The incidence of breakage of Piezon-Master ultrasonic K files were evaluated. Three groups of unused files were subjected to three treatments, namely; free vibration in air without irrigation, free vibration in root canal while minimizing contact with the wall of canal in the presence of irrigation and light filing in root canal with free flow of irrigation. Cavitation produced by files in contact and free of contact with a glass surface was examined in order to observe the relationship between cavitation defects and breakage. In addition, the fractured and unfractured files were examined under a scanning electron microscope for the presence of cavitation pits. The results indicated that more files broke in air. In water, a higher incidence of breakage occurred when files were allowed to freely vibrate while no breakage occurred when the files were used in filing. All files generated cavitation which resulted in pitting of their surfaces. However, it was considered unlikely that the pits contributed to fracture. Fatigue cracks which could be the result of the manufacturing process were observed at some of the corners of the cross sections of the fractured files and could be the main contributory factor to fracture.
Serum ferritin concentration has been measured in pregnant women at their first antenatal visit. Results were analysed according to trimesters. With progression of the pregnancy there is a fall in serum ferritin concentrations. Haemoglobin and red cell indices cannot be used to predict iron status supplemental iron therapy raised the serum ferritin levels.
Foreign bodies in the laryngotracheobronchial tree are not uncommon. Their clinical presentations, the radiological and endoscopic findings in sixteen cases that presented to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia were reviewed. The technique of removal is also discussed.
Study site: Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (UKM unit)
Over a two year period, 323 livers were examined using ultrasound. Majority of these cases were icteric and ultrasound could distinguish obstructive from non-obstructive jaundice. Primary and secondary liver tumours were also detected. Liver abscesses, and radiolucent gallstones were picked up by ultrasound, the areas under study being scanned using standard methods as outlined by various ultrasonographists.
Fifteen patients underwent surgery for cardiac tumours in General Hospital Kuala Lumpur between October 1984 and June 1989. Twelve of the patients had cardiac myxomas and underwent excision under cardiopulmonary bypass. Two patients had sarcoma, of which one was excised. The other was inoperable. Another patient had a metastalic malignant melanoma which was inoperable. Of the patients 10 were female and five male. Their ages ranged from 16 to 60 years. All were symptomatic and the commonest mode of presentation was exertional dyspnoea and palpitations. Two presented with cerebral embolisation. The three patients with malignant tumours had constitutional symptoms at the time of surgery. All patients had echocardiography pre-operatively to confirm the diagnosis of cardiac tumour. Only one patient underwent preoperative cardiac catheterisation and angiography. The surgical approach in all patients was through a median sternotomy and all except one were operated under cardiopulmonary bypass. There was no intraoperative embolisation. There was one perioperative death. Fourteen patients were followed up for periods ranging from one to 44 months. Three patients with malignant cardiac tumours died. One had recurrence of myxoma 21 months after the initial surgery. We conclude that excision of cardiac myxomas carry a very small risk following which patients have good prognosis. Malignant tumours carry a bad prognosis. From our experience, we conclude that echocardiography is an extremely accurate tool in the diagnosis of cardiac tumours.
A local anaesthetic agent with adrenalin meant for infiltration block was inadvertently given into spinal canal without any serious sequelae. The consequences of adrenalin in the subarachnoid space are discussed. Measures to prevent such accidents are suggested.
Effective treatment of wastewater is crucial in order to achieve a sustainable development. For instance, highly efficient treatment processes with low capital requirements are the major prerequisite for implementation of the advanced wastewater treatment operations. Among various available treatment methods, the application of coagulation-flocculation process by using natural coagulant; chitosan has vast advantages such as low operating cost, environmental friendly and highly effective in the wastewater treatment operations. The application of nanotechnology in numerous treatment techniques are considered as the most significant advances in water and wastewater treatment practices. The utilization of magnesium oxide (MgO) as nano-adsorbent has recently gained attention as a potential treatment method in water remediation particularly for treating effluents with high amount of organic dyes and heavy metals due to its high treatment efficiency, low cost, versatility and environment compatibility. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of coagulation-flocculation process when using novel coagulant in which MgO coated with chitosan by investigating the percentage removal of several significant parameters which were turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and suspended solid. The removal efficiencies were determined throughout a series of experiments carried out using a standard jar test procedure in which three different coagulants; chitosan, MgO coated with chitosan and MgO were tested on water samples taken from Sg. Pusu. In addition, a set of experiments was designed using response surface methodology (RSM) in order to optimize adsorption of chitosan into MgO. The experiments were conducted at various concentrations of chitosan (10-30 mg/ml) and selected MgO dosage ranges (10-30 mg). From the obtained results, it was found that chitosan-MgO coagulant has good removal efficiencies of turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and suspended solids at 92%, 91%, and 98% respectively from the optimization of adsorption of chitosan-MgO. The MgO coated with chitosan is the best coagulant in this study compared to chitosan and MgO alone because of the ability of treating the river water with up to 90 % removal for all the main parameters. The results showed that coagulation-flocculation is effective as a treatment for treating river water.
