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.
“Any doctoral thesis or academic work owned by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) that is downloaded through its official platforms shall not be shared, distributed, printed, or reproduced in any form to third parties without explicit written permission from USM. Any breach of this condition constitutes a violation of institutional intellectual property rights and may result in disciplinary action, legal proceedings, or revocation of academic credentials, depending on the severity of the offence.”
To access the full text, please log in with your USM email account.
Research outputs
6935
Projects
0
People
0
Recent Additions
- PublicationCurcumin as adjuvant treatment in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): A systematic review and meta-analysis(2022)Objective: The aim of this review is to determine the effect of curcumin on the liver ultrasonographic morphology, and the effectiveness of curcumin as adjuvant treatment for NAFLD. Methods: The Cohcrane library and PubMed were searched systematically to identify randomized controlled trials from 2000 to January 2021. The primary outcomes were NAFLD severity, liver steatosis resolution, liver scarring, liver enzymes, also lipid profiles. 16 RCTs with a total of 1028 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Results: Curcumin improved NAFLD severity (RR: 3.52, 95% CI 1.27 to 9.72; P = 0.02) and increased the liver steatosis resolution (RR 3.96, 95% CI 1.54 to 10.17; P = 0.004) based on the liver ultrasonographic finding. Curcumin supplementation reduced aspartate aminotransferase (MD -4.00, 95% CI -5.72 to -2.28; P < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (MD -7.02, 95% CI -9.83 to -4.20; P < 0.001), total cholesterol (MD -11.86, 95% CI -19.25 to -4.46; P = 0.002) and BMI (MD: -0.41, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.07; P = 0.02). Conclusion: Curcumin supplementation has a favourable effect on liver ultrasonographic findings, reduced serum liver enzymes, total cholesterol, and BMI in participants with NAFLD. Therefore, promoting curcumin as adjuvant treatment on NAFLD patients might be justified.
- PublicationEvaluation of retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and choroidal thickness in parkinson disease patients(2022)Introduction Parkinson Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by specific motor features. Visual symptoms are also frequently involved. The human retina is considered part of the central nervous system in humans. Choroid is the ocular vascular layer that plays an important role in retina function. Anatomical changes in the retina and choroid may occur in patients diagnosed with neurodegenerative disorders such as PD. Retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and choroidal thickness (CT) could be additional useful parameters to diagnose PD. By conducting this study, we hope to highlight the potential of RNFL thickness and CT analysis as neurodegenerative biomarkers for PD. Objective To evaluate the RNFL thickness and CT in PD patients. Methodology A comparative cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. There were 39 PD patients and 39 normal controls recruited. These 2 groups were gender and age matched. Subjects that fulfilled the inclusion criteria underwent ocular examinations and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations in the right eye for peripapillary RNFL thickness and CT evaluation. Independent t-test, chi-square, ANCOVA, and Pearson’s correlation were used in the statistical analysis. Results There was statistically significant reduction of RNFL thickness in average (adjusted mean 88.87μm; 95% CI = 86.36, 91.38 vs 94.82μm; 95% CI = 92.32, 97.33; P = 0.001), superior (adjusted mean 110.08μm; 95% CI = 106.07, 114.09 vs 119.10μm; 95% CI = 115.09, 123.11; P = 0.002) and temporal (adjusted mean 63.77μm; 95% CI = 60.64, 66.90 vs 70.36μm; 95% CI = 67.23, 73.49; P = 0.004) in PD group compared to controls. There was significant reduction of central subfoveal CT (adjusted mean 271.13μm; 95% CI = 264.67, 277.60 vs 285.10μm; 95% CI = 278.63, 291.56; P = 0.003) in PD group compared to controls. There was significant weak negative correlation between the duration of PD with average RNFL thickness in PD patients (r = -0.354, P = 0.027). There was significant moderate negative correlation between the duration of PD with central subfoveal CT in PD patients (r = -0.493, P = 0.001), and weak negative correlation between the stage of PD with central subfoveal CT in PD patients (r = -0.380, P = 0.017). Conclusion The mean of average, superior and temporal RNFL thickness and CT was significantly lower in PD group than controls.
