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Awareness, Attitudes And Perceptions Of Drive-Thru Community Pharmacy Service During Covid-19 Among Community Pharmacists And General Public In Malaysia: A Mixed Methods Study
Get PDFThere is a lack of attention to drive-thru services in the community pharmacy setting, particularly during the COVID-19 period in Malaysia. Previous studies focused on the drive-thru pharmacy services limited to the government hospitals or before COVID-19. To effectively assess the drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19 in Malaysia, it is essential to explore the perceptions of service providers (community pharmacists) and the general public towards this service. Mixed methods techniques (qualitative and quantitative) were used in this research work. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted among 25 community pharmacists. Thematic analysis of the qualitative study yielded seven major themes as follows: 1-familiarity with drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19, 2-willingness toward this service during COVID-19, 3-perceived benefits toward drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19, 4-perceived disadvantages toward this service, 5-barriers toward drive-thru community pharmacy service, 6-factors affecting the preference toward this service, and 7-facilitators to drive-thru community pharmacy service. The major findings from the qualitative part of this research work are that community pharmacists reported positive attitudes toward drive-thru community pharmacy service during COVID-19. However, concerns about poor communication between the pharmacist and the patient, limited counseling, and dispensing errors were acknowledged
Keberkesanan Permainan Stem-Periodic Table Traveller Dalam Meningkatkan Kefahaman Jadual Berkala Unsur Dan Motivasi Pembelajaran Kimia Dalam Kalangan Pelajar Tingkatan Empat
Get PDFKajian ini memperkenalkan permainan pembelajaran GBL STEM-PTTraveller dalam pengajaran dan pembelajaran topik Jadual Berkala Unsur (JBU) yang digunakan untuk meningkatkan kefahaman topik JBU dan motivasi pembelajaran kimia di kalangan pelajar tingkatan empat. GBL STEM-PTTraveller yang dibangunkan adalah dalam bentuk permainan papan (board game) yang mempunyai konsep permainan yang menarik dan inovatif serta diintegrasikan dengan elemen STEM Bersepadu. Kajian ini menggunakan reka bentuk gabungan embedded yang melibatkan eksperimen kuasi. Sampel kajian melibatkan seramai 85 orang pelajar tingkatan empat (44 orang kumpulan eksperimen dan 41 orang kumpulan kawalan) daripada sebuah sekolah di daerah Kinta Selatan, Perak. Data kuantitatif didapatkan menggunakan Instrumen ujian kefahaman Jadual Berkala Unsur dan soal selidik motivasi pembelajaran kimia digunakan dalam ujian pra dan ujian pasca. Data kualitatif didapatkan melalui temu bual pra dan pasca daripada 10 orang pelajar (5 dari Kumpulan Eksperimen dan 5 dari Kumpulan Kawalan). Melalui Ujian Multivariat Kovarian (MANCOVA) menunjukkan bahawa GBL STEM-PTTraveller adalah berkesan bagi meningkatkan pemahaman pelajar dalam topik Jadual Berkala Unsur (Wilk’s Lambda = 0.55; F (3,80) = 21.976; p<.05, eta kuasa dua=0.452) dengan 45% keseluruhan varian dalam ujian pasca adalah disebabkan kesan rawatan GBL STEM-PTTraveller
Characterisation Of Pectate Lyase Pelq1 From Saccharobesus Litoralis
Get PDFThe pelQ1 gene from the marine bacterium Saccharobesus litoralis CCB-QB4 encodes a pectate lyase that consists of two domains, which are polysaccharide lyase family 1 (PL1) and carbohydrate-binding module family 13 (CBM13). CBM13 which is involved in substrate binding is often found in pectate lyases (Pels) from marine sources but not terrestrial sources. Moreover, the study of marine Pels is lacking since pectin is not one of the major sources of carbohydrates in the marine environment. