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    58178 research outputs found

    Job Demands, Job Resources And Work-Life Balance Among The Academicians In The Private Universities In Egypt: The Moderating Role Of Self-Efficacy

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    Work-life balance is essential for all individuals; it increases job satisfaction and life satisfaction and reduces stress, leading to internal happiness and contentment. However, work-life balance is a significant problem among academicians working in Egypt's top 10 private universities. Thus, recognising the factors that affect the academicians' work-life balance is essential. Firstly, this study developed an integrative model using the Job Demands and Resources (JD-R) Theory and the Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory to test the effect of job demands: workload, mental demands, and emotional demands on work-life balance. Secondly, it investigates the effect of job resources: supervisor support, co-worker support, and decision authority on work-life balance. This study also recognises the importance of personal resources among academicians; hence, it examines the moderating effect of self-efficacy on the relationship between job demands, job resources, and work-life balance. Data were collected from 504 academicians employed in the top 10 private universities in Egypt. SPSS and Partial Least Square-Structure Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) were used for data analysis. The findings showed that workload, mental and emotional demands significantly and negatively affected work-life balance. Moreover, co-worker support and decision authority had a significant and positive effect on work-life balance

    Evaluation of high-dose rate (HDR) radiobiologic dose-equivalent web tool for cervical cancer

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    Following successful precision and timing accuracy phases, the next step is a comprehensive evaluation of the web application versus the Microsoft Excel template. Testing with clinical data ensures robustness. Documentation and training for medical physicists are essential. Implementation will start with a pilot group, followed by full-scale deployment. Evaluation of BED and EQD2 values reveals minimal deviations, indicating high comparability. For target tissue, BED deviation is 0.048% and EQD2 is 0.008%. The bladder shows a BED deviation of 0.055% and EQD2 of 0.073%. The rectum has a BED deviation of 0.014% and EQD2 of 0.029%. For the sigmoid, the BED deviation is 0.035% and EQD2 is 0.142%. All deviations are within the 3% tolerance limit. The web application completes the full treatment in 138.69 seconds, compared to 202.67 seconds for Excel, with a TER of 1.46. For the first additional patient, the web application takes 96.84 seconds, while Excel takes 107.11 seconds, giving a TER of 1.11. For the second additional patient, the web application takes 94.77 seconds versus 78.66 seconds for Excel, with a TER of 0.83. Despite occasional exceptions, the web application is generally more time-efficient and reliable

    Histochemical, biochemical and ultrastructural assessment on mitochondrial functions in patients with non-syndromic cleft lip

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    Non-syndromic cleft lip/ palate (NSCL/P) is one of the congenital malformations that affects upper lip and/ or palate of an infant. Despite intensive research, the underlying factors of this craniofacial deformity are still vague. It is believed that oral clefts have a complex aetiology including genetic and environmental factors. The pathogenesis of clefts occurs during the embryonic phase, hence, the role of mitochondria in regulating cells during this phase is crucial. Inconsistent findings have been discovered by previous studies, therefore, the association of mitochondrial metabolic defects with cleft pathogenesis remains vague. Therefore, we aim to discover the role of mitochondria in cleft tissues of our population to obtain extensive findings. In this study, the objective is to explore the histological alteration of orbicularis oris muscle and the role of mitochondria in terms of their structure and activity in causing cleft lip formation. Cleft lip tissues were obtained from consented patients with non-syndromic cleft lip, whereas control normal tissues were obtained from consented patients who were unaffected by cleft lip. A normal human primary gingival fibroblast was used as a control for the assay. Forty cleft lip tissues and seven controls were obtained and processed according to the respective analysis: haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), modified Gomori trichrome, cytochrome c-oxidase (COX), adenosine triphosphatase (ATP-ase), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay. Histological and histochemical findings were analysed using a light microscope and imaging cellSens software, ultrastructural findings were examined using JEOL JEM2100F Field Emission TEM, and a statistical analysis of ATP assay was analysed using independent samples t-test. A few skin conditions, such as inflammation in the epidermal layer and Fordyce spot formation, were noted in the cleft lip tissues. The presence of the pathological hallmark of mitochondrial myopathy, which is ragged red fibers, and the presence of novel COX-negative fibers were observed in the tissues of cleft lip. Also, light microscopy revealed fibrotic and disorganised fibers, including a high percentage of type II fibers. A minimal accumulation of mitochondria and lipid droplets in the fibers were detected by electron microscopy. By means of biochemical assessment, ATP concentrations were significantly lower in cleft tissues compared to the control (P = 0.0344). The report on the series of mitochondrial myopathic features in patients with non-syndromic cleft lip provides more evidence and further supports the hypothesis that a metabolic defect at the mitochondrial level occurs in non-syndromic cleft lip

    BBT309 - Plant Structure and Evolution [Struktur dan Evolusi Tumbuhan]

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    First Semester Examination 2023/2024 Academic Session February 2024 BBT309 - Plant Structure and Evolution [Struktur dan Evolusi Tumbuhan] Duration: 2 hours [Masa: 2 jam

    BST402- Ecology of Invasive Species(Ekologi Spesies lnvasif)

