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  1. Fulltext The Fabian political thought elements in the political movements in Malaysia (1952-1970): a preliminary review from historical perspective
    Ahamad Jama' Amin Yang
    Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2016;1(2):67-77.
    MyJurnal
    Fabian Society is a type of political think tank which was founded by a group of students and
    intellectuals at London School of Economics (LSE), United Kingdom in the late of 19 centuries. The
    Fabian political thought is a new manifestation of socialist ideology in United Kingdom emerged through the role of Labour Party Partiat that time. After the World War II, the influence of this political
    thought began to widespread throughout Malaya via British-educated Malayan students. This
    development brought about a new form of political idealism based on social-democrat orientation
    which emphasized on class struggles and civil issues in Malaya. Thus, the aim of this article is to
    scrutinize objectively and descriptively the influence of the Fabian political thought in the Malaysian
    political development from 1952 to 1970. Using the approach of history reconstructionist, the analysis
    discussion was developed based on the use of primary sources as the argument base. The research
    findings indicate that the influence of the Fabian political thought developed in Malaya by the role of
    the socialist intellectual-progressive group throughout the research. The development did not only
    involve labour movements and left-wing political parties such as Malayan Democratic Union (MDU)
    and the Malayan Labour Party, but it also influenced students movements at universities through
    University of Malaya Socialist Club in Singapore around 1950s and students societies in Universiti
    Malaya, Kuala Lumpur around 1960s. In fact, at the same time the progressive Fabian group slipped in
    right-conservative group through their direct involvement in UMNO and the Perikatan regime at the
    time. This indirectly proves that there is a different side of the socialist role through the role of the
    Fabian group in the development of democracy and politics in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
  2. Planning Accessibility Strategies and Connectivity for Malaysian Urban Built Environment
    Abd Samad NA, Said I, Abdul Rahim A
    Stud Health Technol Inform, 2018;256:367-377.
    PMID: 30371497
    Access to our buildings relies to the accessibility of its external environment and the route taken. Developments and planning in urban areas has many several requirements and restrictions. Planning accessibility for Malaysian built environment is achievable by designing in compliance to the requirements enforced by authorities. Accessible design is commonly associated with providing facilities for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), the issue that is often brought up is the inaccessibility of the external environment and lacking of seamless connectivity between buildings and the outdoor. The intention is to formulate accessibility strategies and work out planning process on how accessibility can be achieved. Universal Design will be the basis for the design and planning concept to accommodate all users to enjoy our urban built environment. It is notable that developed countries advances more in terms of implementing and enforcing accessibility measures via legislative and regulatory documents, government strategies and initiatives within its planning approach than the developing nations. The methodology will be looking into the establishment of strategies and measures of international and local planning policy, local and action plans of City of London as selected Local Authority to be analyzed its inclusive policy has been successfully implemented in their jurisdiction. The findings, discussions and result will be an outcome of generating a framework of accessibility strategies that is derived from interviews and government documents accordingly to targeted Malaysian urban areas focusing the City of Petaling Jaya and Putrajaya and how it can be improvised. Therefore, an interpretation of adopting accessibility planning strategies of developed country, to be adapted locally according to Malaysian legislation, culture and lifestyles.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
  3. Fulltext The impact of plurality in Malaysia-Singapore relations post Malaya
    Ayu Nor Azilah Mohamad, Mohamed Ali Haniffa, Wayu Nor Asikin Mohamad
    Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2018;3(3):53-63.
    MyJurnal
    This article discusses the impact of plurality on Malaysia-Singapore relations after the formation of
    Malaysia on September 16, 1963. The establishment of the Federation of Malaysia agreement was
    signed in London on July 8, 1963 by the representatives of the British government, the Federation of
    Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. All parties agreed to the change in name from Federation of
    Malaya to Malaysia. The declaration of Malaysia was made on September 16, 1963 simultaneously
    throughout the country. This study uses secondary sources and library research methods. The findings
    show that Singapore's existence in Malaysia was seen to have raised racial issues leading to the
    separation of Singapore from Malaysia on August 9, 1965. Ethnic-related problems need to be
    addressed wisely in order to not be a threat to racial relations among the plural society in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
  4. Contact lens related pseudomonas corneal ulcer: a case report
    Sivaraj R, Verghese I, Lai YK, Parasakthi N
    Family Physician, 1994;6:18-20.
