East Coast Of Malaysia Research Articles

A Generalized Modelling Approach to Assess Climate Influences on Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in East Coast Malaysia

A Generalized Modelling Approach to Assess Climate Influences on Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in East Coast Malaysia

Predictors Affecting the Attitude Towards Homosexuality Among Health Sciences University Students in East Coast Malaysia

Introduction As a minority group homosexuality poses the risk of various mental illnesses and medical comorbidities. In Malaysia, homosexuality is prohibited according to culture, law, and religion. Thus, this group is reluctant to seek help due to the negative attitude of certain healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals’ negative attitudes towards this group may negatively impact patient care quality. This study aimed to identify predictors of health sciences students’ attitudes toward homosexuality. Materials and methods An online cross-sectional study was conducted among 307 undergraduate clinical students at a university on the east coast of Malaysia from December 2020 to February 2021. The instruments consisted of the Homosexual Attitude Scale Malay Version (HASMV), Self-Reflection and Insight Scale (SRIS), and Duke University Religion Index (DUREL). Results The mean (SD) age of participants was 22.91 (0.78) years old. The majority are female, Malay, and Muslim. Mean (SD) scores of attitudes towards homosexuality among health sciences students were 61.53 (17.06). Non-Muslims, final-year students, and those with higher self-reflection scores in central and southern Peninsular Malaysia displayed a more positive attitude towards homosexuality, as did students with a history of contact with homosexuals. Students with higher intrinsic religiosity scores were shown to be more negative towards homosexuality. Conclusion The attitude towards homosexuality of Malaysian future health practitioners leaned mostly towards the positive attitude towards homosexuality. These findings shall aid the relevant authorities in revising the curriculum to raise awareness about homosexual health, as well as arranging training programs. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 23 No. 04 October’24 Page : 1120-1128

Parental Experience on Female Circumcision in East Coast of Malaysia

INTRODUCTION: Female circumcision (FC) is a deep-rooted tradition in Malaysia, influenced by religious, cultural, and health beliefs. However, it has drawn criticism for its similarities to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Africa, particularly during the 2018 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) by the United Nations Human Rights (UNHR). Amidst this backdrop, this study aimed to investigate parents' perspectives and experiences concerning female circumcision, as well as the factors driving its persistence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study used phenomenological approach and 20 in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire until data saturation were reached. We employed convenience and snowball sampling methods. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo 12 software. We used thematic analysis to identify key themes in the data. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the interviews: (1) FC is a ‘fitrah’, (2) maintaining good health is the main influence; and (3) FC causing no harm. The main influences on this practice are religious, cultural, and health factors. Parents described the procedure as simple and harmless for the baby and themselves, both physically and emotionally. CONCLUSIONS: This research shown that FC in Malaysia is not solely religious but deeply embedded in culture. The blend of cultural and religious aspects makes it a crucial practice for some.

Factors Influencing Customers’ Restaurant Dining Behaviour During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the dietary habits and preferences of the global population. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify factors that influence customers’ restaurant dining behaviours and examine the most notable factors that influence the customers’ behaviours during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because every patron would consider several matters before deciding to choose the type or location or restaurant they would like to eat at. Customers’ decisions are typically influenced by several variables and standards, including the quality of food, quality of service, physical environment, and facilities or amenities. This quantitative-research study has primarily targeted three states in the East Coast of Malaysia, namely Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan. The study has employed an online questionnaire to customers who have dined out at restaurants before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 405 participants have actively participated in the study and responded to all the questions in the online questionnaire. The findings of the study have indicated that food quality, service quality, restaurant environment, and facilities or amenities have a substantial impact on customer behaviour when dining out both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Association between Parenting Styles and Adolescents' Mental Disorders: Findings among Pre-University Students.

Existing research indicated a high prevalence of mental health issues among adolescents. Gender and parenting styles are two factors that may influence adolescents' mental health. Nonetheless, most published studies focused on either secondary school or university students. In contrast, there is a dearth of similar research involving pre-university students. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of mental disorders among pre-university students and their association with parenting styles. A cross-sectional study via online questionnaire survey was conducted among students from a pre-university college on the East Coast of Malaysia. Convenience sampling was used to recruit the participants. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: i) sociodemographic data, ii) the Parental Authority Questionnaire and Depression, and iii) the Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). An online invitation to answer the questionnaire was done via the Student Representative Council (SRC). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-square test. A total of 431 participants responded to the online survey. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 49.0% (n = 210), 68.0% (n = 293) and 37.6% (n = 162), respectively. In addition, father's educational level (χ2 = 10.332, P = 0.001) and the authoritarian parenting style (χ2 = 10.099, P = 0.006) were significantly associated with mental health disorders among adolescents. The prevalence of mental disorders among pre-university students is relatively high. Pre-university admission mental health screening is vital for early detection and intervention of mental disorders among this vulnerable group. Further research is imperative to establish a comprehensive plan of action that targets parental involvement in managing adolescent mental health disorders.

