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Fulltext Ergonomic design of a computer keyboard layout for the Jawi script

Shahrul Kamaruddin, Beng, S.C., Khan, Zahid A.

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2010;18(2):-.
MyJurnal

Due to unavailability of a computer keyboard layout for the Jawi script, users of this script make use of the Arabic keyboard layout for typing texts in this particular script. Obviously, the layout of the Arabic script keyboard is not designed for the ancient writing of the Jawi script. Keeping this in view, a research was conducted to design a new keyboard layout suitable for the users of the Jawi script from an ergonomics point of view, and the outcome of the research is presented in this study. In order to design the Jawi script keyboard layout, the relative finger strengths of both male and female subjects were determined experimentally. The relative frequency of the characters and two special characters (full-stop and comma) that appeared in the script were determined by counting their presence in a large number of texts in the script that represent the workload of the fingers. The keys were rearranged in such a way that the workload of each finger was approximately matched with its relative strength. The newly proposed arrangement of the keys was not much different compared to the Arabic script keyboard layout, and hence it is convenient for users to switch between the layouts.
Fulltext Utilisation of palm – based and beeswax coating on the postharvest-life of guava (Psidium guajava L.) during ambient and chilled storage

Ruzaina, I., Norizzah, A.R., Halimahton Zahrah, M.S., Cheow, C.S., Adi, M.S., Noorakmar, A.W., et al.

International Food Research Journal, 2013;20(1):265-274.
MyJurnal

Guava is a climacteric fruit which has high nutritional content. It is a highly perishable fruit, undergoes rapid postharvest ripening in a few days under ambient condition. This paper aims to determine the effect of palm stearin and palm kernel olein blends on maintaining the quality of guava during storage. Two different coating formulations of palm stearin (PS) and palm kernel olein (PKOo) blends (1:1 and 3:2) were analysed for their slip melting point (SMP), cohesiveness, viscosity and density. Beeswax was used as a commercial coating for comparison whiles the uncoated guava was used as control. These coatings were applied onto guavas by hand-wipe technique using a sponge. Guavas were dried in corrugated fibre board boxes and stored in an air-conditioned room maintained at 20°C while a chiller maintained at 10°C was used for chilled temperature. Coating pick up, thickness and surface area were measured while guava properties were analysed for coating effect on weight loss, O2 and CO2 gases, firmness and glossiness during storage at ambient temperature (20°C) for 21 days and chilled temperature (10ºC) for 30 days. Microstructure analysis was conducted within 2 days of coating at ambient temperature (20ºC). The results obtained indicated that 1:1 PSPKOo blends had higher cohesiveness compared to beeswax. Both PSPKOo blends significantly (p
Fulltext Effect of orange sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) flour on the physical properties of fried extruded fish crackers

Cheow, C.S., Noorakmar, A.W., Norizzah, A.R., Mohd Zahid, A., Ruzaina, I.

International Food Research Journal, 2012;19(2):657-664.
MyJurnal

The effects of orange sweet potato flour addition to tapioca starch on the expansion, oil absorption,
bulk density, water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), hardness and colour of fried extruded fish crackers were investigated. The microstructure properties were assessed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and the sensory properties of fried extruded fish crackers were determined by quantitative descriptive analysis method. The shape and texture of the product were similar to that of normal breakfast cereal. Light brownish and slightly harder texture was obtained with addition of orange sweet potato flour to tapioca starch in the fried extruded fish crackers. The bulk density and water solubility index (WSI) increased with the increase in orange sweet potato flour addition. However, water absorption index (WAI), linear expansion, expansion ratio, volume expansion and oil absorption decreased as the amount of orange sweet potato increased. The microstructure studies revealed that fried extruded fish crackers with high percentage of orange sweet potato flour had small air cells and thick cell wall. The fried extruded fish crackers with 30% fish, 14% orange sweet potato flour and 56% tapioca starch had high crispiness score and accepted by the trained panellists.
Combination of hysteroscopic resection of endomyometrium with insertion of Mirena: An alternative treatment for adenomyosis