    Contact lenses provide an alternative to spectacles for many people. However, the hazard of bacterial corneal ulcers exists. This article describes a soft contact lens wearer who developed a bacterial corneal ulcer. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential for eradication of the infection and prevention of loss of vision.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
  5. Drepanosticta rahmani sp. nov., from Kedah, Malaysia (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae)
    Dow RA, Choong CY, Ng YF
    Zootaxa, 2017 Oct 24;4338(1):44-50.
    PMID: 29245726 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4338.1.2
    Drepanosticta rahmani sp. nov. (holotype ♂, steep tributary to stream in hills between Baling and Gulai, north west Kedah, Malaysia, 15 xi 2016, leg. R.A. Dow, to be deposited in the Natural History Museum, London) is described from both sexes.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
  6. Is the hijab protective? An investigation of body image and related constructs among British Muslim women
    Swami V, Miah J, Noorani N, Taylor D
    Br J Psychol, 2014 Aug;105(3):352-63.
    PMID: 25040005 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12045
    Previous studies have reported equivocal findings concerning the impact of wearing a hijab, or Islamic head- and body-cover, on Muslim women's body image. Here, we sought to examine that impact using a larger sample of Muslim women than has been relied upon and a wider range of body image measures. A total of 587 British Muslim women completed a battery of scales assessing their frequency and conservativeness of hijab use, body image variables, attitudes towards the media and beauty ideals, importance of appearance, and religiosity. Preliminary results indicated that 218 women never used the hijab and 369 women used some form of the hijab at least rarely. Controlling for religiosity, women who wore the hijab had more positive body image, lower internalization of media messages about beauty standards, and placed less importance on appearance than women who did not wear the hijab. Among women who wore the hijab, hijab use significantly predicted weight discrepancy and body appreciation over and above religiosity. These results are discussed in terms of the possible protective impact among British Muslim women of wearing the hijab.
    Matched MeSH terms: London/ethnology
  7. Negative body image and eating disorder symptomatology among young women identifying with goth subculture
    Swami V
    Body Image, 2017 Jun;21:30-33.
    PMID: 28285176 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2017.02.001
    The present study compared the rates of negative body image and risk for disordered eating in young women who identify as part of goth subculture and a matched sample. Participants were 80 women who identified as part of goth subculture and a matched sample of 82 women from London, United Kingdom. Participants completed measures of self-ideal body size discrepancy, body appreciation, appearance investment, and eating disorder symptomatology. Between-group comparisons indicated that goth women reported significantly higher drive for thinness (d=0.51), body dissatisfaction (d=0.62), and dysfunctional appearance investment (d=0.52), as well as lower body appreciation (d=0.55), than the matched sample. Heightened expectations about appearance and self-presentation, alongside appearance competitiveness, may result in more negative body image and disordered eating in young women who identify with goth subculture, but further research is necessary on this under-studied youth subculture.
    Matched MeSH terms: London/epidemiology
  8. Fulltext Impact of London's low emission zone on air quality and children's respiratory health: a sequential annual cross-sectional study
    Mudway IS, Dundas I, Wood HE, Marlin N, Jamaludin JB, Bremner SA, et al.
    Lancet Public Health, 2019 Jan;4(1):e28-e40.
    PMID: 30448150 DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(18)30202-0
    BACKGROUND: Low emission zones (LEZ) are an increasingly common, but unevaluated, intervention aimed at improving urban air quality and public health. We investigated the impact of London's LEZ on air quality and children's respiratory health.

