Repository@USM
Welcome to closed access digital repository of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
This repository contains multiple types of scholarly materials, especially USM theses and exam papers.
To access the full text, please log in with your USM email account.
Research outputs
6496
Projects
0
People
0
Recent Additions
- PublicationPancreas volume and fat deposition in type ii diabetes mellitus(2022)Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease associated with a defect of β cell function that causes insulin resistance characterised by hyperglycemia. In the diabetes mellitus population, the reduction of pancreatic volume and an increase in the pancreas attenuation cause uncontrolled sugar in patients. In patients with type II diabetes mellitus, there is a strong association between pancreas volume and pancreatic attenuation. Many studies conducted in Europe and other Asian countries showed diabetes mellitus has an association with reduced pancreas volume and an increase in pancreas attenuation in diabetes mellitus population. The aim of this study is to establish a significant reduction in pancreatic volume and an increase in the pancreatic attenuation in type II diabetes mellitus, in comparison with the non-diabetes mellitus population, based on the assessment using computed tomography (CT) among the Malaysian population. In Malaysia, no study has been conducted to evaluate pancreas changes among type II diabetes mellitus patients. The various external factors such as lifestyle, diet, and body habitus influence these pancreatic changes. Another objective is to see metabolic factors’ association with type II diabetes mellitus patients. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Hospital University Sains Malaysia (HUSM), Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia involving 74 subjects who underwent elective CT scan abdomen/pelvis for various other indications were enrolled in this study. Patients were classified into type II diabetes mellitus and non-diabetes mellitus. Among these subjects 39 were non-diabetic and 35 were diabetic. The age of these subjects ranged from 35 to 70 years old with a mean age of 56 years old. There were 34 female and 30 male subjects respectively. A single observer was used to measure the pancreatic volume and pancreas attenuation. CT abdomen images were analysed and measured at the workstation using the Picture Archive and Communication system (PACS). Pancreas volume were measured by using formula (APtail + APbody)/2 x L(body&tail) X CCbody + (APhead/2) x 3.14 x CC head. The CC diameter is calculated by multiplication of the number of sections of a particular part of the pancreas according to the slice thickness. The pancreas attenuation was obtained using ROI and measuring Hounsfield units between the pancreas and spleen, then using the formula to measure pancreas attenuation (HU p–s). The volume of pancreas and pancreas attenuation were then compared between type II diabetes mellitus and non-diabetes mellitus using an independent t-test. The covariates were analysed by using ANCOVA.Results The type II diabetic mellitus patients had a significantly smaller mean pancreas volume with a mean difference of 10.18cm3 (95% CI = 2.16, 18.20). The mean average of pancreatic volume with a standard deviation (SD) of 64.82cmᶾ in Type II Diabetes Mellitus and 75.00cmᶾ in Non-Diabetes Mellitus subjects. The pancreas volume is categorised into the normal or reduced size, in diabetic patients with a higher proportion of reduced pancreas (p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in normal pancreas attenuation between the type II diabetes mellitus and non-diabetes mellitus patients. The mean average of pancreatic attenuation HU (pancreas – spleen) has a standard deviation (SD) of – 4.7 and the standard deviation (SD) of type II diabetes mellitus and non-diabetes mellitus subjects was– 5.74 and – 3.86 respectively. The covariates age, HbA1c, and fasting blood sugar level significantly correlate with pancreatic volume in type II diabetes mellitus, in which all these variables had a moderate inverted correlation. Only body mass index (BMI) has a significant correlation with an increase in normal pancreatic attenuation with a moderate inverted correlation. Conclusion: Type II diabetes mellitus observed a significant reduction in pancreatic volume. For pancreatic volume, metabolic factors such as age, HbA1c, and fasting blood sugar have a moderate inverted correlation. However, the normal pancreatic attenuation doesn’t show a significant correlation between type II diabetes mellitus and the non- diabetes Mellitus population. In type II diabetes mellitus only, BMI shows a significant correlation with an increase in pancreas attenuation
