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- PublicationBrain activity and changes in depressive symptoms following cognitive restructuring in depressive disorders: a case series(2025)Depression is a major mental health concern with psychological and neurobiological underpinnings. Cognitive restructuring (CR), a core component of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), is effective in reducing negative automatic thoughts and depressive symptoms, yet few studies have examined its neural effects using electroencephalography (EEG), particularly in Malaysia. This case series explored clinical and neurophysiological outcomes of a structured CR intervention in individuals with depressive disorders. Three female participants aged 20-23 years old with clinically diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder (one also with underlying Persistent Depressive Disorder) completed six individual CR sessions. Resting-state EEG (eyes closed, eyes open) was recorded pre- and post-intervention, focusing on absolute alpha (8–13 Hz) and theta (4–7 Hz) power at the F3 electrode, associated with emotional regulation. Clinical measures included the Malay versions of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ). All participants showed clinically meaningful improvements. Participant 1: BDI 34 to 20, BAI 27 to 23, ATQ (items 4–5) 14 to 8. Participant 2: BDI 32 to 19, BAI 10 to 4, ATQ 18 to 1. Participant 3: BDI 20 to 3, BAI 21 to 0, ATQ 5 to 0. EEG results showed participant-specific changes: Participant 1 had modest increases in both bands; Participant 2 showed reduced alpha (EC) but increased alpha (EO) and marked theta gains; Participant 3 had large alpha and theta increases, especially theta (EC: 0.04 to 42.09 μV²). Findings suggest CR may reduce depressive symptoms and negative thoughts while inducing measurable resting-state EEG changes, particularly in alpha and theta bands. EEG shows promise for monitoring individualised neural responses to psychotherapy, supporting integration into clinical practice and culturally relevant care in Malaysia.
- PublicationExploring the experiences and inner strengths of caregivers of children with leukemia in Malaysia: a qualitative study(2025)Childhood leukemia presents not only a significant health challenge for young patients but also imposes a profound caregiving burden on their families. In Malaysia, where leukemia accounts for the highest childhood cancer mortality rate, there is a critical lack of qualitative research exploring the lived experiences and psychological resources of caregivers. This study aimed to explore the experiences and inner strengths of caregivers of children with leukemia in Malaysia. It sought to understand the multifaceted challenges they face and the coping mechanisms they utilize, filling a major gap in existing literature. A qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach was employed to gain in-depth insights into caregivers’ lived experiences. Data were collected from 10 primary caregivers through semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted online. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was performed with the aid of Atlas.Ti software, and the identified themes were validated by one expert in the field to ensure credibility and trustworthiness. Findings revealed five experiential themes, which include emotional turmoil, social challenges, family and role conflict, work commitment challenges, and financial burden. Despite these challenges, caregivers exhibited four key inner strengths, which include positive appraisal, spirituality, resilience, and personal growth. Many caregivers reframed their experiences positively, found strength in religious beliefs, utilized support systems, and developed a deeper appreciation for life. This study offers a holistic understanding of the caregiving experience in the context of paediatric leukemia in Malaysia. The findings highlight the dual nature of caregiving, which is marked by emotional and practical struggles, yet also by the emergence of psychological resilience and growth. These insights can inform the development of culturally sensitive interventions, such as psychosocial support programs, caregiver education, and resilience training. Ultimately, this study contributes to a strengths-based framework for supporting caregivers and enhancing the well-being of families affected by childhood leukemia in Malaysia.
- PublicationImpact Of Internet Money Market Funds On Loans Of Commercial Banks In China(2025-01)Commercial banks in china began issuing internet money funds in 2013, and by 2023, its total net market value could rival the combined deposits of china's four largest commercial banks. As internet money funds divert large amounts of bank deposits, they may reduce the source of funding for bank loans, leading to weak growth in the lending business. Between 2014 and 2022, 50% of the listed banks' loan size growth rate showed a downward trend. According to the theory of substitution effect, there is a certain degree of substitution effect between internet money funds and deposits; meanwhile, bank deposits serve as the primary source of funding for bank loans, significantly impacting bank loans. Therefore, this thesis investigates the impact of internet money funds on lending operations as well as the mediation effect of deposits in said impact. A panel model with dynamic features is estimated using the gmm method and analyzed using nine years of annual data from twenty commercial banks listed in china before 2014. The study found that the rapid growth in internet money funds dampened the size of loans. Deposits play a mediating role of 27.42% in the influence of internet money funds on bank loans. As a result, banks need to take a series of measures to boost their lending business, such as imposing restrictions on internet money funds, rationalizing their pricing, and increasing the yield on deposits.