Development of an Ocean Wave Energy Harvester using an Array of Flexible Piezoelectric Sensors

The ocean offers vast opportunities for unprecedented energy harvesting where most studies had concentrated on large scale energy harvesting from the ocean waves. However, there were minimal studies on low-scale energy harvesting. This study focuses on ambient, low-scale energy harvesting which theoretically can be used to power low energy consumption electrical appliances. The inherent characteristic of piezoelectric materials which can convert mechanical energy to electrical energy has created an alternative to generate energy from renewable sources including ocean waves. Initially, this study started with preliminary work which consisted of the development and testing of a lab scale piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH-1) which was tested along the beach area of Kuala Nerus, east coast of Malaysia. Results from PEH-1 had shown that the high tide produced more power level compared to low tide experiments. The findings from the first phase of this study served as a foundation study towards the development of an upscaled version of the PEH-1 in relation of mechanical and electronics, which was termed as PEH-2. Testing for PEH-2 was conducted in the coastal area of Pulau Bidong Laut, Kuala Nerus. Results from the second part of the study had shown that approximately almost 80% of the power harvested correlated linearly with wind speed, however after reaching 0.7W the peak dips down which was probably due to the instability of PEH-2 to be used in harsh open seas environment. This study had shown the feasibility of utilizing piezoelectric material to harvest low-scale power, however, several in-house modifications needed to be made for it to be fully functionable.

The allure of the east (Coast of Malaysia)

Every year, from 1955 until the late 1960s, the photographers from the Photographic Society of Singapore would make annual pilgrimages to the towns on the East Coast of Malaysia, to take images of its ‘picturesque inhabitants’. As a result, hundreds of prints of Malay women, children and fishermen in kampong villages and on the beach circulated widely in exhibitions locally as well as internationally, all depicting the East Coast as a rural and bucolic destination. The photographers were largely male and Chinese. In this essay, I present close readings of selected photographs and the language used to describe the visits to discuss a racial and gendered gaze on a community in Malaysia. I argue that while the perception of the Malays as rural and simple folk might have begun as a hangover from colonial stereotyping, subsequent photographic representation manifested different desires. Rather than control and containment, the images made by the Singaporean photographers reflected a nostalgia for kampong life amidst the anxiety of rapid modernisation and the shifting roles of women in society. The influence of photographic pictorialism, with its emphasis on highly stylised photographs, further promoted the production of simplistic, emblematic images.

Entrepreneurship Education Position and Entrepreneurial Intention: The Perception of Malaysian Undergraduate Students

The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of Entrepreneurship education factors, as well as personal attitude, perceived behavioural control, and subjective norms on entrepreneurial intentions among undergraduate students. Primary data were obtained from 311 final year students at public universities in east coast Malaysia involving two fields of study (social sciences and science and technology). Descriptive and multiple regression methods were used to analyse the study data. Entrepreneurship education was found to be positively and significantly related to entrepreneurial intention in social science students and the overall study sample. Both variables under the category of entrepreneurial cognitive factors (Personal attitude and Perceived behavioural control) revealed a significant positive influence on entrepreneurial intention. Meanwhile, only for the overall sample did the perceived subjective norm factor have a positively significant relationship with entrepreneurial intention. The findings of the study also revealed that social science students showed higher entrepreneurial intentions compared to science and technology students. This study can accentuate to policymakers and university management that the formation of entrepreneurial intentions among students is dependent not only on cognitive factors, but also on the empowerment of the entrepreneurship curriculum and the entrepreneurship ecosystem on campus.

Maqāṣid Al-Sharīʿa-Based Analysis of Learning Modules For Muslim Reverts in East Coast Malaysia