- PublicationEvaluation Of Polyhydroxyalkanoate (Pha) Films Containing Stingless Bees (Geniotrigona Thoracica) Propolis For Burn Wound Healing In A Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat Model(2025-10)Wounded or damaged tissues on the skin are replaced with freshly created new tissues during the wound healing process. Propolis exhibit diverse array of bioactivities and chemical composition which possess nutritive, medicinal and health benefits, including the potential as a wound healing agent. Pha is a synthetic biocompatible polymer material which has potentials for a wide range of medical applications. In this study, the properties and characteristics of pha and propolis were studied to provide a novel, low-cost, effective, and safe wound dressing patches. This polymer-based film containing propolis is a novel strategy for treatment of skin wounds. Propolis was extracted and optimised in vitro using the human dermal fibroblasts (hdf) cells to demonstrate biocompatibility, cellular migration and angiogenic gene expression. Hdf cells viability was tested to determine the least toxicity of dmso concentration in the propolis media. Pha was synthesized from c. Necator, characterised and tested for its biocompatibility. Stz at an optimised dose of 65mg/kg had successfully induced diabetes in the rats as confirmed by blood sugar analysis. Patches were fabricated and propolis was loaded to the patch just before applying it to the wound created by using a self-made heated rod. Concentration of 0.1% (v/v) dmso gave the highest hdf viability. In a serial dilution optimisation step, the concentration of 10 μg/ml of propolis gave the highest cell viability (100%).
- PublicationThe Influence Of Age, Sex, And Length Of Stay On Syrian Refugees’ Attitudes Towards And Use Of Jordanian Arabic Dialect(2025-04)Syrians in jordan need to learn the jordanian arabic dialect to effectively communicate with the people of the host country. However, the attitudes of syrian refugees towards the jordanian arabic dialect and their use of the jordanian arabic dialect in various domains of life have not been adequately addressed in previous research. Thus, the study examined how syrian refugees’ attitudes towards the jordanian arabic dialect differ across their ages, sexes, and length of stay in jordan. The study also examined the domains (family, religious places, neighbourhood, market, friends, workplace, education, and media) in which syrian refugees prefer to use the jordanian arabic dialect. The study also explored syrian refugees’ reasons for the use of the jordanian and syrian dialects across eight domains of life. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed with two phases: quantitative and qualitative. While the quantitative data were obtained using two questionnaires:
- PublicationEco-Innovation And Sustainable Performance Of Pakistani Sme Hotels: The Roles Of Green Entrepreneurial Orientation, Environmental Regulations, Competitive Pressures, And Information Technology Capability(2025-03)Sme hotels play a significant role in pakistan's hospitality industry, but their performance is suffering due to low levels of innovation and rising environmental and social issues. Unfortunately, they pay more to survive and compromise the environmental and social aspects of their performance. Industry experts advocate sustainable performance, which is a relatively new topic in the business field; however, its awareness is growing with each passing day. This growing attention to sustainability has put pressure on enterprises to strive to comply with their norms. Eco-innovation practices are believed to be the reason for sustainable performance due to their significant impact on the natural environment and local communities with saving costs. Therefore, the objectives were to investigate factors that positively contribute to the sustainable economic, social, and environmental performance of sme hotels in pakistan. Within this context, it has suggested some variables to respond to the research problem and overcome literature gaps. The study has proposed that green entrepreneurial orientation, environmental regulations, and competitive pressures lead to eco-innovation practices and result in sustainable performance.