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    First Semester Examination 2023/2024 Academic Session February 2024 BST402- Ecology of Invasive Species (Ekologi Spesies lnvasif) Duration : 2 hours (Masa : 2 jam

    BTT404- Genetic Engineering(Kejuruteraan Genetik)

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    First Semester Examination 2023/2024 Academic Session February 2024 BTT404- Genetic Engineering (Kejuruteraan Genetik) Duration : 2 hours (Masa : 2 jam

    BDT212/BBT305 – Plant Physiology and Development (Fisiologi dan Perkembangan Tumbuhan)

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    Second Semester Examination 2023/2024 Academic Session July/August 2024 BDT212/BBT305 – Plant Physiology and Development (Fisiologi dan Perkembangan Tumbuhan) Duration : 2 hours (Masa : 2 jam

    BET223/BET306 – Insect Ecology (Ekologi Serangga)

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    Second Semester Examination 2023/2024 Academic Session July/August 2024 BET223/BET306 – Insect Ecology (Ekologi Serangga) Duration: 2 hours (Masa: 2 jam

    Questionnaire development and determination of factors associated with knowledge, attitude and practice on provision of long-acting reversible contraception among primary healthcare workers in Kelantan

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    Background: Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is an important strategy in preventing unintended pregnancies, but its utilisation in Malaysia remains low. Healthcare workers (HCWs) can significantly influence LARC uptake, thus assessing their knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) on LARC provision is important. Objective: The aim was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice on the provision of LARC and their associated factors among primary HCWs in Kelantan using a newly developed questionnaire. Methodology: The study was conducted from October 2022 to September 2023, involving HCWs in government health clinics in Kelantan. It is comprised of two phases. Phase 1 focused on developing and validating a new questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed through a literature review, expert consultations and discussions with HCWs. Then, the questionnaire was validated using content validity, cognitive interviews and psychometric evaluation of internal structure. The knowledge section underwent a two-parameter logistic item response theory (2-PL IRT) analysis. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted for the attitude and practice sections. This psychometric validation involved 444 randomly selected HCWs. Subsequently, Phase 2 involved a cross-sectional study assessing KAP and associated factors among 190 randomly selected HCWs from four districts in Kelantan. The newly validated self-administered questionnaire was utilised. Total scores were transformed into percentage scores. The data was then subjected to descriptive analysis and linear regression for comprehensive evaluation. The dependent variables were the KAP scores. Results: The new questionnaire, named ‘KAPP-LARC’, comprised 39 final items across three sections: 15 in knowledge, 13 in attitude and 11 in practice. The knowledge section displayed acceptable difficulty and discrimination values. The final model for the attitude and practice section exhibited satisfactory model fitness, with all factors having acceptable composite reliability, indicated by Raykov’s rho values greater than 0.60. The total mean percentage scores for knowledge, attitude and practice were 69.1%, 48.1% and 64.1%, respectively. Notably, knowledge regarding LARC provision was positively associated with being a doctor (adjusted b = 8.40; 95% CI: 3.76, 13.05; p<0.001), receiving formal LARC training (adjusted b = 7.47; 95% CI: 2.81, 12.12; p=0.002) and awareness of LARC insertion services in healthcare facilities (adjusted b = 8.92; 95% CI: 0.82, 17.02; p=0.031). Moreover, HCWs with more years of experience in Maternal and Child Health exhibited more positive attitudes (adjusted b =0.36; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.50; p<0.001) and practices (adjusted b = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.43, 1.04; p<0.001) towards LARC provision. Conclusion: The questionnaire exhibited satisfactory psychometric properties and reliability, making it a suitable instrument for assessing KAP regarding LARC provision among HCWs. Overall, the scores for knowledge and practice were relatively higher than the scores for attitude. Focusing on training, especially on nurses, awareness of service and Maternal and Child Health experience could contribute to the improvement of LARC provision

    Measurement of mass attenuation coefficient of paraffin wax by using low energy x-ray

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    This study explores the mass attenuation coefficient properties of paraffin wax at kilovoltage x-ray energies and compares these properties with those of solid water phantom, water, and Perspex, which are commonly used to mimic human tissue. Using the Half-Value Layer (HVL) method, we determined the effective energies for 60, 81, and 125 kVp, finding values of 35.22, 37.57, and 41.20 keV, respectively. The results showed that mass attenuation coefficients were highest at lower effective energies and decreased with higher energies, consistent with the behaviour of the photoelectric effect. Besides, it was noted that the variation of x-ray transmission factor, ln (I0/I) was linear with the increased of phantom thickness. Additionally, we assessed the percentage deviations of the mass attenuation coefficients of solid water phantom, Perspex, and paraffin wax from those of water, emphasizing water's role as a reference material due to its radiological similarity to human tissues. The results obtained were validated against theoretical values from XCOM software, confirming the accuracy of our methods. Current study suggested that the maximum deviation of mass attenuation coefficient obtained experimentally in comparison to that of XCOM were 25% for water, 27% for Perspex, 8.4% for paraffin wax, and 44% for solid water phantom. This study supports the use of paraffin wax as a cost-effective tissue equivalent material for radiological applications and provides a solid foundation for future research and practical use in diagnostic radiology and quality assurance

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