Mohd Zahid AZ, Abdul Rahman N, Ahmad ZA

Med J Malaysia, 2021 07;76(4):585-587.
PMID: 34305125

Adenomyosis is a common gynaecological condition encountered in clinical practice. Treatment of adenomyosis can present a great challenge to gynaecologists as women often become resistant to hormonal treatment eventually needing surgical intervention. Hysterectomy has long been the definitive treatment for adenomyosis. However, with women currently being diagnosed at an earlier age and still have not completed their family, there is an increasing demand for effective intervention with uterine conservation. We report here two cases of patients who had undergone a combination of hysteroscopic resection of the endomyometrium combined with Mirena insertion with successful outcome.
Fulltext Evaluating CNC Milling Performance for Machining AISI 316 Stainless Steel with Carbide Cutting Tool Insert

Equbal A, Equbal MA, Equbal MI, Ravindrannair P, Khan ZA, Badruddin IA, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2022 Nov 15;15(22).
PMID: 36431537 DOI: 10.3390/ma15228051

The present study investigates the CNC milling performance of the machining of AISI 316 stainless steel using a carbide cutting tool insert. Three critical machining parameters, namely cutting speed (v), feed rate (f) and depth of cut (d), each at three levels, are chosen as input machining parameters. The face-centred central composite design (FCCCD) of the experiment is based on response surface methodology (RSM), and machining performances are measured in terms of material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (SR). Analysis of variance, response graphs, and three-dimensional surface plots are used to analyse experimental results. Multi-response optimization using the data envelopment analysis based ranking (DEAR) approach is used to find the ideal configuration of the machining parameters for milling AISI 316 SS. The variables v = 220 m/min, f = 0.20 mm/rev and d = 1.2 mm were obtained as the optimal machine parameter setting. Study reveals that MRR is affected dominantly by d followed by v. For SR, f is the dominating factor followed by d. SR is found to be almost unaffected by v. Finally, it is important to state that this work made an attempt to successfully machine AISI 316 SS with a carbide cutting tool insert, to investigate the effect of important machining parameters on MRR and SR and also to optimize the multiple output response using DEAR method.
Urinary incontinence in primigravida: the neglected pregnancy predicament

Abdullah B, Ayub SH, Mohd Zahid AZ, Noorneza AR, Isa MR, Ng PY

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 2016 Mar;198:110-115.
PMID: 26808667 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2016.01.006

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence among primigravida in the third trimester, its risk factors and its effect to quality of life.
STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross sectional study involving primigravida in their third trimester of pregnancy, who attended the Patient Assessment Centre of a tertiary referral hospital in Klang Valley from July 2012 to June 2013. The participants were chosen randomly using convenience sampling. A face-to-face interview and a review of their antenatal record were done by trained interviewers. Data on sociodemographic and risk factors were obtained followed by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF). The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 20.0.
RESULTS: A total of 306 women were involved. The prevalence of urinary incontinence during third trimester was 34.3% (95%CI: 29.0, 39.7). Stress incontinence (64.8%) is the commonest followed by mixed incontinence (24.8%) and urge incontinence (6.7%). Childhood enuresis (p=0.003) and previous history of urinary incontinence (p<0.001) were significantly associated with urinary incontinence. More than 50 percent of women with urinary incontinence in the third trimester felt that it did not affect their daily activities at all. Only 10% of women felt greatly affected by this problem.
CONCLUSION: Urinary incontinence is not uncommon among primigravida however many women did not feel that it affected their quality of life. Childhood enuresis and history of urinary incontinence were proven risk factors.
Implication of Physiological and Biochemical Variables of Prognostic Importance in Lead Exposed Subjects

Malik A, Ashraf MAB, Khan MW, Zahid A, Shafique H, Waquar S, et al.

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 2020 Apr;78(3):329-336.
PMID: 31620805 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-019-00673-2

The use of leaded gasoline adversely affects cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems. Study projects to rule out different variables of prognostic importance in lead-exposed subjects. A total of 317 traffic wardens with 5 years of outdoor experience and Hb levels
Fulltext Assessment of Parents' Perceptions of Childhood Immunization: A Cross-Sectional Study from Pakistan

Hussain A, Zahid A, Malik M, Ansari M, Vaismoradi M, Aslam A, et al.

