scholarly journals To What Extent is the Lack of Education Awareness among Kensiu Indigenous Children in Baling, Kedah? A Preliminary Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 226-233
Author(s):  
Muhammad Wafi Ramli ◽  
Sharifah Rohayah Sheikh Dawood
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Holistic Education ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Education Development ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Indigenous Children ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Descriptive Statistical Analysis

The indigenous people, particularly the children, are perpetually challenged with education issues that have been going on for too long. Indigenous children have the capacity to bring changes and progress in their communities. To achieve that, they should be nurtured early on the awareness and importance of education. This paper aims to identify the level of education awareness among indigenous children through behavioural, personal, and environmental factors. A total of 30 respondents consisting of Kensiu indigenous children aged 7 to 12 have participated in the survey conducted in Kampung Lubuk Legong located in Baling district. Descriptive statistical analysis is applied to obtain frequency, percentage, and mean values. Overall, the finding indicates that the level of education awareness among the respondents is moderate, where the behavioural, personal, and environmental factors recorded a mean value of (μ=2.41), (μ=2.96), and (μ=2.24) respectively. This study aspires to urge holistic education development strategies in order to raise the level of education awareness among indigenous children so that they will not be left behind.

scholarly journals A Preliminary Study for Tunable Optical Assessment of Exhaled Breath Ammonia Based on Ultrathin Tetrakis(4-sulfophenyl)porphine Nanoassembled Films

Chemosensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 269
Author(s):  
Sergiy Korposh ◽  
Seung-Woo Lee
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Soret Band ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Exhaled Breath ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Absorbance Changes ◽  
Preliminary Study

The detection of chemical substances excreted from the human body offers an attractive approach for non-invasive, early diagnostics of certain diseases. In this preliminary study, we proposed a susceptible optical sensor capable of quantitatively detecting ammonia from exhaled breath. The proposed sensor consists of nanoassembled ultrathin films composed of tetrakis(4-sulfophenyl)porphine (TSPP) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) deposited on quartz substrates using a layer-by-layer method. Measurement principles are based on the ammonia-induced absorbance changes at 489 (Soret band) and 702 nm (Q band), associated with the deprotonation of the J-aggregated TSPPs inside the film. Before exposure to breath, the PDDA/TSPP thin film was calibrated using known concentrations of ammonia gases with a projected detection limit of 102 ± 12 parts per billion (ppb). Calibrated sensor films were then exposed to human breath and urine samples to determine the ammonia concentration. Concentrations of exhaled ammonia are influenced significantly by the consumption of food or the amount of urea. Sensor response and maximum sensitivity, obtained from the absorbance changes induced by ammonia, were achieved by initial sensor exposure to HCl vapor. Previously reported procedures for the Helicobacter pylori (HELIC Ammonia Breath) test based on urea reaction with urease were reproduced using the proposed sensor. The observed behavior corresponded very well with the kinetics of the interactions between urea and urease, i.e., ammonia reached a maximum concentration approximately 5 min after the start of the reaction. A large-scale study involving 41 healthy volunteers in their 20s to 60s was successfully conducted to test the capabilities of the sensor to determine the concentration of exhaled ammonia. The concentration of ammonia for the healthy volunteers ranged between 0.3 and 1.5 ppm, with a mean value of ca. 520 ppb in the morning (before eating) and ca. 420 ppb in the afternoon (immediately after eating). These real-test mean values are meaningful when considered against the projected LOD.

scholarly journals Uncertainties Analysis of Collapse Susceptibility Prediction Based on Remote Sensing and GIS: Influences of Different Data-Based Models and Connections between Collapses and Environmental Factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 4134
Author(s):  
Wenbin Li ◽  
Xuanmei Fan ◽  
Faming Huang ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Haoyuan Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Information Value ◽  
The Other ◽  
Weight Of Evidence ◽  
Coupled Models ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Large Standard Deviation ◽  
Average Rank