This study describes the review on maintenance related issues during design and construction stage
within construction industry. The paper highlights the causes and errors made during design and
construction stage and their impact during the operation/production/occupancy stage as well as the
maintenance costs associated with it. The study identifies the mistakes in the working processes within
design and construction stage leading to the errors that affect the durability, performance, reliability,
maintainability, availability and safety of the systems. The paper presents a comprehensive review of
the published literatures, journals, technical papers in the related areas in the construction field. The
review highlights the new approaches and decision framework which link the designers and
construction personnel that could reduce the errors and defects in construction which then lead to
maintenance issues and asset management. The factors of accessibility, materials, design and
documentation standardization have been discussed thoroughly for better understanding in improving
maintenance and physical asset management in project commissioning.
Apoptosis is a series of molecular signalling regulating normal cellular growth and development. Cells resistance to apoptosis, however, leads to uncontrolled proliferation. Research involving cancer cell death is one of the most important targeted areas in the discovery of novel anticancer therapy. There are several biochemical pathways that are liked towards cancer cell death of which, uridine-cytidine kinase 2 (UCK2) was recently linked to cell apoptosis induction. UCK2 is responsible for the phosphorylation of uridine and cytidine to their corresponding monophosphate in a salvage pathway of pyrimidine nucleotides biosynthesis. Cytotoxic ribonucleoside analogues that target UCK2 enzyme activity are currently being investigated in clinical trials useful for cancer treatment. Whilst findings have clearly shown that these antimetabolites inhibit cancer development in clinical settings, they have yet to establish linking cytotoxic nucleoside analogues to cancer cell death. In this present review, we propose the probable molecular crosstalk involving UCK2 protein and cancer cell death through cell cycle arrest and triggering of apoptosis involving proteins, MDM2 and the subsequent activation of p53.
In this work, a new model for federation data grid system called Sub-Grid-Federation was designed to
improve access latency by accessing data from the nearest possible sites. The strategy in optimising
data access was based on the process of searching into the area identified as ‘Network Core Area’
(NCA). The performance of access latency in Sub-Grid-Federation was tested based on the
mathematical proving and simulated using OptorSim simulator. Four case studies were carried out and
tested in Optimal Downloading Replication Strategy (ODRS) and the Sub-Grid-Federation. The results
show that Sub-Grid-Federation is 20% better in terms of access latency and 21% better in terms of
reducing remotes sites access compared to ODRS. The results indicate that the Sub-Grid-Federation
is a better alternative for the implementation of collaboration and data sharing in data grid system.
In today’s digital era, it is possible to use the latest technology to improve student attendance and performance. The purpose of the present study is to determine the relationship between absenteeism and academic performance among Calculus students, as well as to measure the impact of class absence on the student’s final exam scores. Based on this, the use of appropriate
strategy was employed, which is the mobile attendance application to reduce absenteeism among students in higher educational institution. The selection of sample was based on cluster sampling, involving the selection of 87 repeater students. The data collected were analyzed using quartile
regression and independent sample t-test. The result of the findings revealed that the class absence has an impact on the student’s final exam scores. This is because, if the student was absences by 1 class, the final exam score is expected to decrease on average by 1.89%. Hence, findings show that the percentage of absences for the students with manual attendance was higher
than the percentage of absences for the students with mobile attendance application. The application can help to reduce absenteeism by reminding students about recent attendance records.
