Nigeria ke dalam pasaran global melalui penanaman tanaman tunai secara signifikan mengganggu sistem pengeluaran makanan tempatan. Pada masa yang sama, permintaan Perang Dunia I untuk sumber dan tenaga kerja mengalihkan perhatian dan sumber daripada pertanian sara diri, dan telah memburukkan lagi isu kekurangan makanan. Keadaan bertambah buruk dengan pandemik Selesema Sepanyol pada 1918-1919, yang memusnahkan penduduk, termasuk buruh pertanian yang penting, seterusnya menjejaskan sekuriti makanan. Kajian ini menyumbang kepada pemahaman sejarah sekuriti makanan di Nigeria dengan menyediakan analisis bernuansa tentang cara penjajahan, konflik global dan penyakit pandemik secara kolektif mempengaruhi amalan pertanian, ketersediaan makanan dan keputusan dasar. Penemuan ini menekankan kepentingan untuk mempertimbangkan konteks sejarah dalam merangka strategi sekuriti makanan kontemporari dan penggubalan dasar, terutamanya di wilayah yang mempunyai legasi penjajah yang serupa. Dengan mengambil pengajaran daripada masa lalu, artikel ini menawarkan pandangan untuk menangani cabaran sekuriti makanan pada masa kini dan akan datang, menekankan keperluan untuk amalan pertanian yang berdaya tahan dan mampan yang boleh menahan kejutan luaran
Exploring the views of Malaysian hoteliers about survival during the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFIt is undeniable that a sudden emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic would have certain effects on tourism, as well as the hospitality industry in Malaysia. Hence, this paper aims to closely examine the views and reactions displayed in crisis management practices pursued by hotel managers for the survival of their businesses during the pandemic. To do so, in-depth interviews were conducted, involving managers from Malaysian hotels of varying calibers (five managers from 3-star hotels, and four managers from5-star hotels). Results showcased that certain labour actions (e.g., unpaid leave, salary cuts and layoffs) were the first and most favoured options for companies to consider in response to COVID-19. Nonetheless, this may lead to a shortage of trained staff when the hospitality industry recovers in the coming years. Another way to counter the pandemic was to rely on digital marketing and promotion to increase hotel occupancy rates during the crisis. Additionally, there were also ideas involving governmental support for the hotels during the pandemic