Most viewed
- ItemAntioxidative Properties, Nutritional Composition Of Cornsilk Powder (Zea Mays Hairs) And Its Incorporation In Patties And Biscuit Product(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2015-03)This study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidative properties and nutritional composition of cornsilk and the effects of different level of substitution chicken and beef patty and biscuit. Cornsilk powder (CSP) was substituted with potato starch in the meat patties and wheat flour in biscuit at levels of 0, 5, 10 and 15% (w/w). The effects of the incorporation of CSP in meat patties and biscuit on nutritional, physicochemical, microbial and sensory properties were determined. Results showed that MeOH extract of CSP had the highest polyphenol content (101.99 mg GAE/g extract) compared to the EtOH (27.73 mg GAE/g extract), Water (14.63 mg GAE/g extract) and EA extract (3.27 mg GAE/g extract). Flavonoid content of MeOH, EtOH and Water extract ranged from 7.55 to 8.40 mg CAE/g extract and was significantly higher than EA extract (0.66 mg GAE/g extract). MeOH extract showed the strongest capacity in FRAP (EC50=1.11 mg/ml), superoxide (EC50=0.26 mg/ml) and ABTS (EC50=0.35 mg/ml) scavenging capacity and β-carotene bleaching inhibition (66.05 %) compared to other extracts. The DPPH scavenging capacity was not significantly different with EtOH extract (EC50=0.14). By HPLC analysis, the MeOH extract showed the highest content of gallic acid (1782 μg/g) and p-coumaric acid (695 μg/g). EtOH extract showed the highest content of (-)-epicatechin (211 μg/g) and ferulic acid (115 μg/g), while Water extract showed the highest catechin content (536 μg/g). Fresh cornsilk contained cyanidin (25.36 μg/g) and cyanidin-3-o-glucoside (3.30 μg/g). Cornsilk contained nutritional elements included TDF (48.50 g/100 g), vitamin C (67 μg/g), amino acid and minerals such as Ca (1087 μg/g), Mg (1219 μg/g), K (26281 μg/g), Na (190.67 μg/g), Cu (5.60 μg/g), Fe (2.17 μg/g), Mn (32.17 μg/g) and Zn (46.37 μg/g). As higher level of CSP was incorporated the protein, ash and fat were increased in meat patty while moisture, protein, ash and TDF content were increased in biscuit. Physical determination showed that redness was increased while lightness and yellowness values were decreased in meat patty and biscuit. Hardness, cooking yield and fat retention were increased in meat patty. Hardness was increased significantly in higher level of CSP biscuit (10% and 15%). Spread ratio of biscuit with 5% and 10% CSP was not significantly different with control biscuit. Chicken patty showed significantly higher polyphenol content (64.70 to 92.10 μg GAE/g) and DPPH scavenging capacity (37.23% to 66.80%) and FRAP capacity (9.88 to 12.64 mg TE/100 g) than control patty. Gallic acid compound in CSP patties were significantly higher (12.26 to 33.86 μg/g) than control patty. Polyphenol content of CSP biscuit (1.66 to 4.18 mg GAE/g), DPPH scavenging capacity (24.35% to 62.73%) and FRAP capacity (16.94 to 342 mg TE/100 g) were significantly higher than control biscuit. Peroxide value, TBAR number and microbial content of meat patty and biscuit with CSP were below allowable limits. In sensory evaluation, the overall quality of chicken (0 to 15% CSP) and beef patty (0 to 10% CSP) were not affected after 6 months of storage. CSP-based biscuit at 5% level preserved the quality of biscuit and was not affected during 3 months of storage. Therefore, the incorporation of CSP in patties and biscuit could increase nutritional composition, polyphenols content, antioxidative activities without affecting sensorial properties after 6 and 3 months of storage respectively.
- ItemSimulation Of Autothermal Reformer For Production Of Liquid Fuel From Natural Gas(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2021-06-01)The production of liquid fuels from natural gas is gaining attention worldwide. In the plant, one of the unit operation used is autothermal reforming (ATR) reactor which serves to convert natural gas (methane) to syngas that consist of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This unit operations need to be studied before its implementation in real industry. In this work, REQUIL model in ASPEN Plus V10 was used to simulate an autothermal reforming (ATR) reactor. The simulated results obtained were first compared with the simulation data from literature. The simulated results obtained by ASPEN Plus showed that it is acceptable since the simulation values corroborated the literature with errors range of 0.72% to 9.45%. Sensitivity analysis on the REQUIL ATR model showed that reactor temperature (800 K to 1300 K), reactor pressure (20 bar to 50 bar), feed steam molar flowrate (200 kmol/hr to 3000 kmol/hr) and feed oxygen molar flowrate (500 kmol/hr to 3000 kmol/hr) have significant effects on the conversion of methane and syngas ratio. The methane conversion was increases when the reactor temperature, feed steam molar flowrate and feed oxygen molar flowrate were increase. While, it was decreases when the reactor pressure was increase. The syngas ratio was decrease when increasing the reactor temperature, reactor pressure, feed steam molar flowrate and it was decreases when increasing the feed oxygen molar flowrate.