Children (Basel), 2021 Nov 04;8(11).
PMID: 34828720 DOI: 10.3390/children8111007

Immunization is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, with considerable impacts on people's health. Parents' perception of their knowledge, attitude, and satisfaction is an important factor, as they may be targeted by interventions for better immunization coverage. Therefore, this study aimed to assess parents' perceptions in terms of their knowledge, attitude, and satisfaction of the immunization of their children aged less than two years of age, in two cities of Pakistan. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the vicinity of Rawalpindi and Islamabad from March to August 2019. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for the data collection on a convenient sample of parents. The questionnaire was hand-delivered to the parents by data collectors. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis via SPSS version 22. A total of n = 382 respondents were included in the data analysis. Statistically significant differences were found between the parents' knowledge scores and their education levels and monthly incomes (p < 0.05). Parents with master's education degrees and low monthly incomes had significantly better knowledge (p < 0.05). Additionally, 96.85% of the respondents believed that child immunization was important. In addition, more than half of the respondents (57.58%) thought that the affordability of vaccines was a principal factor for delays in immunization. Although the parents' knowledge regarding the immunization of their children was not adequate, they had positive perceptions toward it.
Fulltext Burden of Diarrhea in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 1990-2013: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013

Khalil I, Colombara DV, Forouzanfar MH, Troeger C, Daoud F, Moradi-Lakeh M, et al.

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2016 Dec 07;95(6):1319-1329.
PMID: 27928080 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0339

Diarrheal diseases (DD) are leading causes of disease burden, death, and disability, especially in children in low-income settings. DD can also impact a child's potential livelihood through stunted physical growth, cognitive impairment, and other sequelae. As part of the Global Burden of Disease Study, we estimated DD burden, and the burden attributable to specific risk factors and particular etiologies, in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) between 1990 and 2013. For both sexes and all ages, we calculated disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), which are the sum of years of life lost and years lived with disability. We estimate that over 125,000 deaths (3.6% of total deaths) were due to DD in the EMR in 2013, with a greater burden of DD in low- and middle-income countries. Diarrhea deaths per 100,000 children under 5 years of age ranged from one (95% uncertainty interval [UI] = 0-1) in Bahrain and Oman to 471 (95% UI = 245-763) in Somalia. The pattern for diarrhea DALYs among those under 5 years of age closely followed that for diarrheal deaths. DALYs per 100,000 ranged from 739 (95% UI = 520-989) in Syria to 40,869 (95% UI = 21,540-65,823) in Somalia. Our results highlighted a highly inequitable burden of DD in EMR, mainly driven by the lack of access to proper resources such as water and sanitation. Our findings will guide preventive and treatment interventions which are based on evidence and which follow the ultimate goal of reducing the DD burden.
Fulltext Predicting the environmental suitability for onchocerciasis in Africa as an aid to elimination planning

Cromwell EA, Osborne JCP, Unnasch TR, Basáñez MG, Gass KM, Barbre KA, et al.

PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2021 07;15(7):e0008824.
PMID: 34319976 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008824

Recent evidence suggests that, in some foci, elimination of onchocerciasis from Africa may be feasible with mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin. To achieve continental elimination of transmission, mapping surveys will need to be conducted across all implementation units (IUs) for which endemicity status is currently unknown. Using boosted regression tree models with optimised hyperparameter selection, we estimated environmental suitability for onchocerciasis at the 5 × 5-km resolution across Africa. In order to classify IUs that include locations that are environmentally suitable, we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to identify an optimal threshold for suitability concordant with locations where onchocerciasis has been previously detected. This threshold value was then used to classify IUs (more suitable or less suitable) based on the location within the IU with the largest mean prediction. Mean estimates of environmental suitability suggest large areas across West and Central Africa, as well as focal areas of East Africa, are suitable for onchocerciasis transmission, consistent with the presence of current control and elimination of transmission efforts. The ROC analysis identified a mean environmental suitability index of 0·71 as a threshold to classify based on the location with the largest mean prediction within the IU. Of the IUs considered for mapping surveys, 50·2% exceed this threshold for suitability in at least one 5 × 5-km location. The formidable scale of data collection required to map onchocerciasis endemicity across the African continent presents an opportunity to use spatial data to identify areas likely to be suitable for onchocerciasis transmission. National onchocerciasis elimination programmes may wish to consider prioritising these IUs for mapping surveys as human resources, laboratory capacity, and programmatic schedules may constrain survey implementation, and possibly delaying MDA initiation in areas that would ultimately qualify.
Fulltext Mapping age- and sex-specific HIV prevalence in adults in sub-Saharan Africa, 2000-2018

Haeuser E, Serfes AL, Cork MA, Yang M, Abbastabar H, Abhilash ES, et al.