Purpose: This paper proposes the effectiveness of the Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿa as a reliable approach for the thence reason; a set of Islamic laws, which aims to promote the welfare of individuals and society, particularly the reverts. There are five basic elements in human needs; amongst are the preservation of religion, life, lineage/dignity, intellectualism, and property. Theoretical framework: Islam is one of the fastest-growing beliefs and is expected to become the world’s dominant religion by 2070. For those who embraced Islam and identified as Muslim reverts, there is a willingness for them to adapt to an Islamic lifestyle, but it does not come without challenges. Conversion to Islam has been tarnished by claims of extremism (violent and non-violent), radicalization, and sadly, terrorism. They are also torn between being rejected by family and original society. Design/methodology/approach: It used content analysis to evaluate the contents of the proposed learning modules and ATLAS.ti version 22 for the analysis and findings. The study took place at three institutions that are responsible for the reverts on the East Coast of Malaysia. It is where they are guided by values and principles that underlie Islamic teachings. The module among others enables the reverts to connect themselves with the essence of their new faith and develop a balanced approach to such practice and assist with the challenges they face as a Muslim. Findings: The finding of the study revealed the learning modules were compatible in line with the Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿa approach and at the same time managed to give strength to the learners/reverts in the Muslim society without putting aside their non-Muslim families. Discussion: Nevertheless, to say, this philosophical approach is a multidisciplinary discipline that gives a place and right of the reverts in Islam and society as a whole. Such modules can be used as a bridge to give a better understanding to other counterparts, so Islam can be seen with a simple dichotomy that promotes justice and welcomes all and love for all at the same time.

Molecular prevalence of Bartonella spp. in bat flies in east coast Malaysia

Bats are a significant reservoir for numerous pathogens, including Bartonella spp. It is one of the emerging zoonotic bacterial diseases that can be transmitted to humans and may cause various unspecific clinical manifestations. Thus, bartonellosis is rarely diagnosed and is regarded as a neglected vector-borne disease (VBD). Bat flies have been hypothesised to be a vector in the transmission of pathogens among bats. They are host-specific, which reduces the likelihood of pathogen transmission across bat species; however, they are likely to maintain high pathogen loads within their host species. To explore the presence of Bartonella spp. in bat flies from Peninsular Malaysia; bat fly samples collected from various sites at the east coast states were subjected to molecular detection for Bartonella spp. It was discovered that 38.7 % of bats from Terengganu and Kelantan were infested with bat flies; however, no bat fly was found in bats collected from Pahang. The collected bat flies belonged to the families Nycteribiidae (79.6 %) and Streblidae (20.4 %). The collected bat flies were pooled according to the locations and species into 39 pools. Out of these 39 pools, 66.7 % (n = 26) were positive for Bartonella spp. by PCR. Sequence analyses of five randomly selected PCR-positive pools revealed that pools from Kelantan (n = 3) have the closest sequence identities (99 %) to Bartonella spp. strain Lisso-Nig-922 from Nigeria. However, the other pools from Terengganu (n = 2) were closely related to Bartonella spp. strain KP277 from Thailand and Bartonella spp. strain Rhin-3 from the Republic of Georgia with 99 % and 100 % sequence identity, respectively. This suggests that the Bartonella spp. found in Malaysian bat flies are genetically diverse and can potentially serve as reservoirs for pathogenic Bartonella spp.

Indoor air quality and sick building syndrome symptoms in administrative office at public university

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is an illness among workers linked to time spent in a building. This study aimed to investigate the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) among administrative office workers. The IAQ parameters consist of ventilation performance indicators, and physical and chemical parameters were measured using specified instruments for three days during weekdays. The SBS symptoms were assessed by a questionnaire adopted from the Industry Code of Practice of Indoor Air Quality (ICOP-IAQ) 2010 among 19 employees from the office in East Coast Malaysia. Relationship between past symptoms and present symptoms which are draught (past symptoms) with feeling heavy headed (present symptoms) (r = 0.559, p < 0.05), room temperature too high (past symptoms) was highly correlated with feeling heavy headed (present symptoms) (r = 0.598, p < 0.01) and cough (present symptoms) (r = 0.596, p < 0.01). Room temperature (past symptoms) has a positive medium relationship with cough (present symptoms) (r = 0.477, p < 0.05) and scaling itching scalp or ears (present symptoms) has a relationship between stuffy bad air (r = 0.475, p < 0.05) and dry air (r = 0.536, p < 0.05). There was a significant association between RH with drowsiness (χ2 = 7.090, p = 0.049) and dizziness (χ2 = 7.090, p = 0.049). The association was found between temperature and SBS symptoms between temperature with headache (χ2 = 7.574, p = 0.051), feeling heavy-headed (χ2 = 8.090, p = 0.046), and skin rash itchiness (χ2 = 7.451, p = 0.044). Air movement also showed a positive association with symptoms of feeling heavy-headed (x2 = 8.726, p = 0.021). PM10 has positive significance with SBSS which are feeling heavy-headed (χ2 = 7.980, p = 0.023), and eyer's irritation (χ2 = 7.419, p = 0.038). The conclusion of this study showed that there were positive significant between temperature and relative humidity toward SBSS.