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the cleaving mechanism of PelQ1 by comparing the activity of the full-length enzyme (PelQ1-Full) and the truncated enzyme with CBM13 removed (PelQ1-PL1). Both enzymes were cloned, purified, characterized, and their cleaving mechanisms were elucidated. PelQ1-Full exolytically cleaved the substrate polygalacturonic acid (PGA) to produce a majority of unsaturated trigalacturonic acid; however, it cleaved the citrus pectin (CP) into a majority of unsaturated digalacturonic acid when high enzyme concentrations were used. PelQ1-Full worked in an optimal condition of pH 9.0, 30°C, and 0.6 mM CaCl2. Comparison between the two enzymes showed that there was a slightly higher catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM) towards PGA than CP, while TLC results showed that the CBM13 domain might help substrate binding. The AlphaFold homology model of the PL1 domain showed that it had a structure of parallel β-helix and a high sequence similarity with PelC of Dickeya dadantii. The CBM13 domain showed a structure of β-trefoil fold similar to other CBM13 domains
Predicting Physical Activity Behaviours Among Chinese University Students: An Application Of Expanded Health Action Process Approach
Get PDFInsufficient physical activity (PA) among Chinese university students has
become widespread and is a major cause of their low levels of physical fitness and
various health problems. Effectively promoting PA requires accurately identifying
psychological determinants and understanding the psychological mechanisms
underlying PA formation. This study investigates the intrapersonal and interpersonal
psychological predictors of PA behaviours among Chinese university students using
the expanded Health Action Process Approach (EHAPA). A stratified random cluster
sampling technique was employed to collect survey responses from 1,143 participants
across six universities in five cities in southern Jiangsu, China. An explanatory
sequential mixed methods design was used, beginning with a quantitative survey
followed by qualitative interviews to explain the quantitative findings. For the
quantitative research, ANOVA was conducted using IBM SPSS 26 to examine mean
score differences in EHAPA constructs across different PA level groups and mindset
groups. Structural equation modelling using IBM AMOS 26 evaluated predictors of
PA behaviour and the mediating effects of planning. Multiple-group analysis
examined the moderating effects of gender, Body Mass Index (BMI), and mindset
group on the direct pathways predicting PA behaviour. The results show significant
differences in maintenance self-efficacy (MSE), planning, social support (SS), and
recovery self-efficacy (RSE) among different PA level groups
Green Synthesized Ceo2 Nanostructures On Ceo2 And Eu Doped Ceo2 As Passivation Layer For Silicon Based Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Devices
Get PDFThis research presented a green synthesis of cerium oxide (CeO2) nanostructures using P. amaryllifolius leaves extract deposited on CeO2 and Europium (Eu3+) doped CeO2 as passivation layer for silicon-based metal-oxide-semiconductor devices. The effects of adding monoethanolamine (MEA) and CeO2 seed layers for the growth of CeO2 nanostructures were investigated. Findings revealed that CeO2 seed layers played an important role in yielding a lower leakage current density (J) (~ 2.5 x 10-6 A cm-2 at gate voltage (Vg) = 2V) when compared with MEA addition due to the improvement of oxygen-rich condition in the CeO2 samples by the seed layers. The effects of post-deposition annealing temperature (600, 700, 800, 900˚C) and ambient (nitrogen-oxygen-nitrogen, forming gas-oxygen-forming, and argon-oxygen-argon) onto structural, morphological, optical, and electrical characteristics of CeO2 and Eu3+-doped CeO2 seed layers were studied. Optimisation of the findings showed that a better J-Vg characteristic was achieved at 800˚C regardless of ambient while the use of nitrogen-oxygen-nitrogen outperformed other ambient because of the passivation of nitrogen to reduce the formation of low dielectric constant (k) silicon dioxide at the CeO2/Si interface. The growth of CeO2 nanostructures on 1 layer of CeO2 seed layer surpassing other samples having 3, 5, and 7 layers has attained good results in terms of a high k value (16.19), a large direct bandgap (3.98 eV), a low J of 5.07 x 10-11 A cm-2 at Vg = 5V as well as large breakdown voltage (12.82 V)
Job Demand-Resources And Performance Among Physicians In The Jordan Public Hospital