To study the uncertainties of a collapse susceptibility prediction (CSP) under the coupled conditions of different data-based models and different connection methods between collapses and environmental factors, An’yuan County in China with 108 collapses is used as the study case, and 11 environmental factors are acquired by data analysis of Landsat TM 8 and high-resolution aerial images, using a hydrological and topographical spatial analysis of Digital Elevation Modeling in ArcGIS 10.2 software. Accordingly, 20 coupled conditions are proposed for CSP with five different connection methods (Probability Statistics (PSs), Frequency Ratio (FR), Information Value (IV), Index of Entropy (IOE) and Weight of Evidence (WOE)) and four data-based models (Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), C5.0 Decision Tree (C5.0 DT) and Random Forest (RF)). Finally, the CSP uncertainties are assessed using the area under receiver operation curve (AUC), mean value, standard deviation and significance test, respectively. Results show that: (1) the WOE-based models have the highest AUC accuracy, lowest mean values and average rank, and a relatively large standard deviation; the mean values and average rank of all the FR-, IV- and IOE-based models are relatively large with low standard deviations; meanwhile, the AUC accuracies of FR-, IV- and IOE-based models are consistent but higher than those of the PS-based model. Hence, the WOE exhibits a greater spatial correlation performance than the other four methods. (2) Among all the data-based models, the RF model has the highest AUC accuracy, lowest mean value and mean rank, and a relatively large standard deviation. The CSP performance of the RF model is followed by the C5.0 DT, MLR and AHP models, respectively. (3) Under the coupled conditions, the WOE-RF model has the highest AUC accuracy, a relatively low mean value and average rank, and a high standard deviation. The PS-AHP model is opposite to the WOE-RF model. (4) In addition, the coupled models show slightly better CSP performances than those of the single data-based models not considering connect methods. The CSP performance of the other models falls somewhere in between. It is concluded that the WOE-RF is the most appropriate coupled condition for CSP than the other models.

Seasonal trends in the stable isotopic composition of snow and meltwater runoff in a subarctic catchment at Okstindan, Norway

2004 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.D. Gurney ◽  
D.S.L. Lawrence
Keyword(s):  
Isotopic Composition ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Stable Isotopic Composition ◽  
Meltwater Runoff ◽  
Stable Isotopic ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Δ18o And Δd

Seasonal variations in the stable isotopic composition of snow and meltwater were investigated in a sub-arctic, mountainous, but non-glacial, catchment at Okstindan in northern Norway based on analyses of δ18O and δD. Samples were collected during four field periods (August 1998; April 1999; June 1999 and August 1999) at three sites lying on an altitudinal transect (740–970 m a.s.l.). Snowpack data display an increase in the mean values of δ18O (increasing from a mean value of −13.51 to −11.49‰ between April and August), as well as a decrease in variability through the melt period. Comparison with a regional meteoric water line indicates that the slope of the δ18O–δD line for the snowpacks decreases over the same period, dropping from 7.49 to approximately 6.2.This change points to the role of evaporation in snowpack ablation and is confirmed by the vertical profile of deuterium excess. Snowpack seepage data, although limited, also suggest reduced values of δD, as might be associated with local evaporation during meltwater generation. In general, meltwaters were depleted in δ18O relative to the source snowpack at the peak of the melt (June), but later in the year (August) the difference between the two was not statistically significant. The diurnal pattern of isotopic composition indicates that the most depleted meltwaters coincide with the peak in temperature and, hence, meltwater production.

A new simpler approach to measure the strength of toe plantar flexion requiring no mechanical restraint with a light-weight device

2021 ◽  
pp. 095441192110029
Author(s):  
Yuko Komuro ◽  
Yuji Ohta
Keyword(s):  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Simple Approach ◽  
Light Weight ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Mechanical Restraint ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ankle Joints ◽  
The Mean

Conventionally, the strength of toe plantar flexion (STPF) is measured in a seated position, in which not only the target toe joints but also the knee and particularly ankle joints, are usually restrained. We have developed an approach for the measurement of STPF which does not involve restraint and considers the interactions of adjacent joints of the lower extremities. This study aimed to evaluate this new approach and comparing with the seated approach. A thin, light-weight, rigid plate was attached to the sole of the foot in order to immobilize the toe area. Participants were 13 healthy young women (mean age: 24 ± 4 years). For measurement of STPF with the new approach, participants were instructed to stand, raise the device-wearing leg slightly, plantar flex the ankle, and push the sensor sheet with the toes to exert STPF. The sensor sheet of the F-scan II system was inserted between the foot sole and the plate. For measurement with the seated approach, participants were instructed to sit and push the sensor with the toes. They were required to maintain the hip, knee, and ankle joints at 90°. The mean values of maximum STPF of the 13 participants obtained with each approach were compared. There was no significant difference in mean value of maximum STPF when the two approaches were compared (new: 59 ± 23 N, seated: 47 ± 33 N). The coefficient of variation of maximum STPF was smaller for data obtained with the new approach (new: 39%, seated: 70%). Our simple approach enables measurement of STPF without the need for the restraints that are required for the conventional seated approach. These results suggest that the new approach is a valid method for measurement of STPF.