- PublicationEvaluation Of Colour Stability, Gloss, Microhardness And Surface Roughness Between Microhybrid And Nano-Based Light Cured Composites In Different Ph Solutions(2024-12)Nanotechnology in dentistry is not something new. The application of nanotechnology provides many advantages and benefits especially in the production of high-quality restorative materials. Research and continuous improvement are conducted to ensure that the newly developed composite resins have superior characteristics that are resistant to mechanical challenges to remain and sustain in the oral environment for a lifetime. This study aims to evaluate the influence of various types of beverages that are widely used in malaysia on colour stability, surface gloss, microhardness, and surface roughness of contemporary composite resins. A total of 450 samples were fabricated from the three types of composites tested; filtektm 250; filtektm 250 xt; filtektm 350 xt (n=150). All samples were immersed in five immersion solutions consisting of distilled water, artificial saliva, soft drink, energy drink and instant black coffee for 100 days. Findings of this study was analysed using one-way anova and post-hoc test at significant level of p<0.05. The results of the study showed that all the composites immersed in various ph levels experienced a significant change in colour and gloss after the assessment periods of 24 hours, d10, d20, d30, d60 and d100 using a colorimeter and gloss meter. Evaluations of the microhardness level using vickers hardness test was performed at 24 hours, d30 and d100 found that nanofilled composites present a higher strength against mechanical stress compared to microhybrid composites.
- PublicationPrevalence And Clinico-Laboratory Characteristics Of Mono Dengue And Dengue-Malaria Dual Infection And Their Association With Acute Kidney Injury Among Patients In Pakistan Tertiary Care Hospitals(2024-12)Dengue and malaria have similar clinical manifestations and laboratory characteristics, thus making it difficult to distinguish between the two infections during the endemic period. Dengue viral infection is a debilitating and dangerous vector-borne disease that has spread rapidly and becoming endemic in many parts of the world in recent years. According to world health organization (who) survey in pakistan plasmodium vivax prevalence is 84%. While, 14.9% and 1.1% cases were due to p. Falciparum and mixed infection respectively. Dengue fever is the major cause of illness and death geographically. Despite of aggressive precautionary measures, pakistan is still facing worsening dengue crisis over the past few years. It warrants an urgent need to evaluate dengue cases and dual infection cases to understand its clinico-laboratory spectrum in order to combat with these infectious diseases. Moreover, recent data indicated the rapid but transient rise in serum creatinine associated with the dengue induced acute kidney injury (aki) among dengue patients. This is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in dengue patients. Aki is still a neglected complication of dengue mono infection and dengue malaria dual infection in pakistan.
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- PublicationBiodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (pva) /carboxymethyl cellulose (cmc) halochromic film using natural dye from red cabbage(2024-08-01)The conventional pH indicator film is often synthetic and non-biodegradable, which can contribute to pollution and environmental degradation. In this research, a biodegradable halochromic film was fabricated using natural dye (anthocyanin) from red cabbage, PVA, and CMC and formed into film through the solution casting method. Solid-liquid extraction method was used to extract anthocyanin from red cabbage, and the optimum parameters, such as type of solvent, temperature, and time to extract a higher amount of anthocyanin, were determined. Responsiveness of halochromic film with different amounts of PVA/CMC (100/0, 80/20, 60/40, 40/60, 20/80, 0/100) was determined by using air exposure from different pH buffer solutions (pH 2–pH 12) by observing the colour change within 120 seconds and analysing the total colour difference (ΔE) by using colour analysis software. Characterization of the film was done through FTIR, swelling test, tensile test and reusability test. The finding shows the optimum parameters to extract higher amounts of anthocyanin were a 1:1 ratio of ethanol to distilled water, 70°C of heating, and an extracted duration of 30 minutes. The halochromic film with higher CMC content undergoes a faster and more obvious colour change when air exposure to different pH buffer solutions. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus increase, while elongation at break decreases as CMC content increases. Anthocyanin halochromic film shows a good sensor at pH 2, 11, and 12 as it changes to red at pH 2, green at pH 11 and greenish yellow at pH 12. Halochromic film made from 60% PVA and 40% CMC shows a balance in both colour response time and mechanical properties.