BMC Med, 2022 Dec 19;20(1):488.
PMID: 36529768 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02639-z

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is still among the leading causes of disease burden and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and the world is not on track to meet targets set for ending the epidemic by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Precise HIV burden information is critical for effective geographic and epidemiological targeting of prevention and treatment interventions. Age- and sex-specific HIV prevalence estimates are widely available at the national level, and region-wide local estimates were recently published for adults overall. We add further dimensionality to previous analyses by estimating HIV prevalence at local scales, stratified into sex-specific 5-year age groups for adults ages 15-59 years across SSA.
METHODS: We analyzed data from 91 seroprevalence surveys and sentinel surveillance among antenatal care clinic (ANC) attendees using model-based geostatistical methods to produce estimates of HIV prevalence across 43 countries in SSA, from years 2000 to 2018, at a 5 × 5-km resolution and presented among second administrative level (typically districts or counties) units.
RESULTS: We found substantial variation in HIV prevalence across localities, ages, and sexes that have been masked in earlier analyses. Within-country variation in prevalence in 2018 was a median 3.5 times greater across ages and sexes, compared to for all adults combined. We note large within-district prevalence differences between age groups: for men, 50% of districts displayed at least a 14-fold difference between age groups with the highest and lowest prevalence, and at least a 9-fold difference for women. Prevalence trends also varied over time; between 2000 and 2018, 70% of all districts saw a reduction in prevalence greater than five percentage points in at least one sex and age group. Meanwhile, over 30% of all districts saw at least a five percentage point prevalence increase in one or more sex and age group.
CONCLUSIONS: As the HIV epidemic persists and evolves in SSA, geographic and demographic shifts in prevention and treatment efforts are necessary. These estimates offer epidemiologically informative detail to better guide more targeted interventions, vital for combating HIV in SSA.
Fulltext Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017

Burstein R, Henry NJ, Collison ML, Marczak LB, Sligar A, Watson S, et al.

Nature, 2019 Oct;574(7778):353-358.
PMID: 31619795 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1545-0

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2-to end preventable child deaths by 2030-we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Here we quantified, for the period 2000-2017, the subnational variation in mortality rates and number of deaths of neonates, infants and children under 5 years of age within 99 low- and middle-income countries using a geostatistical survival model. We estimated that 32% of children under 5 in these countries lived in districts that had attained rates of 25 or fewer child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2017, and that 58% of child deaths between 2000 and 2017 in these countries could have been averted in the absence of geographical inequality. This study enables the identification of high-mortality clusters, patterns of progress and geographical inequalities to inform appropriate investments and implementations that will help to improve the health of all populations.
Fulltext Cancer Incidence, Mortality, Years of Life Lost, Years Lived With Disability, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years for 29 Cancer Groups From 2010 to 2019: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Global Burden of Disease 2019 Cancer Collaboration, Kocarnik JM, Compton K, Dean FE, Fu W, Gaw BL, et al.

JAMA Oncol, 2022 Mar 01;8(3):420-444.
PMID: 34967848 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.6987