scholarly journals Applying MRI Intensity Normalization on Non-Bone Tissues to Facilitate Pseudo-CT Synthesis from MRI

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 816
Author(s):  
Kuei-Yuan Hou ◽  
Hao-Yuan Lu ◽  
Ching-Ching Yang
Keyword(s):  
Mean Value ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Intensity Level ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Conversion Model ◽  
Ratio Image ◽  
Abdominal Mri ◽  
High Level ◽  
Intensity Normalization

This study aimed to facilitate pseudo-CT synthesis from MRI by normalizing MRI intensity of the same tissue type to a similar intensity level. MRI intensity normalization was conducted through dividing MRI by a shading map, which is a smoothed ratio image between MRI and a three-intensity mask. Regarding pseudo-CT synthesis from MRI, a conversion model based on a three-layer convolutional neural network was trained and validated. Before MRI intensity normalization, the mean value ± standard deviation of fat tissue in 0.35 T chest MRI was 297 ± 73 (coefficient of variation (CV) = 24.58%), which was 533 ± 91 (CV = 17.07%) in 1.5 T abdominal MRI. The corresponding results were 149 ± 32 (CV = 21.48%) and 148 ± 28 (CV = 18.92%) after intensity normalization. With regards to pseudo-CT synthesis from MRI, the differences in mean values between pseudo-CT and real CT were 3, 15, and 12 HU for soft tissue, fat, and lung/air in 0.35 T chest imaging, respectively, while the corresponding results were 3, 14, and 15 HU in 1.5 T abdominal imaging. Overall, the proposed workflow is reliable in pseudo-CT synthesis from MRI and is more practicable in clinical routine practice compared with deep learning methods, which demand a high level of resources for building a conversion model.

scholarly journals Intestinal Microbial Ecology and Fillet Metal Chemistry of Wild Grey Mullets Reflect the Variability of the Aquatic Environment in a Western Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon (Santa Giusta, Sardinia, Italy)

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 879
Author(s):  
Rosanna Floris ◽  
Gabriele Sanna ◽  
Cecilia Teodora Satta ◽  
Carlo Piga ◽  
Francesco Sanna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Microbiota ◽  
Environmental Variability ◽  
Heterotrophic Bacteria ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Fish Muscle ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors ◽  
Grey Mullets

Fish populations play an active role in the maintenance of aquatic ecosystems biodiversity. Their intestinal microbiota and fillet chemistry depend on abiotic and biotic factors of the water environments that they inhabit. The present study investigated the grey mullets’ gut microbiota from a transitional aquatic ecosystem (Santa Giusta Lagoon, Sardinia, Italy) by a multidisciplinary approach which refers the results of (1) gut cultivable microbiota analyses (MA), (2) the trace metal assessment of fish muscle (TM), (3) the physico-chemical water monitoring (PC). MA detected the greatest number of total aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms in Autumn (mean values 1.3 × 105, 2.4 × 104, 1.1 × 104 cfu g−1, respectively) when the accumulated rain and mean values of nutrients (reactive phosphorous and silica) were the highest. Marine bacteria were more numerous in Summer (mean value 7.4 × 105 cfu g−1) when the highest mean values of water temperature and salinity were registered. The gut bacteria were identified as Pseudomonas spp. (64%), Aeromonas spp. (17%), Ochrobactrum pseudogrignonense (10%), Providencia spp. (5%), Enterobacter ludwigii (2%) and Kocuria tytonicola (2%). TM showed that Ca, Na, B and Ni increased their concentrations in Winter while maxima of P, Zn, Cu and Fe were found in muscles of fish sampled in Summer. This study highlighted that the fish intestinal microbiota and metal composition of the fillet reflected the seasonal aquatic environmental variability.