    METHODS: We did a sequential annual cross-sectional study of 2164 children aged 8-9 years attending primary schools between 2009-10 and 2013-14 in central London, UK, following the introduction of London's LEZ in February, 2008. We examined the association between modelled pollutant exposures of nitrogen oxides (including nitrogen dioxide [NO2]) and particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2·5 μm (PM2·5) and less than 10 μm (PM10) and lung function: postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1, primary outcome), forced vital capacity (FVC), and respiratory or allergic symptoms. We assigned annual exposures by each child's home and school address, as well as spatially resolved estimates for the 3 h (0600-0900 h), 24 h, and 7 days before each child's assessment, to isolate long-term from short-term effects.

    FINDINGS: The percentage of children living at addresses exceeding the EU limit value for annual NO2 (40 μg/m3) fell from 99% (444/450) in 2009 to 34% (150/441) in 2013. Over this period, we identified a reduction in NO2 at both roadside (median -1·35 μg/m3 per year; 95% CI -2·09 to -0·61; p=0·0004) and background locations (-0·97; -1·56 to -0·38; p=0·0013), but not for PM10. The effect on PM2·5 was equivocal. We found no association between postbronchodilator FEV1 and annual residential pollutant attributions. By contrast, FVC was inversely correlated with annual NO2 (-0·0023 L/μg per m3; -0·0044 to -0·0002; p=0·033) and PM10 (-0·0090 L/μg per m3; -0·0175 to -0·0005; p=0·038).

    INTERPRETATION: Within London's LEZ, a smaller lung volume in children was associated with higher annual air pollutant exposures. We found no evidence of a reduction in the proportion of children with small lungs over this period, despite small improvements in air quality in highly polluted urban areas during the implementation of London's LEZ. Interventions that deliver larger reductions in emissions might yield improvements in children's health.

    FUNDING: National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and King's College London, NHS Hackney, Lee Him donation, and Felicity Wilde Charitable Trust.

    Matched MeSH terms: London/epidemiology
  9. Masculinities and ethnicities: Ethnic differences in drive for muscularity in British men and the negotiation of masculinity hierarchies
    Swami V
    Br J Psychol, 2016 Aug;107(3):577-92.
    PMID: 26592864 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12162
    Although relatively little is known about ethnic differences in men's drive for muscularity, recent theoretical developments suggest that ethnic minority men may desire greater muscularity to contest their positions of relative subordinate masculinity. This study tested this hypothesis in a sample of 185 White, 180 Black British, and 182 South Asian British men. Participants completed self-report measures of drive for muscularity, need for power, adherence to traditional cultural values, and ethnic group affiliation. Taking into account between-group differences in body mass index, results indicated that White men had significantly lower drive for muscularity than Black and South Asian men, who were not significantly different from each other. In addition, greater need for power was significantly associated with higher drive for muscularity in ethnic minority, but not White, men. Greater adherence to traditional cultural values, but not ethnic group affiliation, was associated with lower drive for muscularity in all ethnic groups. These results suggest that ethnic minority men may desire greater muscularity as a means of negotiating masculinity and attendant ideals of appearance.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
  10. Forecasting asthma-related hospital admissions in London using negative binomial models
    Soyiri IN, Reidpath DD, Sarran C
    Chron Respir Dis, 2013 May;10(2):85-94.