- ItemA Study On Determinants Of Rfid Adoption Intention Among Hajj Organizers In Indonesia And Malaysia And Its Strategic Information Systems Plan(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2013-02)Every year, millions of Muslims go to Makkah to perform the Hajj (Pilgrimage). The management of Hajj activities is a very complex task for Saudi Arabian authorities and Hajj organizers because of the large number of pilgrims, the limited geographical area for pilgrim movement, and the short Hajj period. Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology can be used to provide good solutions for the problems and difficulties that arise during Hajj season. However, as an emerging technology, the use of RFID in Hajj management has not been investigated till date. This study develops a theoretical model for RFID adoption intention in Hajj organizations by using the technology–organization–environment framework. Seven independent variables (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, top management support, organization size, government support, and willingness to collaborate among partners) and one moderator variable (organizational readiness) are proposed to help predict the RFID adoption intention. The variable of willingness to collaborate among partners, which has been ignored in previous Information Systems literature, is included in this study as an important factor in the environmental context. This study empirically tests the proposed model by using an adequate sample size of Hajj organizations. Data collected from 165 Hajj organizers from Indonesia and Malaysia and their Hajj service provider in Saudi Arabia are tested against the proposed research model using hierarchical regression.
- PublicationDesign and simulation of cost effective equipment to dry fruit sheet(2008-04-01)The purpose of this thesis is to examine the effect of several criteria that must be considered in order to select the most suitable dryer for fruit leather production. Different drying temperature in the ranged of 60-80oC and air velocity in the range of 1 to 3m/s is analyzed to see their effect on fruit leather moisture content, weight and drying time while drying process. The drying method factor whether convection or conduction and material used to transfer heat which is brass, aluminum and stainless steel is also determined. The comparison between value of the moisture content by using Moisture Content Determinant Balancing Machine and manually weighting is also done. The heat conductivity of the stainless steel and brass is determined by using Heat Conductivity Apparatus. By using these results and other considerations, the best dryer for fruit leather production is concluded which is drum dryer.
- ItemOrganizational Resources, Networking Resources, Marketing Capabilities And Export Performance: Evidence From Thai Agro-Based Firms(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2010-05)The Thai economy is very dependent on the agro-based sector. The availability of abundant resources has enabled firms in this sector to play a fundamental role in the economic development and employment for the population. This study is undertaken to identify the competitive strengths of firms in the agro-based sector and their export performance. The resource-based view and the social capital theory provide inputs into the research framework. It is proposed that organizational resources comprising of reputation resources, financial resources, human resources, and research and development and technology resources contribute positively to the firm’s export performance. Besides that the firm’s effort to acquire external resources through networking with business network, institutional networks and knowledge network are expected to contribute to firm’s export performance. Such relationship however is expected to be mediated by marketing capabilities, which are comprised of product, price, distribution and promotion. Two dimensions of export performance are used, namely economic and non-economic measures. The participating firms in this study are drawn from the Exporter Directory published by the Department of Export Promotion (DEP) Thailand. Based on the data analysis, it was determined that only financial resources are positively related to non-economic measure of export performance. Meanwhile among networking resources only business network is statistically significant and positively related to both economic and non-economic measures of export performance. As regards to marketing capabilities, two dimensions of marketing capabilities, price capability and promotion capability, are significant predictors of both dimensions of export performance. On the mediation effect of marketing capabilities, the relationship between financial resources and non-economic measure is partially mediated by price capability. It is also established that price capability act as a partial mediator between business network and both economic and non-economic measure of export performance. As regards to promotion capability, the result shows that it is a partial mediator between business network and economic measure of export performance. The findings of the study show that export performance is dependent on the availability as well access to financial resources and external resources. Investment in networking with trade facilitating organizations such as financial institutions and others involved in the supply chain is a prerequisite for successes. The importance of enhancing the firm’s capabilities in managing price and promotion should not be overlooked.