- ItemMalaysian radiographers administering intraveneous contrast media injection : radiographers' and other healthcare practitioners' perspectives(Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2016-02)Administration of intravenous contrast media (IVCM) injections by radiographers is one of the aspects that could be achieved to enhance patient care. However, Malaysian radiographers cannot perform IVCM injections. The examination requiring IVCM injections are delayed until authorized healthcare practitioners fulfil the task. Consequently, this results in the increment of waiting time and may incite distraction for those practitioners who were concentrating on the other procedures at the same time. Ultimately, it will negatively impact on patient care and service delivery. Therefore, this study was aimed to develop and validate questionnaires concerning obstacles, consequences and possibilities of Malaysian radiographers performing IVCM injections. Also. It was aimed to identify the perceived hindrances and consequences may result from Malaysian radiographers performing IVCM injections, to determine the associated factors of practicing hospital, gender and designation on perceived obstacles and consequences of participants, to determine participants‟ agreement on the inclusion of IVCM administration into radiographers‟ syllabus and provision of IVCM administration and role extension for radiographers by MOH, to examine correlation between participants‟ agreement on the inclusion of IVCM administration into radiographers‟ syllabus and provision of IVCM administration and role extension for radiographers by MOH and yet to determine any significant difference exist between means score for radiographers group andother healthcare practitioners group on inclusion of IVCM administration into radiographers‟ syllabus and provision of IVCM administration and role extension for radiographers by MOH. Cross sectional and qualitative study was conducted using newly designed questionnaires involving seven hundred sixteen (716) participants for which constitute of five hundred twenty five (525) radiographers (R), eighty (80) radiologists (S), fifty eight (58) medical officers (MO) and fifty three (53) state registered nurses (SRN). They were drawn from diagnostic imaging department of thirteen (13) principal government hospitals in the Malaysia, with strategy of convenience sampling and were surveyed using questionnaires. The content validity index (CVI) for two (2) sets of developed tools for R and S, MO, SRN was 0.968 and 0.970 respectively. The reliability test (Cronbach‟s alpha) for internal consistency ranges from 0.735 to 0.824. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to analyse data. From the total number of participants, 62.3% agreed IVCM administration is not in the syllabus of radiographers training program. 84.8% of participants viewed improvement of radiographers‟ knowledge and skills whilst 69.0% conceded time reducing as the consequences. Overall, 84.4% were in favour of radiographers undertaking IVCM injections. T-test indicated significant difference between means score for radiographers group and other healthcare practitioners group on inclusion of IVCM administration into radiographers‟ syllabus and provision of IVCM administration and role extension for radiographers by Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH), p<0.001. In conclusion, most of the participants were in favour for radiographers to undertake this role. The major obstacle was IVCM administration is not in syllabus of radiographers training program. An appropriate training concomitant with recognition through regulation for Malaysianradiographers to undertake IVCM injections role therefore is imperative to support their extended role in this field.
- ItemDevelopment Of Ultrasonic Cautery System(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2021-07-01)The use of piezoelectric element as the primary ultrasonic transducer is prevalent in ultrasonic cautery system. Proper method to characterize an ultrasonic scalpel has become an important design process. In this study, an ultrasonic scalpel prototype was characterized using both finite element modelling and experimental procedures. FEM simulation software, Abaqus was utilized to investigate preloading effects, proper longitudinal mode shape, resonant frequency, and mechanical response due to harmonic excitation. Experimental modal and harmonic analyses were used for experimental validation. The simulated results were in accordance to the theoretical calculation for the preloading effects, where sufficient compressive stress of 27 MPa was imposed onto the piezoceramic rings and an internal stress developed within the bolt approached 190 MPa. Modal analysis detected a resonant frequency at 47740 Hz with a dominant longitudinal mode shape. For harmonic analysis, simulated result suggested 76.85 microns of mechanical displacement amplitude while experimental procedure measured 54 microns. The results concluded that the ultrasonic scalpel was successfully characterized.