The availability of copper to grazing ruminants in parts of North Yorkshire

1978 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. I. Givens ◽  
J. R. Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Mean Value ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Total Sulphur ◽  
History Of ◽  
Relationship Of

SummaryA total of 225 herbage samples were taken from two areas with a history of bovine hypocupraemia and examined for their Cu, Mo, total S, Zn, Fe and Cd content.In general, the concentrations of Cu and Mo (mean values 10·4 and 1·6 mg/kgD.M. respectively) were normal, as were those of Zn, Fe and Cd (mean values 43, 255 and 0–59 mg/kg D.M. respectively). The total S concentrations (mean value 3·5 g/kg D.M.) were, however, higher than found by some other workers.The concentrations of available herbage Cu were calculated using the following relationship of Suttle & McLauchlan (1976):logTA Cu = –0·0019 Mo–0·0755 S–0·0131 Mo × S–1·153,where TA Cu is the true availability of Cu, and Mo and total sulphur (S) are dietary concentrations as mg/kg D.M. and g/kg D.M. respectively. Animal requirements for available Cu were derived from estimates of the factorial Cu requirements of various classes of livestock, and when these were compared with the calculated concentrations of available Cu in the herbage they provided a possible explanation for the widespread hypocupraemia experienced in these areas.

scholarly journals AB0101 THE IMPACT OF TIME SPAN TO ACHIEVE BOOLEAN REMISSION FOR MAINTAINING DISEASE ACTIVITY AFTER ACQUISITION IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENT

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1079.1-1079
Author(s):  
I. Yoshii
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Remission Rate ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Time Span ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Relationship

Background:Boolean remission criteria is one most popular and stringent criteria in treating patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), because it may guarantees a stable clinical course after attaining remission.Objectives:Impact of time span from initiation to achieving Boolean remission on maintaining disease activity, daily activities, and quality of life after attaining Boolean remission was investigated from daily clinical practice data.Methods:685 patients with RA since August 2010 under the T2T strategy were treated. They were monitored for their TJC, SJC, PGA, EGA, CRP, and disease activity indices such as CDAI, SDAI, DAS28, and Boolean criteria at every visit. HAQ-DI score, pain score using visual analog scale (PS-VAS), and EQ-5D were also monitored, and the quality of life score (QOLS) calculated from EQ-5D was determined at every visit from the time of diagnosis (baseline).Of 685 patients, 465 patients had achieved Boolean remission >1 times, and were consecutively followed up for >3 years. These patients were enrolled in the study. Time span from the first visit to first Boolean remission was calculated. The relationship between the time span and each of background parameters, and the relationship between the time span and each of the mean values of the SDAI score, HAQ score, PS-VAS, SHS, and QOLS at the first Boolean remission and thereafter was evaluated statistically.Patients were subsequently divided into the G ≤ 6 and G > 6 groups based on the achievement of first Boolean remission within two groups: time span G ≤ 6 months and G > 6 months. The two groups were compared with regard to the SDAI score, HAQ score, PS-VAS, SHS, and QOLS at first visit and at the time of first Boolean remission, and the mean values of these parameters after remission were evaluated statistically. Moreover, changes of these parameters and the mean Boolean remission rate after the first remission, and SDAI remission rate at the first Boolean remission to thereafter were compared between the two groups statistically.Results:Out of 465 patients, females comprised 343 (73.7%), and the mean age was 67.8 years (range, from 21–95 years). The mean disease duration at first visit was 6.1 years (range, from 1 months–45 years). The mean follow up length was 88.1 months (range: 36–122 months; median: 85 months) and mean time span from the first visit to the first Boolean remission was 8.1 months. The mean SDAI score, HAQ score, PS-VAS, and the QOLS at first visit were 13.3, 0.467, 33.2, and 0.834, respectively. Among the study parameters, PS-VAS and QOLS were significantly correlated with the time span. For parameters at the first Boolean remission, HAQ-DI score, PS-VAS, and QOLS demonstrated significant correlation with the time span, whereas SDAI, HAQ-DI score, PS-VAS, SHS, and QOLS after the Boolean remission demonstrated significant correlation with the time span.The comparison between the G ≤ 6 and the G > 6 groups revealed that the disease duration, HAQ score, and PS-VAS at baseline in the G > 6 were significantly higher than that in the G ≤ 6 group, and QOLS in the G ≤ 6 group was significantly higher than that in the G > 6 group at baseline. Similarly, the HAQ score and PS-VAS at the first Boolean remission in the G > 6 group were significantly higher than that in the G ≤ 6 group, whereas QOLS in the G ≤ 6 group demonstrated no significant difference compared with that in the G > 6 group.The mean value of the SDAI score after the first Boolean remission in the G > 6 group was significantly higher than that in the G ≤ 6 group. Similarly, the SDAI score, HAQ score, and PS-VAS after the first Boolean remission in the G > 6 group were also significantly higher than those in the G ≤ 6 group, and the mean value of the QOLS in the G ≤ 6 group were significantly higher than that in the G > 6 group. The Boolean remission rate and SDAI remission rate after the first Boolean remission were significantly higher in the G ≤ 6 group than those in the G > 6 group.Conclusion:Attaining Boolean remission ≤ 6 months for RA has significant benefit for more stable disease control, that leads good maintenance of ADL.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