IMPORTANCE: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 (GBD 2019) provided systematic estimates of incidence, morbidity, and mortality to inform local and international efforts toward reducing cancer burden.
OBJECTIVE: To estimate cancer burden and trends globally for 204 countries and territories and by Sociodemographic Index (SDI) quintiles from 2010 to 2019.
EVIDENCE REVIEW: The GBD 2019 estimation methods were used to describe cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2019 and over the past decade. Estimates are also provided by quintiles of the SDI, a composite measure of educational attainment, income per capita, and total fertility rate for those younger than 25 years. Estimates include 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs).
FINDINGS: In 2019, there were an estimated 23.6 million (95% UI, 22.2-24.9 million) new cancer cases (17.2 million when excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) and 10.0 million (95% UI, 9.36-10.6 million) cancer deaths globally, with an estimated 250 million (235-264 million) DALYs due to cancer. Since 2010, these represented a 26.3% (95% UI, 20.3%-32.3%) increase in new cases, a 20.9% (95% UI, 14.2%-27.6%) increase in deaths, and a 16.0% (95% UI, 9.3%-22.8%) increase in DALYs. Among 22 groups of diseases and injuries in the GBD 2019 study, cancer was second only to cardiovascular diseases for the number of deaths, years of life lost, and DALYs globally in 2019. Cancer burden differed across SDI quintiles. The proportion of years lived with disability that contributed to DALYs increased with SDI, ranging from 1.4% (1.1%-1.8%) in the low SDI quintile to 5.7% (4.2%-7.1%) in the high SDI quintile. While the high SDI quintile had the highest number of new cases in 2019, the middle SDI quintile had the highest number of cancer deaths and DALYs. From 2010 to 2019, the largest percentage increase in the numbers of cases and deaths occurred in the low and low-middle SDI quintiles.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results of this systematic analysis suggest that the global burden of cancer is substantial and growing, with burden differing by SDI. These results provide comprehensive and comparable estimates that can potentially inform efforts toward equitable cancer control around the world.
Fulltext Global, Regional, and National Cancer Incidence, Mortality, Years of Life Lost, Years Lived With Disability, and Disability-Adjusted Life-Years for 29 Cancer Groups, 1990 to 2017: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study

Global Burden of Disease Cancer Collaboration, Fitzmaurice C, Abate D, Abbasi N, Abbastabar H, Abd-Allah F, et al.

JAMA Oncol, 2019 Dec 01;5(12):1749-1768.
PMID: 31560378 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2019.2996

IMPORTANCE: Cancer and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are now widely recognized as a threat to global development. The latest United Nations high-level meeting on NCDs reaffirmed this observation and also highlighted the slow progress in meeting the 2011 Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases and the third Sustainable Development Goal. Lack of situational analyses, priority setting, and budgeting have been identified as major obstacles in achieving these goals. All of these have in common that they require information on the local cancer epidemiology. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study is uniquely poised to provide these crucial data.
OBJECTIVE: To describe cancer burden for 29 cancer groups in 195 countries from 1990 through 2017 to provide data needed for cancer control planning.
EVIDENCE REVIEW: We used the GBD study estimation methods to describe cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Results are presented at the national level as well as by Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a composite indicator of income, educational attainment, and total fertility rate. We also analyzed the influence of the epidemiological vs the demographic transition on cancer incidence.
FINDINGS: In 2017, there were 24.5 million incident cancer cases worldwide (16.8 million without nonmelanoma skin cancer [NMSC]) and 9.6 million cancer deaths. The majority of cancer DALYs came from years of life lost (97%), and only 3% came from years lived with disability. The odds of developing cancer were the lowest in the low SDI quintile (1 in 7) and the highest in the high SDI quintile (1 in 2) for both sexes. In 2017, the most common incident cancers in men were NMSC (4.3 million incident cases); tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer (1.5 million incident cases); and prostate cancer (1.3 million incident cases). The most common causes of cancer deaths and DALYs for men were TBL cancer (1.3 million deaths and 28.4 million DALYs), liver cancer (572 000 deaths and 15.2 million DALYs), and stomach cancer (542 000 deaths and 12.2 million DALYs). For women in 2017, the most common incident cancers were NMSC (3.3 million incident cases), breast cancer (1.9 million incident cases), and colorectal cancer (819 000 incident cases). The leading causes of cancer deaths and DALYs for women were breast cancer (601 000 deaths and 17.4 million DALYs), TBL cancer (596 000 deaths and 12.6 million DALYs), and colorectal cancer (414 000 deaths and 8.3 million DALYs).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The national epidemiological profiles of cancer burden in the GBD study show large heterogeneities, which are a reflection of different exposures to risk factors, economic settings, lifestyles, and access to care and screening. The GBD study can be used by policy makers and other stakeholders to develop and improve national and local cancer control in order to achieve the global targets and improve equity in cancer care.

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