    PMID: 23620439 DOI: 10.1177/1479972313482847
    Health forecasting can improve health service provision and individual patient outcomes. Environmental factors are known to impact chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, but little is known about the extent to which these factors can be used for forecasting. Using weather, air quality and hospital asthma admissions, in London (2005-2006), two related negative binomial models were developed and compared with a naive seasonal model. In the first approach, predictive forecasting models were fitted with 7-day averages of each potential predictor, and then a subsequent multivariable model is constructed. In the second strategy, an exhaustive search of the best fitting models between possible combinations of lags (0-14 days) of all the environmental effects on asthma admission was conducted. Three models were considered: a base model (seasonal effects), contrasted with a 7-day average model and a selected lags model (weather and air quality effects). Season is the best predictor of asthma admissions. The 7-day average and seasonal models were trivial to implement. The selected lags model was computationally intensive, but of no real value over much more easily implemented models. Seasonal factors can predict daily hospital asthma admissions in London, and there is a little evidence that additional weather and air quality information would add to forecast accuracy.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
  11. Fulltext Giant reactions to tuberculin in lepromatous leprosy patients
    Waters MFR, Stanford JL
    Int. J. Lepr. Other Mycobact. Dis., 1985 Dec;53(4):546-53.
    PMID: 4086918
    A detailed account and definition is given of the previously inadequately described "giant reactions" to tuberculin occasionally seen in leprosy patients. The reaction is an accelerated and exaggerated response to species-specific antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis found in both PPD and New tuberculin. Our studies were performed in Malaysia, Uganda, Spain, and England. There was a significantly higher incidence of the phenomenon in Malaysia than in the other centers, but this may have been because there alone previously untreated lepromatous (LL and BL) patients were serially tested for up to three years after starting chemotherapy. Of the 28 patients exhibiting giant reactions, 27 occurred among lepromatous patients (24 LL and 3 BL), of which only 3 (1 LL and 2 BL) were untreated. One treated BL patient had developed, and one untreated BL patient was a family contact of, active tuberculosis. Giant reactions are uncommon in untreated and in very long-term treated LL patients, but may occur in up to a fifth of those receiving their first 1-3 years of chemotherapy. Although the mechanism is not yet understood, it appears to be a coincidence of delayed hypersensitivity of the tuberculin type and a less-delayed phenomenon of excessive local edema associated with local lymphadenopathy and short-lasting symptoms of malaise and pyrexia. It is suggested that the majority of giant reactions occur during a period of temporary lack of immune regulation associated with changing levels of antigenic load.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
  12. Fulltext Humans as animal sentinels for forecasting asthma events: helping health services become more responsive
    Soyiri IN, Reidpath DD
    PLoS One, 2012;7(10):e47823.
    PMID: 23118897 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047823
    The concept of forecasting asthma using humans as animal sentinels is uncommon. This study explores the plausibility of predicting future asthma daily admissions using retrospective data in London (2005-2006). Negative binomial regressions were used in modeling; allowing the non-contiguous autoregressive components. Selected lags were based on partial autocorrelation function (PACF) plot with a maximum lag of 7 days. The model was contrasted with naïve historical and seasonal models. All models were cross validated. Mean daily asthma admission in 2005 was 27.9 and in 2006 it was 28.9. The lags 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 were independently associated with daily asthma admissions based on their PACF plots. The lag model prediction of peak admissions were often slightly out of synchronization with the actual data, but the days of greater admissions were better matched than the days of lower admissions. A further investigation across various populations is necessary.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
  13. Forecasting peak asthma admissions in London: an application of quantile regression models
    Soyiri IN, Reidpath DD, Sarran C
    Int J Biometeorol, 2013 Jul;57(4):569-78.
    PMID: 22886344 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-012-0584-0
    Asthma is a chronic condition of great public health concern globally. The associated morbidity, mortality and healthcare utilisation place an enormous burden on healthcare infrastructure and services. This study demonstrates a multistage quantile regression approach to predicting excess demand for health care services in the form of asthma daily admissions in London, using retrospective data from the Hospital Episode Statistics, weather and air quality. Trivariate quantile regression models (QRM) of asthma daily admissions were fitted to a 14-day range of lags of environmental factors, accounting for seasonality in a hold-in sample of the data. Representative lags were pooled to form multivariate predictive models, selected through a systematic backward stepwise reduction approach. Models were cross-validated using a hold-out sample of the data, and their respective root mean square error measures, sensitivity, specificity and predictive values compared. Two of the predictive models were able to detect extreme number of daily asthma admissions at sensitivity levels of 76 % and 62 %, as well as specificities of 66 % and 76 %. Their positive predictive values were slightly higher for the hold-out sample (29 % and 28 %) than for the hold-in model development sample (16 % and 18 %). QRMs can be used in multistage to select suitable variables to forecast extreme asthma events. The associations between asthma and environmental factors, including temperature, ozone and carbon monoxide can be exploited in predicting future events using QRMs.
