Pineapple is one of the most important commercial fruit crops served in fresh-cut form which is convenientfor the consumers. However, fresh-cut pineapple induces the activity of phenolic compounds which triggers the generation of brown or dark pigments. Browning incidence (BI) directly influences the fruit’s acceptability and marketability. Therefore, different exposure times (5mins, 10mins, 15mins and 20mins)and typesof LED lights (white, red and blue) were applied on fresh-cut pineapple stored at 5oC storage for twelve days to reduce BI. A significant interaction between the two factors was recorded in lightness coefficient, chroma, total phenolic and ascorbic acid (AA)contents. Regardless of exposure times, all types of LED lights, mainly the blue light, succeeded in delaying BI in fresh-cut pineapple. In conclusion, blue light had a tendency todelay BI andmaintaintheother postharvest quality attributes of fresh-cut pineapple.
Industrial development plays the most important role inthe degradationof the global environment. In line with this issue, most universities in the world have introduced environmentalmanagement to increase awarenessamong young generation towards the environment. Therefore, this study is employed to examine the influences of hygiene practices, awareness and involvement levels towards environmentalhygiene among UMT students. The design of this study is quantitative using cross-sectionaldata collectedfrom students at residential colleges in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. A total of 120 respondents participatedbut only data from 100 students could be used for further analysis after the datascreening process. The result of this study showed that the level of awareness of UMT students on environmental issues could be categorized as moderate. Besides that, this study found that the level of awareness had significant positive influences on environmentalhygiene. Meanwhile, hygiene practices and the level of involvement did not have significant influences on environmentalhygiene. In addition, using the findings of this study, we suggest that the stakeholders of UMT increase the hygiene practice and involvement among young generation to increase the level of awareness regarding environmental hygiene.
The objective is to identify the available literature on parents' experiences in caring for children in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Original research on parents experience in caring their child in PICU were identified from five online databases, namely CINAHL, Science Direct, Proquest, Cochrane, and Pubmed (2008-2018) using the terms "parent," "experience," "children", "paediatric intensive care" and "caring." We included articles addressing the parent's experiences while their child was admitted to PICU their needs and participation in the care of the child. Twenty-two papers have met the criteria for inclusion. Further review of these articles resulted in summarised topics - PICU parents' experience, parental stressors, and parental needs. Current research demonstrates a diversity of parent's experiences while caring for their child; however, little is known about interventions to improve and support parents who are in a difficult situation when their child being treated in PICU.
A livelihood is a means of making a living, securing necessities of life such as water, shelter medicine and clothing. For communities dependent on forest resources for livelihoods, sustainability of forests are important. In Kampung Tambirat this study aims to find the income generated from forest resources particularly Nypah palm forests, the measures of conservation, challenges and type of assistance required so that the villagers engagement in the activities will flourish in the future and benefit the younger generations. It is found that there are no conservation measures for Nypah forests and seasonal floods further increases the difficulty for the villagers to sustain their livelihood activities.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an increasingly major world health problem. This short review using the most pertinent articles on TBI caregiving problems and needs highlights the pressing issues. Articles focusing on both TBI-caregivers' problems and needs are rarely found, especially for developing countries. Most TBI-caregiving is done by family members, whose altered lives portend burden and stresses which add to the overwhelming demand of caring for the TBI-survivor. Lack of information, financial inadequacy, anxiety, distress, coping deficits, poor adaptability, inadequate knowledge and skills, and a poor support system comprise the major problems. Dysfunctional communication between caregivers and care-receivers has been little researched. The major needs are focused on health and rehabilitation information, financial advice and assistance, emotional and social support, and positive psychological encouragement. In time, health information needs may be met, but not emotional support. Information on TBI caregiving problems and unmet needs is critical to all relevant healthcare stakeholders.
The study investigated socio-demographic factors and product attributes affecting purchase decision of special rice by Malaysian consumer. The primary data were analyzed by using binary logit model.