Introduction: Children with visual impairment are reported to be at higher risk of poor oral health. They faced dif- ficulties in basic skills including oral care. For this reason, they may develop dental caries and periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of a group of visually impaired school children in Kuala Lumpur. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on students from a Special Education School in Kuala Lumpur. Oral examination was conducted to determine caries experience and oral hygiene status. Caries was mea- sured using DMFT index and simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) for oral hygiene status. Oral examination was based on modified World Health Organization (WHO) oral health assessment criteria for children. Chi-square test was used to determine associations between demographic variables and oral health status. Results: A total of 91 visually impaired students (41 blind, 50 low vision) within the age group of 13 to 17 years old participated in this study. The mean OHI-S score was 1.68 (SD 0.87) with majority of students had fair oral hygiene (39.6%) and 29.7% with poor and very poor oral hygiene. The mean DMFT score of total students were 0.80 (SD 1.62). Male students demonstrated significantly better oral health status than female in relation to prevalence and mean score of dental caries. Conclusion: Most of the visually impaired children in this study showed fair oral health status. Regular oral health education is recommended to improve the oral hygiene especially in the totally blind group.
Introduction: This study examines the psychometric characteristics of a translated version of the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI – II) among Malaysian school students. Methods: The sample consisted of 257 boys and 302 girls. This study employed WINSTEPS 3.74 to provide statistics and other information from Rasch Model analysis, namely, the fit statistics, dimensionality analysis, rating scale analysis, reliability and separation indices, differential item func- tioning analysis, and distribution of items difficulty and students’ ability. Results: Rating scale analysis showed that category 2 and category 3 of the ratings were not different. Meanwhile, Item 19 did not fit the model’s expectations; and thus, it was omitted from further analyses. The scale demonstrated a high person reliability and a high person separation index. There were no items demonstrating gender DIF. The school students endorsed feeling guilty as the least severe symptom of depression, while committing suicide as the most serious symptom. Conclusion: In general, the BDI-II demonstrated acceptable properties in measuring depression symptoms among school students.
The learning process has evolved tremendously over time. Notably, in the
21st century, different types of technologies are used to make learning
accessible anytime and anywhere to a generation of students who were
brought up during the age of digital technology and are familiar with
computers and the internet from an early age. Thus the Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics.(STEM) approach aims to help these students
understand and learn in the best way. The objective of this paper is to build
up students skill through their interest in Science, Technology, Reading, Art,
Mathematic.(STREAM) module. This paper focusses on one such way that is
mathematical learning outside the classroom. The ‘BizMath Challenge’
modul is an innovative project that is based on the curriculum of STREAM
and fulfills the mathematics syllabus at the primary school level. The
curriculum of STREAM is applied in this project to nurture the values of
learning through the five scopes of education. In addition, the concepts of IQ
(Intelligent Quotient), EQ (Emotional Quotient), problem solving and
innovation design are also employed. To measure the variables of the study,
a Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) is
used. R statistics programming is used to run the descriptive analysis and
correlation analysis. The results show that the BizMath Challenge brings
benefits students’ learning by improving their mathematical skills and
knowledge. Conventional methods are deemed less attractive to these
students who prefer learning outside their classrooms as they can connect
the lessons with their environment and everyday life. Therefore, educators
need to do a great job in preparing the change based on learning activities
and should start getting acquainted with STREAM projects.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm of the upper aerodigestive
tract, and presentation is usually at the late stages when the diagnosis is made. Recurrence
after 1st therapy is common especially in the locoregional area of the tumour. For cancers
affecting the oral cavity, oropharynx, and mandible, “COMMANDO” (Combined
Mandibulectomy and Neck Dissection Operation) is one of the surgical approaches which
constitutes of primary tumour resection, mandibulectomy and neck dissection. We describe a
case of rapid locoregional recurrence following 1st surgical procedure of bilateral tonsillectomy
and extended neck dissection of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in a young healthy
individual without history of alcohol and tobacco abuse involving the right buccal region which
after positron emission tomography was done, showed involvement of right pterygoid muscles,
right-sided tongue muscle, and right mandible. The patient underwent redo salvage surgery
and reconstruction with anterolateral thigh flap.