    Matched MeSH terms: London/epidemiology
  14. Fulltext Screening for Corynebacterium diphtheriae
    Wilson AP, Matthews S, Bahl M, Efstratiou A, Cookson BD
    J Clin Pathol, 1992 Nov;45(11):1036-7.
    PMID: 1452782 DOI: 10.1136/jcp.45.11.1036
    A throat swab from a 9 year old girl with pharyngitis yielded a non-toxigenic strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae var mitis and Streptococcus group G. C pseudodiphtheriticum was isolated from the throats of two of her four brothers. In each case the isolate was sent to the reference laboratory before full identification. The growth was found to be mixed for one brother; the other isolate being a toxin producing C diphtheriae var gravis. The child was asymptomatic and the case proves that all colonial types on the Hoyles plate should be identified.
    Matched MeSH terms: London/epidemiology
  15. Fulltext Effects of Air Pollution and the Introduction of the London Low Emission Zone on the Prevalence of Respiratory and Allergic Symptoms in Schoolchildren in East London: A Sequential Cross-Sectional Study
    Wood HE, Marlin N, Mudway IS, Bremner SA, Cross L, Dundas I, et al.
    PLoS One, 2015;10(8):e0109121.
    PMID: 26295579 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109121
    The adverse effects of traffic-related air pollution on children's respiratory health have been widely reported, but few studies have evaluated the impact of traffic-control policies designed to reduce urban air pollution. We assessed associations between traffic-related air pollutants and respiratory/allergic symptoms amongst 8-9 year-old schoolchildren living within the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ). Information on respiratory/allergic symptoms was obtained using a parent-completed questionnaire and linked to modelled annual air pollutant concentrations based on the residential address of each child, using a multivariable mixed effects logistic regression analysis. Exposure to traffic-related air pollutants was associated with current rhinitis: NOx (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02), NO2 (1.03, 1.00-1.06), PM10 (1.16, 1.04-1.28) and PM2.5 (1.38, 1.08-1.78), all per μg/m3 of pollutant, but not with other respiratory/allergic symptoms. The LEZ did not reduce ambient air pollution levels, or affect the prevalence of respiratory/allergic symptoms over the period studied. These data confirm the previous association between traffic-related air pollutant exposures and symptoms of current rhinitis. Importantly, the London LEZ has not significantly improved air quality within the city, or the respiratory health of the resident population in its first three years of operation. This highlights the need for more robust measures to reduce traffic emissions.
    Matched MeSH terms: London/epidemiology
  16. Body image and personality among British men: associations between the Big Five personality domains, drive for muscularity, and body appreciation
    Benford K, Swami V
    Body Image, 2014 Sep;11(4):454-7.
    PMID: 25113287 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.07.004
    The present study examined associations between the Big Five personality domains and measures of men's body image. A total of 509 men from the community in London, UK, completed measures of drive for muscularity, body appreciation, the Big Five domains, and subjective social status, and provided their demographic details. The results of a hierarchical regression showed that, once the effects of participant body mass index (BMI) and subjective social status had been accounted for, men's drive for muscularity was significantly predicted by Neuroticism (β=.29). In addition, taking into account the effects of BMI and subjective social status, men's body appreciation was significantly predicted by Neuroticism (β=-.35) and Extraversion (β=.12). These findings highlight potential avenues for the development of intervention approaches based on the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and body image.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
  17. Transition of water demand and treatment plant overcapacity: a case study of the Seoul Metropolitan City, Korea
    Lee S, Park H
    Water Sci Technol, 2010;61(12):3129-40.