Get PDFPhysicians play an important role in healthcare systems, and their work performance has a direct impact on patient outcomes and overall care quality. This research explored the direct association between job demands, job resources, burnout, and job satisfaction among Jordanian physicians. Furthermore, this examination investigated the relationship between job satisfaction and job performance. This study evaluated the mediating role of job satisfaction on the relationship between job demands-resources and job performance. This study examined the moderated mediation effect of empowering leadership and safety climate on the relationship between job demands, resources, and job performance via job satisfaction. The job demands-resources theory served as the foundation for this study. In this research, a total of 375 physicians from public hospitals in Jordan were employed as the sample of this study using the cluster sampling technique. Smart PLS version 3.3.3 and SPSS version 26.0 were used to examine the data. The findings reveal that skill variety, autonomy, task identity, job feedback, and job security have a significant positive connection with job satisfaction, while there is an insignificant link between job significance with job satisfaction. In addition, emotional demands, and quantitative demands have a negative and significant association with job satisfaction. Job satisfaction has a significant positive association with job performance. Burnout has a significant negative association with job satisfaction
Evaluation Of Pre-Storage Leucoreduction Effect On Pro And Anti-Tumour Cytokines In Whole Blood During Storage
Get PDFThe presence of white blood cells (WBCs) and cytokines in whole blood (WB) during storage may have effect on cancer patients requiring blood transfusions. This study aims to determine the residual of WBCs in WB following leucoreduction and changes in cytokine levels which occur during storage of WB. A total of 31 donors were recruited in this study. Three hundred fifty millilitre of whole blood (WB) was withdrawn from each donor. Half of the blood volume (175 mL) were leucoreduced (LR), while the other half (175 mL) were not leucoreduced and used as a control. Full blood count (FBC) was done using Sysmex KX-21, Japan and residual WBCs subsets were measured using FACSCanto™ II Beckton Dickinson, USA. Cytokines levels from plasma non LR and LR bags on day 0, 10, 20, and 30 days was measured by ELISA method. T-helper (Th) lymphocyte subgroups and gene expression were analysed in the non-LR samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean of all FBC parameters and residual WBCs subsets between these two groups (p < 0.05). Levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were not detected in both bags during storage. There was a significant difference in TGF-β and IFN-γ between non-LR and LR on day 0 to day 10. TGF-β level showed an increase up to day 30. T-bet, GATA-3, and Foxp3 gene expression were detected in non-LR samples. Leucoreduction demonstrated a significant effect on blood parameters, cytokine levels, and gene expression, emphasizing its importance in WB storage
Trends and factors associated with tuberculosis-related mortality during the intensive phase of anti-tuberculosis treatment in Johor from 2013 to 2022
Get PDFBackground: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health challenge. In Malaysia, recent TB data reveal a significant deviation from the targets set by the End TB Strategy, with a 28% increase in TB fatalities in 2022 compared to 2021. Despite extensive TB control efforts, Johor state has witnessed fluctuating mortality rates during the intensive phase (IP) of anti-TB treatment, underscoring the need for an in-depth analysis of associated factors.
Objective: This study aimed to describe the proportion and trends of TB-related mortality and its associated factors during the IP of anti-TB treatment in Johor from 2013 to 2022.
Methods: A case-control study was conducted in January 2024 until the end of May 2024 using secondary data from the MyTB system. The proportion of TB-related mortality and total of TB cases were calculated based on the data extracted from MyTB system with no sampling method applied, A case (n=372) consists of a TB patient who dies due to TB during the IP and the the control group (n=1671) was randomly selected from TB cases who survived during the IP. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were employed for data analysis using SPSS version 29.