- PublicationQuality of life among female breast cancer patients in Kelantan(2022)Background: Breast cancer is known to be the leading cause of malignancy related deaths among women worldwide and it is well documented that breast cancer alone is responsible for approximately 30% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases in women. Due to the recent increase in incidence of breast cancer there is an increase of interest in assessing the quality of life of breast cancer patients. The goal of this study is to investigate the quality of life (QOL) scores among female breast cancer patients in Kelantan. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of breast cancer patients which was conducted between December 2021 and to March 2022.European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life self-administered Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ – C30) and its breast cancer supplementary measure (QLQ – BR23) were used to determine QOL scores. The QLQ - C30 and QLQ - BR23 questionnaires were used to assess to assess functional and symptoms scale. The QLQ – c30 questionnaire was also used to assess the Global Health Status. Systematic randomized sampling was used to recruit the respondents. Result: A total of 280 respondents were recruited with a response rate of 100%. It was noted that the mean age of the participants in this study were 52.9 years of age. Majority of the respondents fell into the age group between 50-59 years of age (32.1%) and were predominantly post-menopausal (64.1%). More than 80 % of the respondents were of Malay ethnicity (84.3%), followed by Chinese (11.8%), Siamese (2.1%), Indians (2.1%) and Others (0.7%). Patients who were classified as others were of Indonesian nationality. The majority of respondents reported that they were diagnosed within 2 years (45.4%), More than one-third of the patients were diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer (36.2%),followed by (31.2%) who were diagnosed at stage 4 and (27.2%) who were diagnosed at stage 3. Only a mere (5.4%) of patients were diagnosed at stage 1. The mean Global Health Score was 60.4. Summarizing the QLQ-C30 questionnaire, cognitive functioning has the highest mean score among the functioning scale (67.9,SD=31.09),while fatigue had the highest mean score in the symptom scale (53.8,SD=29.65).Looking at the QLQ-BR23 questionnaire ,sexual function had the highest mean score for the functional scales (77.1,SD=25.63) followed by body image (58.2,SD=30.08), while upset by hair loss had the highest mean score for the symptoms scale (64.4,SD=35.16) followed by arm symptoms (41.3,SD=32.17). Conclusion: Income and an early breast cancer (Stage 1 and 2) were found to be a significant predictor of Global Health Status (GHS). Quality of life which is reflected by GHS improves as employment increases and with an early diagnosis of breast cancer. Specific measures should be undertaken to increase awareness, education and early breast cancer screening to aid in early detection and prompt treatment of breast cancer
- PublicationKnowledge, attitude and practice associated with child abuse among the school teachers in Malaysia(2022)Introduction: Child abuse is not a new phenomenon. It happens in all over the world. This study aims to measure the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards child abuse, and determine the predictive factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice among the teachers in Malaysia. With the new understanding on child abuse, this would allow better evaluation and provision of the child abuse law among the school teachers in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted throughout the month of January to February 2022, by enrolling 257 respondents. We utilised a validated questionnaire that was uploaded to Google Forms, a web-based application used to create and edit surveys online. A link to the questionnaire was generated in the form of URL address and QR code, which subsequently was shared via the online platforms such as Whatsapp and Telegram messaging services, Facebook, and Twitter. The questionnaire consists of six parts pertaining to knowledge, attitude and practice regarding child abuse. Results: A total of 257 school teachers were included in the study. The majority of the respondents were Malay (91.1%), Women (73.9%) and Married (86.4%). Median score for practice was 2 (IQR 4) and for knowledge was 2.5(IQR 1). Marriage, education, gender and higher education level were significantly associated and interdependently variable with knowledge, attitude and practice regarding child abuse with p-value < 0.05. Male gender has significant associations with poor attitude. Higher education level with male gender were the significant negative predictors for poor knowledge. Conclusion: The likelihood of poor knowledge, attitude and practice among school teachers in Malaysia may be attributed from the lack of awareness, training and education about child abuse. Teachers’ roles as ‘reporters’ for child abuse cases can be controversial. Improving training model and aggressive education strategies may boost the knowledge, attitude and practice about child abuse among the school teachers in Malaysia