Čimbenici rizika i učestalost mišićno-koštanih tegoba radnika pri radu u tehnici batika uzrokovanih položajem tijela i rada mišića ruku

The batik industry as one of Malaysian cultural heritage is mainly located on the East Coast of Malaysia, particularly in the states of Kelantan and Terengganu. Most of the industry is home-based. Hence, the traditional batik work environment and tasks impose threats to the well-being of the artisans. This study investigates ergonomic issues and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in two of Kelantan’s batik industries. The artisans’ natural working postures and the environments of the two places were observed and video recorded. Muscle activations on the wrist of the artisan doing the paint (canting) were imitated. Surface electromyography (sEMG) investigations were performed in the laboratory. A questionnaire survey was also distributed among craftsmen and artisans involved in the batik industry in Kelantan. Results illustrate evidence of the need to educate batik industries on ergonomic risk factors. According to the survey of 33 respondents, the most affected body parts are the waist (60%), back and feet (57%). The walkthroughs and site visits showed that batik making process demands awkward postures which include standing, precision handling of hand tools, trunk bending &amp; rotating and overreaching repetitively between 4 to 8 hours. The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) index obtained from the assessments ranges from 7-8. It was also shown from the sEMG data that trunk bending affects muscle contraction of the wrist during painting movement. Therefore, immediate interventions are required to improve batik artisans’ postural working conditions, especially on the neck, trunk, legs, wrists and arms.

Critical Care Nurses’ Perception of Medication Administration Errors in Kelantan, Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background. The study investigates critical care nurses’ perceptions of medication administration errors (MAEs) in a tertiary hospital in Kelantan, Malaysia, within the unique sociocultural context of East-Coast Malaysia. The research aims to understand the causes and underreporting of MAEs and assess the proportion of reported incidents according to MAE types. Methods. A cross-sectional study involving 424 critical care nurses from Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II (HRPZII), Hospital Sultan Ismail Petra (HSIP), and Hospital Tanah Merah (HTM) was conducted. Nurses in administrative roles or unavailable during the survey period were excluded. The study utilized a validated Medication Administration Errors Survey questionnaire to gauge nurses’ perceptions on the causes of MAEs, reasons for underreporting, and the percentage of reported incidents based on MAE types. Results. Results indicate that illegible medication orders from doctors were identified as the primary cause of MAEs, while a lack of 24-hour pharmacist availability received the lowest score. The most common reason for not reporting MAEs was identified as the nursing administration’s focus on individuals rather than systemic issues when errors occur. The majority of MAEs were non-intravenous, with incorrect timing of administration being the leading cause. Conclusion. The study sheds light on critical care nurses’ perspectives on MAEs in a Malaysian hospital setting, highlighting key factors contributing to these errors and barriers to their reporting. Understanding these perceptions is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate MAEs and enhance patient safety in critical care environments.

Determinants of housing prices: evidence from East Coast Malaysia

Purpose The purpose of this study is designed to achieve the learning process in producing studies involving economic issues and scenarios in business management in Malaysia. In addition, this study will provide exposure to the integration of managerial skills by using both microeconomics and macroeconomics concepts and theories to aid decision-making in a business environment. Design/methodology/approach The research method comprised qualitative methodology of literature review, case study and quantitative methodology of multiple linear regression (MLR). In this case, seven microeconomics and macroeconomics factors which are believed to significantly affect house price index (HPI) are taken into consideration which includes gross domestic product, consumer price index (CPI), government tax and subsidy on housing, overnight policy rate, unemployment rate (UNEMP), the median income (INC) and cost of production index. Findings This research has resulted in three significant factors affecting HPI from MLR, which include CPI, UNEMP and INC where the increase of these factors will cause a high increment of HPI. The other four factors are not significant. Originality/value Malaysia has been facing the stagnancy in house market these recent years due to issues such as massive oversupply, impacting Malaysia’s economy specifically focusing on domestic direct investment. To avoid oversupply issues, the vitality of future house demand and pricing forecast should be comprehended by involved bodies for more effective planning for the house development industry. To make a better and bigger impact, this research is intended to analyse the microeconomic and macroeconomic factors affecting the HPI to better understand the significance of each of these factors to the changes of HPI to resolve these economic issues.