CORRELATION OF SERUM MAGNESIUM LEVELS WITH FASTING PLASMA GLUCOSE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

2021 ◽  
pp. 16-18
Author(s):  
Nishanth Kumar ◽  
Malathi R D ◽  
Ramadevi M
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Plasma Glucose ◽  
Fasting Plasma Glucose ◽  
Serum Magnesium ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Fasting Plasma ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of multifactorial origin characterized by hyperglycemia and disturbances of glucose , fat and protein metabolism. Hypomagnesemia is been associated with chronic and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Magnesium deciency in diabetes is known to be associated with increased risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications. The aim of this study is to estimate fasting plasma glucose and serum magnesium levels and to assess the correlation of hypomagnesemia with abnormal fasting plasma glucose values. Material and Methods: The study was done at Government Medical College, Nizamabad. 80 subjects were recruited out of whom 40 apparently normal persons were taken as control group and the second group of 40 patients with known history of diabetes. The fasting plasma glucose(FPG) was estimated by GOD-POD method and serum Magnesium(Mg) levels were estimated using the Chemchek Mg kit which is based on Xylidyl Blue with ACTS method. Results :The mean values of fasting plasma glucose was 87.1 mg/dL in non diabetics when compared to 159.4 mg/dL in diabetics while Serum magnesium levels in control subjects had a mean value of 2.19mg/dLand 1.8mg/dLin diabetics. The data was analysed and found to be statistically signicant with a negative correlation between plasma magnesium and fasting blood glucose. Conclusion: There is signicant hypomagnesaemia which correlates increased fasting plasma glucose values in diabetics when compared to non diabetics and therefore assessing the serum magnesium levels may help in reducing risk of complications.

Comparative assessment of odontometric parameters for gender determination: A hospital based cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-152
Author(s):  
Mosmi Lomi ◽  
Jonathan Daniel M
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
The Body ◽  
Central Incisor ◽  
Maxillary Canine ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Gender Determination ◽  
Significant Difference

Determining gender is one of the most important procedure in forensics. Teeth are made of the most enduring mineralized tissues in the body, as such, they have an extraordinary resistance to putrefaction and the effects of external agents (physical, thermal, mechanical, chemical or biological) which makes them invaluable material for anthropological, genetic, odontologic and forensic examinations.i)To assess the degree of sexual dimorphism in maxillary canine using maxillary canine index, maxillary first molar and central incisor using mesiodistal (MD) and buccolingual/buccopalatal (BL) dimensions of the crown. ii) To determine the accuracy of maxillary canine index, first molar and central incisor dimensions (mesiodistal and buccolingual/buccopalatal) in determining sex.This study consisted of total 30 participants (males=15, females=15) of age group ranging from 20 to 35 yrs. Measurement of dimensions of selected teeth were performed on maxillary cast using digital Vernier caliper, resolution 0.01mm. Data thus obtained were analyzed statistically.The mean values of all the measurements in males were greater than females. There was statistical significant difference in mean value of bucco-lingual width of molar, mesiodistal width of canine (on left side, right side and average) and the inter-canine distance between males and females. The buccolingual width of molar showed the highest % of sexual dimorphism (5.33%) and the mesiodistal width of molar showed the least % of dimorphism (0.7%). Bucco-lingual width of molar posed the highest prediction accuracy for gender determination. We conclude that buccolingual width of maxillary first molar can be used to predict the gender when only teeth of maxillary arch are available for forensic examination.

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