- PublicationThe effectiveness of chronic kidney disease education towards knowledge, attitude, practice and HBA1C amongst uncontrolled type 2 diabetic patients in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia(2022)Introduction: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing progressively among diabetes patients in Malaysia. Thus, CKD education is important in order to prevent or slow the progression of CKD. Objective: This study was done to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, reported practice (KAP) and HbA1c level among uncontrolled diabetics before and after the CKD educational. Methodology: This is a randomized controlled trial in outpatient clinic from February till May 2021. 68 participants were in the intervention and control group respectively. KAP on CKD was assessed using self-administered validated questionnaires at first visit and again at two-, and twelve-weeks post intervention. HbA1c was taken at baseline and 12 weeks. The difference in mean score at 2 weeks and 12 weeks post intervention was calculated to determine the effectiveness of CKD education. Results: Mean and standard deviation of KAP for intervention group before the CKD educational were 27.3 ± 4.63, 23.89 ± 3.52, and 9.73 ± 2.18 at baseline and had increased to 28.04 ±2.75, 24.14 ± 3.10 and 10.34 ± 1.70 after 2 weeks and 28.54 ± 3.67, 25.07 ± 3.24 and 10.30 ± 1.89 after 12 weeks of the intervention. The mean difference of each KAP score was 1.18 (95% CI 0.07,2.28, p<0.05), 0.10 (95% CI: -0.817,1.025, p=0.82) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.227,1.289, p<0.001) respectively. The group*time interaction of repeated measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction showed the increase mean difference in knowledge and practice score showed significant changes. However, there was no significant difference mean in attitude score and HbA1c level between intervention and control group. Many participants did not return to clinic for repeat HbA1c due to Covid-19 Conclusion: Chronic kidney education is effective in improving the knowledge and practice of CKD prevention among patients with uncontrolled diabetes
- PublicationAssessing informal caregiver burden as well as knowledge on positioning and feeding of stroke patients in Hospital USM(2022)Background: Stroke contributes to high morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. In a developing country like Malaysia, most stroke patients are taken care of by informal or family caregivers. Most of them did not receive adequate preparation and training. Hence may lead to an increase in caregiver burden. To date, there is a lack of information to correlate caregiving knowledge with the caregiver burden of stroke patients. This study examines the relationship between caregiver burden, caregiving knowledge, and demographic data of the informal caregiver of stroke patient in Hospital USM. Method: This cross-sectional study involves informal caregivers attending Rehabilitation Unit in Hospital USM. Caregiving knowledge and caregiver burden were measured using previously translated and validated CKQ-My (on positioning and feeding) and Zarit Burden Interview. Socio-demographic data of patients and caregivers also were sampled and analysed. Descriptive and multivariate statistics were used for data analysis. Result: Total of 76 participants were analysed, 87.8% of them had poor knowledge in positioning of stroke patient. Otherwise, all 46 participant whose been assessed for feeding knowledge showed to had good knowledge (mean score 15.59± 2.29). About half of informal caregiver experience burden (47.88%) in taking care of stroke patient and majority of them categorized in mild to moderate (42.1 %). Multiple logistic regression demonstrated that caregivers who taking care of stroke patient with MRS 4-5 has 4.9 higher odd compared to stroke patient with MRS 1-3 to experience caregiver burden (Adjusted OR= 4.9 ; 95% CI: 1.5 - 15.96; P=0.032). For non-primary caregiver has 94% lower odd to get burden compared to primary caregiver (Adjusted OR = 0.06 ; 95% CI: 0.02- 0.247 ; P= < 0.001). Conclusion: Informal caregivers of stroke patients at Hospital USM had poor knowledge on positioning, but good knowledge in feeding. Besides, they also experienced mild to moderate burden. Only Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) of stroke patient and type of caregiver (primary vs. non-primary) was found to be associated with the caregivers’ burden
Most viewed
- PublicationDesign and development of effective tool changer for cobot(2024-08)This Final Year Project (FYP) focuses on the escalating technological needs amid Malaysia's industrial revolution, particularly in the realm of robotics. The project addresses the evolution of robotic arms, emphasizing the pivotal role of Collaborative Robots (Cobots) in bridging the gap between human workers and automation. Despite the benefits of Cobots, a notable challenge persists in the form of rigid end effectors, limiting their functionality. The FYP aims to evaluate existing tool changer solutions and develop a prototype that overcomes these limitations. By intricately examining the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed tool changer design, this research contributes to enhancing the collaborative capabilities of Cobots in real-world applications, thereby advancing the landscape of robotics in Industry 4.0. The adaptive tool changer with lighter design, effective passive mechanical locking mechanism, demonstrated significant improvements in engagement and disengagement tolerances without any electrical components needed is successfully designed in this project.