Results: The proportion of TB-related deaths during the intensive phase (IP)IP in Johor from 2013 to 2022 ranged between 0.8% and 3.6%, with 2022 having the highest rate. Of the 2,043 participants, the average age was 49.2 years for cases and 42.5 years for controls. Most were male (76.3%), Malaysian (89.5%), from urban areas (65.1%), HIV-negative (81.5%), had received BCG vaccination (86.8%), were new TB cases (92.2%), had positive sputum AFB (79.3%), were initially treated at government hospitals (88.4%), and did not adhere to DOTS (80.1%). The significant independent risk factors for TB-related mortality during IP were being older than 65 years (AOR: 10.14; 95% CI: 1.27, 80.7; p=0.029), living in an urban area (AOR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.86; p=0.008), HIV-positive (AOR: 2.95; 95% CI: 1.53, 5.69; p=0.001), AFB positive (AOR: 2.42; 95% CI: 1.43, 4.10); p=0.001), far-advanced lesions on chest radiograph (AOR: 14.53; 95% CI: 7.12, 29.64; p<0.001), initiating treatment at a government hospital (AOR: 5.73; 95% CI: 2.07, 15.86; p<0.001), and adherence to DOTS (AOR: 0.009; 95% CI: 0.006, 0.015; p<0.001).[d2][NN3]
Conclusion: This study highlights fluctuating trends in TB-related mortality during the IP, with a notable peak in 2022. Public health strategies should focus on early detection, integrated TB-HIV care, and strict adherence to DOTS, particularly for high-risk populations. In line with the National TB End Strategy, these findings are crucial for guiding future interventions and policies aimed at reducing TB mortality rates and improving treatment outcomes in Johor and similar settings
Proportion of the processed food and ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and its associated factors among adults attending general clinics in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia
Get PDFNutritional-related diseases have emerged as a major public health concern, contributing to premature mortality and significantly impacting the increasing prevalence of obesity, noncommunicable diseases, and cardiovascular disease. Processed food and ultraprocessed food are usually formulated industrially. Ultra-processed food is characterised by its energy- density, reduced nutritious ingredients, and hyperpalatable taste, and it has strong links with adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to determine the proportion of the processed food and ultra-processed food consumption among adults attending general clinics at Hospital USM and its associated factors. This is a cross-sectional study that collected primary data from adults who went to general clinics at Hospital USM using a sociodemographic and Malay-validated food frequency questionnaire based on NOVA classification. We assessed the ultra-processed food diversity score by summing the different ultra-processed foods consumed within a week, which facilitated the classification of low and high consumption. Multiple logistic regression was used to predict factors associated with an increased level of ultra-processed food consumption among adults attending general clinics at Hospital USM. The majority of the respondents were female (64.6%), Malay (90.8%), single (62.2%), and belonged to the B40 household income group (68.1%). The most common ultra-processed foods consumed were packaged bread, yellow noodles, cocoa drinks, and flavoured milk drinks. The proportion of respondents who had a high ultra-processed food diversity score was 54%, indicating more than half had consumed ultra-processed food seven times per week. Screen time (AOR 2.148, 95% CI: 1.181–3.906,
p-value = 0.012), having received financial aid (AOR 2.436, 95% CI: 1.267–4.684, p-value = 0.008), and being unemployed (AOR 2.436, 95% CI: 1.267–4.684, p-value = 0.023) were significantly associated with high consumption of ultra-processed among adults aged 18–39 years old attending general clinics Hospital USM. In conclusion, most adults attending general clinics in Hospital USM consume ultra-processed food regularly. The factors identified in this study may suggest areas of action for policymakers to explore ways to limit ultra-processed food consumption to achieve better health outcomes
Multimodal Sentiment Analysis Of Social Media Through Deep Learning Approach
Get PDFMultimodal Data, Characterized By Its Inherent Complexity And Heterogeneity,
Presents Computational Challenges In Comprehending Social Media Content.
Conventional Approaches To Sentiment Analysis Often Rely On Unimodal Pre-Trained
Models For Feature Extraction From Each Modality, Neglecting The Intrinsic Connections
Of Semantic Information Between Modalities, As They Are Typically Trained On Unimodal
Data. Additionally, Existing Multimodal Sentiment Analysis Methods Primarily Focus On
Acquiring Image Representations While Disregarding The Rich Semantic Information
Contained Within The Images. Furthermore, Current Methods Often Overlook The
Significance Of Color Information, Which Provides Valuable Insights And Significantly
Influences Sentiment Classification. Addressing These Gaps, This Thesis Explores Deep
Learning-Based Methods For Multimodal Sentiment Analysis, Emphasizing The Semantic
Association Between Multimodal Data, Information Interaction, And Color Sentiment
Modelling From The Perspectives Of The Multimodal Representation Layer, The
Multimodal Interaction Layer, And The Color Information Integration Layer. To Mitigate
The Overlooked Semantic Interrelations Between Modalities, The Thesis Introduces "Joint
Representation Learning For Multimodal Sentiment Analysis" Within The
Representation Layer. This Method, Validated By Rigorous Experiments, Showcases A
Marked Improvement In Accuracy, Achieving 76.44% On The Mvsa-Single And 72.29%
On The Mvsa-Multiple Datasets, Surpassing Existing Methodologies. In The Multimodal
Interaction Layer