- ItemRole of repeat head computed tomography in the management of mild traumatic brain injury patients with a positive initial head ct.(Pusat Pengajian Sain Perubatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2010)The advent of computed tomography (CT) has revolutionized the approach to mild traumatic brain injured (MTBI) patients. CT scan has now become standard practice in the initial management of MTBI patients. Those with a positive initial head CT not requiring surgical intervention will be warded for continuous neurological observation. As a routine, a repeat head CT is frequently ordered within 24 to 48 hours, even without any clinical neurological deterioration in patients condition. The logic of this practice is questionable as convincing evidence is lacking. Indiscriminate ordering of radiological tests puts a strain on the healthcare system, especially so in Malaysia since less than 30 government hospitals nationwide are equipped with CT scans. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the role of routine repeat head CT in providing useful information that leads to a neurosurgical intervention. This is a prospective observational study of MTBI patients admitted to the Neurosurgical ward, Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Johor Bahru from 1st June 2008 to 30th September 2009. A total of 279 patients was included in the study after meeting the inclusion criteria. MTBI is defined as Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 13, 14 or 15, with at least one of the following; head trauma with loss of consciousness lasting < 30 minutes; Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13 or more; post-traumatic amnesia lasting < 24 hours; any mental alteration at time of injury; and/or any transient or persistent neurological signs. A head CT is considered positive if there was a suspicion or clear evidence of an intracranial pathology. The result of the first head CT were obtained from the radiological report from this hospital's radiologist, or when not available, from the attending neurosurgeon's interpretation as documented in the case notes. The patient's demographic data, initial neurological examination findings, and biochemical analyses were documented. Neurological status was also documented until discharge. The results of the repeat head CT scan were obtained from the radiological report from the hospital's radiologist or from the attending neurosurgeon's notes. These were categorized as improved, unchanged or worsened. Any other additional neuroradiologic imaging or neurosurgical interventions were noted until discharge. Patients were divided into two groups, one with an unchanged or improving repeat head CT (n = 217) while the other with a worsened repeat head CT (n = 62). 31 patients received urgent surgical intervention after the repeat head CT was done. In all cases, neurological deterioration preceded and prompted an urgent repeat head CT. When the 62 patients with the worsened repeat head CT were compared to the other 217 patients, they were found to have significant statistical correlation with older age ( ~ 65 years old) (p value< 0.001), lower GCS on admission (p value= 0.003), associated symptoms of headache (p value= 0.019), multiple lesion on initial head CT (p value = 0.001), haemoglobin levels on admission (p value = 0.009), longer hospital stay (p value< 0.001), higher mortality rate (p value= 0.001), higher risk to undergo surgical intervention (p value < 0.001) and higher risk for neurological deterioration (p value < 0.001 ). There was no significant difference on gender, ethnic groups, mechanism of injury, other associated symptoms on admission, types of intracranial injury on initial head CT, types of skull fracture sustained and International Normalized Ratio levels. On applying multiple logistic regression, three factors were found to independently predict a worse repeat head CT. This includes age 2: 65 years old, GCS of less than 15 (i.e. 13 or 14) and multiple lesions on initial head CT. The role of a repeat head CT in MTBI patients with a positive initial head CT have been evaluated in this study. Without a clinical neurological deterioration, a repeat head CT did not change the surgical outcome of patients. Patients with a GCS of 13 - 15 can be easily observed and assessed in the neurosurgical ward, therefore it is unnecessary to order a repeat head CT in all MTBI patients. Due vigilance is warranted in those with risk factors for a worsening repeat head CT.
- ItemFactors Influencing Continuance Usage Intention Of E-Filing System Among Taxpayers In Malaysia(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2014-02)In this current competitive environment, it is important for businesses to accentuate on continuance usage as the key for long term growth. It has been argued that the longer a business can keep a customer, the greater the revenue can be earned from that customer and the cost of serving the customer also declines. Malaysian Government has spent huge amount of money in developing the e-Filing system which is receiving much attention and there has been an upward trend in the adoption of the system among taxpayers in the first five years. However, while initial acceptance of information system (IS) is very important toward realizing IS success but its eventual success depend on its continued use rather than first-time use. In this vein, investigating the continuance usage intention of e-filing system is deemed to be important because as more citizens use the e-filing system the more operation and management cost can be reduced. As such, the purpose of this study was to examine the continuance usage intention of the e-filing system among taxpayers in Malaysia based on three important individual beliefs which is trust in the system, personality and optimism bias. The sample size comprises 731 taxpayers from the urban states of Peninsular Malaysia which comprises Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Johor were collected and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).