Demographic factors and consumer preference for special rice (with reference to basmati rice) attributes were identified to affect purchasing behavior for special rice. Size of household, marital status, number of children, household income and gender of consumers are the main socio-demographic factors that significantly influence households’ choices of special rice for home consumption in the Klang Valley area. The findings also suggest that product attributes such as flavor and aroma, availability, brand name and quality also influence the frequent purchasing of Basmati rice among the Malaysian consumers. However price and easy preparation are not significant in influencing the frequent purchasing of Basmati rice since most consumers are aware that special rice such as Basmati is expensive and all rice has to be prepared in a usual way.
The most commonly used techniques of alpha and gamma spectrometry were performed to measure
210Pb activity in marine sediment core as a comparison. Alpha analytical technique measured the
activity of 210Pb from it’s in-grow grand-daughter 210Po after a chemical separation, assuming
radioactive equilibrium between the two radionuclides. Meanwhile, gamma analysis technique
allows direct measurement, non-destructive and no preliminary chemical separation. Through the
comparison, it is found that both alpha and gamma analysis techniques were slightly difference.
Overall, the results from alpha analytical technique were basically higher than those from the
gamma analytical techniques. Some logical argument had been discussed to explain this situation.
In routine analysis, the analytical technique used should be chosen carefully based on advantages
and disadvantages of the each technique and analysis requirements. Therefore, it is recommended to
determine exactly the needs and purpose of analysis and to know the sample history before decide
the appropriate analytical technique
A prospective study of 92 children with poisoning admitted to University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur is reported. Majority of the affected children were below 3 years of age and belonged to low income families. Household items, especially kerosene, and medications were most often implicated. All children recovered completely. Preventive strategies are discussed.
This study aimed to determine the psychosocial factors associated with school truancy in secondary school students attending three high risk schools in Kuala Lumpur. It is a cross-sectional study involving 373 Form Four students. Socio demographic, family, living and school characteristics of the respondents were obtained through self-administered questionnaires. There were significantly greater percentage of divorced parents (p=0.025, OR=2.52, 1.01
The family is an important factor that influences an individual’s decision for organ donation. The number of studies addressing the family’s role in organ donation is limited. It is imperative to explore these studies and offer recommendations that may help in addressing organ shortage. 15 studies with more than 2100 participants were selected for a systematic review. The studies were accessed by searching three databases: MEDLINE, Elsevier, and PsycINFO. This systematic review indicates that knowledge about brain death and the circumstances surrounding organ donation and transplantation are the most important factors that affect a family’s decision regarding organ donation. Educational efforts targeting the family should be initiated, which can then guide the family’s decision on organ donation. We suggest that educational efforts be consistent with other factors such as religious beliefs that influence the family’s decision.
This paper reviews the conceptualization and relationship among work-family conflict,
burnout, social support and turnover intention using Job Demand Resources (JD-R) model. From the
theoretical framework of JD-R model, there is a relationship between job demand and resources that
gives impact to organization outcome. In addition, empirical evidence also shows that a relationship
exists between the above variables. Organization should address proactively how job demand and
resources influence each other that lead to organization outcome. Comprehensive understanding
regarding the above matter gives opportunity for organizations to take reasonable action to ensure
employees well-being and give benefit to the organizations themselves.
Child abuse's trend has been on the rise in Malaysia. Despite strong legislative rules of Child Act 2001, the response of the community is believed to be inadequate. Various factors have been highlighted to ensure effective management of the issue. Child abuse is considered a social emergency due to its complexity and involvement of emotional, family dynamic and domestic instability. The success of the managing these cases largely depends on our urgency and collaborative partnership between multidisciplinary team members, to improve on the welfare of these children, albeit a slower outcome. The community as a whole has to be proactive in reporting hidden cases to avoid mortality or morbidity, as a result of the perpetrator's actions.
Homeownership affordability is not only the ability of households to pay the housing cost. But homeownership affordability is also involving the ability of households to pay housing costs as well as to maintain the basic needs in the continuity of life. Thus, affordability aspect is important in home ownership. Meanwhile, home ownership is the biggest decision for a household in a term. The combination of affordability and homeownership led to research on factors that affect the affordability of homeownership, especially in terms of socio-economic households inclusively. Socio-economic factors as discussed include income, household expenditures, job type, education level, number of dependents, monthly housing loan and financial savings. Each factor plays the role of its own to ensure the affordability level of homeownership. In fact, the factors that affect the homeownership affordability is different between households. Analysis of the socio-economic factors is necessary because homeownership affordability issues impact the quality life of mankind.