- ItemBases of power and influence tactics(2007)The general objective of this study was to examine the supervisors’ and subordinates’ use of power and their relationships to supervisors’ use of influence tactics. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to examine power congruence and its impact on influence tactics in manufacturing companies in Malaysia. The present research differs from the previous studies by linking power congruence between supervisors’ and subordinates’ power either from self or as perceived by their subordinates or supervisors with three dimensions of influence tactics known as, hard, soft, and rational appeal tactics. This study is perhaps the first that tested “congruence hypothesis” in leadership framework. The objective was to gain insight into ways by which the management of manufacturing companies might use their power to enhance the effective use of influence tactics on their subordinates. Ten broadly hypothesized relationships were tested in a field study with a sample of 385 pairs of supervisors and subordinates working in 82 manufacturing companies in Selangor/Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Sarawak. Data were gathered from both supervisors and their subordinates by means of questionnaires. Methodologically, past research had been prone to common method bias. However, this study has demonstrated to be relatively free from this bias by collecting data from two sources. By and large, the results from the analyses have indicated moderate support for the hypotheses. This study is perhaps the first to generate a new set of power congruence items in which simultaneous measurement from two perspectives-supervisors and subordinates-were taken to examine the aspect of mutuality. The first four hypotheses which investigate the direct relationship between supervisors or subordinates power and influence tactics revealed that supervisors would apply various influence tactics on their subordinates. Rational appeal tactics has exhibited the highest mean as compared with soft and hard influence tactics in the direct relationship between power and influence tactics. For the indirect hypotheses, only one particular dimension of influence tactics was found significant for each power congruence hypotheses. The results confirmed that when both supervisors and subordinates were perceived to have position power, the use of hard influence tactics was most apparent. Conversely, when both of them were seen to have personal power, supervisors would resort to the use of soft influence tactics. Inevitably, this study provides a conceptual foundation for the effective use of influence tactics. This study may be useful for those who are in positions of influence, to help the supervisors and subordinates understand more clearly the bases of their own actions, and the possible alternatives to their actions. Practically, this research points to the fact that Malaysian managers and executives need to be trained in the effective use of influence tactics.