    PMID: 20555209 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2010.454
    This study deals with the overcapacity problem of water treatment plants in Korea, and mainly discusses status, causes, and engineering options. To this end, we first statistically analyze the recent trend of demand, revealing that the demands of small- and mid-size systems are still increasing while that of large-size systems is now decreasing. Since the existing approach to plan capacity implicitly assumes that demand will increase at a regular rate, we estimate excess capacities and system utilizations of large-size systems. From these results it is found that the large-size systems are suffering from serious overcapacity, thus necessitating that engineers make very difficult decisions given that systems are still expanding the capacities of plants due to a lack of awareness of the current demand trend. For other systems where there is a better understanding of the transition of demand, planners have ceased to expand plants or have closed down relatively old plants in efforts to reduce O&M costs. To address this problem, quick recognition of the transition of demand is being highlighted by the concepts of integrated resources management and cybernetics. Therefore, we examined how quickly the new trend of the Seoul case could be precisely recognized and appropriately addressed. Using the Bayesian parameter estimation method, we found that a new trend can be recognized six years after the transition of demand.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
  18. Correlating Streptococcus mutans counts in saliva with plaque amount, gingival inflammation and caries experience in school children
    Jalil RA
    Singapore Dent J, 1995 Jul;20(1):16-20.
    PMID: 9582684
    Samples of stimulated whole saliva were obtained from ninety-four 12-14-year-old school children living in inner London to evaluate if there was a correlation between Streptococcus mutans counts in saliva with plaque amount, gingival inflammation and caries experience. S. mutans counts were obtained by a dip-slide method (Dentocult 'Strip Mutans') in which the count was expressed as 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 based on visual estimation of the colony density. There was no association between counts' of S. mutans in saliva with plaque amount and gingival inflammation. However, there was a significant trend of increased decayed, missing, filled surfaces (DMFS) with increasing S. mutans counts.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
  19. Sexuality and the drive for muscularity: evidence of associations among British men
    Swami V, Diwell R, McCreary DR
    Body Image, 2014 Sep;11(4):543-6.
    PMID: 25201097 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.08.008
    Previous studies have documented associations between sexuality and body image, but the directionality of this association is unclear among men. This study examined whether men's drive for muscularity can be considered a correlate of their sexuality. A community-based sample of 292 heterosexual men from London, UK, completed a survey consisting of measures of drive for muscularity, sociosexuality, sexual assertiveness, sexual esteem, and sexual sensation seeking. A multiple regression analysis showed that greater drive for muscularity was predicted by more unrestricted sociosexuality (i.e., a greater proclivity for short-term, transient relationships), greater sexual sensation seeking, and greater sexual assertiveness, once the effects of participant age and body mass index had been accounted for. Possible avenues for intervention based on a sex-positive approach are discussed in conclusion.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
  20. Social dominance orientation predicts drive for muscularity among British men
    Swami V, Neofytou RV, Jablonska J, Thirlwell H, Taylor D, McCreary DR
    Body Image, 2013 Sep;10(4):653-6.
    PMID: 23954197 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2013.07.007
    The present study tested the hypothesis that men's drive for muscularity would be associated with their valuation of domination, power, status, and aggression over others. A community sample of 359 men from London, UK, completed measures of drive for muscularity, social dominance orientation, right-wing authoritarianism, trait aggression, and need for power, as well as their demographic details. Bivariate correlations showed that greater drive for muscularity was significantly correlated with most of the measures and their subscales. However, in a multiple regression analysis, the only significant predictor of drive for muscularity was support for group-based dominance hierarchies (Adj. R(2)=.17). These results suggest that men's drive for muscularity is associated with a socio-political ideology that favours social dominance.
    Matched MeSH terms: London
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