Republished in: Republished in: Teng CL, Khoo EM, Ng CJ (editors). Family Medicine, Healthcare and Society: Essays by Dr M K Rajakumar, Second Edition. Kuala Lumpur: Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia, 2019: 23-26
Citation: Abu Bakar Suleiman. Seminar on Postgraduate Family Medicine Programme. Pusat Kesihatan Padang Serai, Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia. 28th September 1991.
Citation: Abu Bakar, Suleiman
Keynote Address. Bengkel “Program Perubatan Keluarga: Posting Pusat Kesihatan”. Pusat Kesihatan Padang Serai, Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia, 27 Mac 1995
Growth performance, sexual reproduction and clonal propagation of I. japonica population in contrast reciprocal habitats; Open Area of Forest Edge (OAFE) and Bamboo Forest (BF) on Jinyun Mountain were studied to understand the adaptability of growth and reproductive of I. japonica in different habitats. The results were as follows: quantitative characteristics of growth and clonal propagation of I. japonica at genet (a group of genetically identical individuals, consists of whole ramets) level and at ramet (a unit composed of a shoot and root, with independent morphological and physiological traits in the same genet) level were higher in BF. However, quantitative characteristics of sexual reproduction at genet and ramet level were higher in OAFE. Biomass and allocation also showed the same trend as quantitative characteristics. Reproductive components (at ramet level) were significantly different and had trade- off in contrast reciprocal habitats. Allocation to clonal propagation and sexual reproduction of mother ramet was significantly negative correlation with allocation to daughter ramet (especially in BF). There was a trade-off between reproduction components (allocation to sexual reproduction and clonal propagation of mother ramet) in OAFE. Therefore, it showed predominantly sexual reproduction in OAFE and clonal propagation in BF. The results indicated that the contrast environmental stress shaping growth performance and reproduction variation of I. japonica in genet and ramet level in contrasting habitats might pronounce adaptive population differentiation among forest habitats.
A reciprocal transplant-replant experiment was carried out to investigate the clonal plasticity and local specialization of OAFE population (O type) and BF population (U type) of a clonal rhizome herb Iris japonica in contrasting reciprocal heterogeneous habitats on Jinyun Mountain. U Population had better performance of plant size and clonal propagation (including allocation to clonal propagation, daughter ramet and fine rhizome) in different reciprocal heterogeneous habitats than O population. Both the population origin and reciprocal spatial heterogeneous habitat had effects on clonal ramets and biomass of clonal components of experimental plants. The plasticity of clonal growth had difference in clonal components to balance High light-Low soil resources (water) (HL) or Low light-High soil resources (LH) due to the ecological isolation of the two I. japonica populations. Our findings indicated that two major types of patterns of spatial covariance of resources can have different effects on the growth and local variation of clonal plants.
The Department of Primary Care Medicine was established in UHKL in 1987. This article examines the philosophy of primary care, the clinical services provided by UHKL Family Practice Clinic and the quality assurance activities.
Bacterial biofilms are a complex community of microbes in which the cells are embedded in a polysaccharide matrix.
This slime is a mean of protection in hostile environments. Biofilms in hospital settings are perilous as they not only
make treatment difficult, cause blockage of pipes but are also cause of serious nosocomial infections thus making their
dispersal an even more important phenomenon. Any foaming method is not applicable at all places for the cleaning of
biofilms hence biofilm dispersal by household sweep containing hydrochloric acid was checked using the microliter
plate assay as dispersal strategy. Bacteria from hospital waste disposal pipes were isolated, its ability to form biofilm
was noted under different time intervals and then finally biofilm degradation was done using different concentrations
of household sweep. It was noted that household sweep can be successfully employed at many places especially waste
disposal pipes and acid resistant tubes. Our results indicated that 20% sweep (HCl conc. 1%) if used for only one
minute can reduce the biofilms to 50%. Similarly increasing contact time can reduce the biofilms further.