- PublicationInterleukin-23 (IL-23) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) expression in murine macrophage cell line J774A.1 stimulated with recombinant bcg (rBCG) clone expressing MSP-1C of Plasmodium falciparum.(2015)Malaria is a disease caused by a Plasmodium parasite that is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum') is the most deadly to humans. In Malaysia, malaria is still one of the most important vector-borne diseases, primarily in Sarawak and Sabah. The 19-kDa merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1C) of Plasmodium is a primary candidate for a malaria vaccine as it is highly immunogenic in humans. The inhibition of MSP-1C was previously proposed to be one of the possible mechanisms for the inhibition of merozoite invasion. Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a cytokine composed of pl9 and p40 subunits which involve in the stimulation of memory CD4+ T cells. The mechanism of IL-23 regulation has been shown to be dependent on signalling molecules known as Mitogen- Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) which consist of the p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-tenninal kinase (JNK). This study was conducted to determine IL-23 expression by ELISA followed by the detection of signalling pathways activated by Western Blot analysis in macrophages stimulated with rBCG. Macrophage cell line J774A.1 were incubated in DMEM with 10% FBS. The cell was stimulated with BCG and rBCG for 24 and 48 hours. For each incubation time, flasks containing macrophage cultures were scrapped and centrifuged. The supernatant were collected for ELISA analysis while the cell pellets were collected for Western Blot analysis. ELISA result shows that there is an increase of IL-23 expression from 24 to 48 hours; however statistical analysis shows no significant difference. For signalling molecules, only ERK was found to be induced by rBCG stimulation, but not for p38 and JNK. As a conclusion, IL-23 expression is induced in response to rBCG stimulation and it is dependent on ERK signalling molecules.
- ItemThe significance of social capital in intergenerational social mobility of former Indian plantation based communities(2009)This thesis presents a micro-sociological study of socio-cultural consequences of the changing landscape of the Malaysian plantation that have undergone significant development and restructuring. Changes in terms of recapitalisation and reorientation of the plantation towards capital intensive ventures has directly affected the social fabric of the plantation community. One of the most significant change is the displacement of workers when the plantation is restructured by closure. The thesis seeks to analyse the extend and the capacity of the displaced workers, to adapt and adjust to the new social environment while burdened by the constraints of the historically embedded encapsulating social and cultural sub-system of the ‘estate culture’, noted for its culture of poverty habitus. The main objective is to study the historical processes that contribute to the crystallisation of the ‘estate culture’ and the structure that encapsulate and at the same time marginalise plantation workers within the constraints of peripheral network of estate habitus. Based on an ethnographic study of the experiences of former plantation workers, this thesis shows that the combined effect of the long history of exploitation and peripheralisation subsequent condition of marginalisation has encapsulated the plantation in a convoluted close system, that retard significant social mobility through lack of significant social network and viable social capital. Even though there are some who choose to leave the plantation, this thesis shows that it does not constitute social mobility. For those who still remain within the plantation vicinity, are relatively incapacitated by limited access to education, skills, training and access to networks and linkages. Attempt to integrate the ex-plantation workers into mainstream society necessitates a social reorientation from the historically crystallised capsule of the ‘estate habitus.’ This can only be achieved with the help of a safety net provided for by the government, civil society and the plantation owners notwithstanding.
- PublicationZero energy indoor vertical farming system with internet of things (IOT) monitoring(2023-08)This project proposes a zero-energy indoor vertical farming system that utilizes the Internet of Things (IoT) for monitoring and control. The method seeks to address issues with urban areas' lack of space, high energy use and lack of access to food. The proposed system integrates renewable energy sources, such as solar panels to power the vertical farming system and reduce the reliance on the grid. The system may be made to store extra energy produced throughout the day in batteries for use at night or at times when there is little sunlight. The idea of using 18V solar panel and 12V 4.5Ah lead acid battery will be applied in this project. Because the indoor atmosphere can be adjusted and optimized for plant development, it also enables agricultural production throughout the year, independent of the weather. Moreover, it makes use of IoT technology to monitor and regulate environmental elements like lighting and water level to enhance plant growth and save water usage. It reduces water consumption through the use of recirculating hydroponic systems based on real-time environmental data. There will be 3 water level sensors will be used in this project. Real-time data from the system's sensors may be examined and utilized to change agricultural conditions remotely, enabling effective resource management. Overall, the zero-energy indoor vertical farming system with IoT monitoring offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for urban agriculture. It has the potential to revolutionize the way we produce food by reducing water consumption, optimizing crop growth and improving resource management. By integrating renewable energy and IoT technology, this system can contribute to both food security and environmental sustainability.