Exploring the impact of agriculture and physical geography on poverty in the East Coast of Malaysia: A spatial analysis

Poverty is one of the most significant issues facing humanity in the 21st century. In Malaysia, awareness of poverty was more heavily weighted toward developing a prosperous lifestyle. Hence, the objectives of this study were to explore the spatial pattern of poverty and the effects of agricultural growth and physical geography on poverty in East Coast, Malaysia. Secondary data on the heads of poor households from 2020 were obtained from the e-Kasih database. The dependent variable was the number of poor household heads in each district, which count variable and acts as an indicator for measuring poverty. Therefore, a Generalised Linear Model (GLM) was used. Since a spatial autocorrelation was detected in the model using Moran’s I statistic, a Poisson Log Linear Leroux Conditional Autoregressive was fitted to the data. RStudio software was used to analyze the data. The results of this study indicate that the variables of the number of people without education, number of female heads of households, number of government servants, total land area for cash crops, and slope significantly influence the number of poor household heads in each district. The estimated poverty risk in each district was measured. ArcMap software created the poverty distribution map in Kelantan, Pahang, and Terengganu. The estimated poverty risk map shows a nearly similar spatial pattern to the Standardised Poverty Rate (SPR) map. This research adds new literature on poverty models in Kelantan, Pahang, and Terengganu for other researchers studying poverty factors in these regions.

Staff Perception on Job Characteristics, Motivation, Organizational Commitment and Productivity

Job characteristics, motivation, organizational commitment, and productivity are the mediating factors for an employee’s performance and a successful organization. Hence, the present study aims to observe employees’ perception pertaining to their job characteristics, motivation commitment and productivity, while working at a private higher education provider in the East Coast of Malaysia. The study employs a quantitative approach via survey questionnaire on 160 respondents. The results reveal that most of the respondents understood about their characteristics, motivation, organizational commitment, and productivity. Their perception on the factors provides valuable insight to employers in providing appropriate organizational supports and better working environment. They are substantial in elevating better performance and promote business profitability.

Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms Among Community-Dwelling Older People in East-Coast Malaysia

Older people are increasing in number globally, and they are likely to have mental health problems, including depression. In this population, the risk of having depressive symptoms is very high due to multidimensional factors, but these symptoms are often undertreated. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older people living on the East Coast of Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in several areas of the state of Terengganu based on multilayered stratified sampling. A total of 240 participants were randomly selected. Several instruments were employed, such as the Geriatric Depression Scale, University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Duke University Religion Index, Barthel Modified Index, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 24.6%. The results of the multivariate logistic regression model also revealed that being a single elderly (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] = 4.42; Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.22; 15.96), poor social support (aOR = 3.06; CI = 1.18; 7.93), loneliness (aOR = 21.11; CI = 9.87; 45.18), impaired functional status (aOR = 3.39; CI = 1.22; 9.39), impaired instrumental function (aOR = 6.09; CI = 1.95; 19.0), and having asthma (aOR = 14.14; CI = 2.83; 70.5) were associated with depressive symptoms. Thus, screening older people during primary care is needed for early detection of depression and initiation of community-based interventions to address the psychological aspects of this disorder. Keywords: aging, community dwelling, depression, elderly, factor, mental health Abstrak Faktor-Faktor yang Berkaitan dengan Gejala Depresi pada Kalangan Lansia di Pantai Timur Malaysia. Jumlah penduduk lanjut usia di seluruh dunia semakin meningkat, dan mereka cenderung mempunyai masalah kesehatan mental, termasuk depresi. Pada populasi ini, risiko terjadinya gejala depresi sangat tinggi karena faktor multidimensi, namun gejala tersebut seringkali tidak tertangani. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui prevalensi dan faktor-faktor yang berhubungan dengan gejala depresi di kalangan lansia yang tinggal di Pantai Timur Malaysia. Sebuah studi cross-sectional dilakukan di beberapa wilayah negara bagian Terengganu berdasarkan multilayered stratified sampling. Sebanyak 240 peserta dipilih secara acak. Beberapa instrumen yang digunakan antara lain Geriatric Depression Scale, University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Duke University Religion Index, Barthel Modified Index, dan Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. Prevalensi gejala depresi adalah 24,6%. Hasil multivariate logistic regression model juga mengungkapkan bahwa menjadi lansia tunggal (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4,42; Confidence Interval [CI] = 1,22; 15,96), dukungan sosial yang buruk (aOR = 3,06; CI = 1,18; 7,93), kesepian (aOR = 21,11; CI = 9,87; 45,18), gangguan status fungsional (aOR = 3,39; CI = 1,22; 9,39), gangguan fungsi instrumental (aOR = 6,09; CI = 1,95; 19,0), dan menderita asma (aOR = 14,14; CI = 2,83; 70,5) berhubungan dengan gejala depresi. Oleh karena itu, memeriksa lansia selama perawatan utama diperlukan untuk deteksi awal depresi dan inisiasi intervensi berbasis komunitas yang dapat mengatasi aspek psikologis dari gangguan ini. Kata Kunci: depresi, faktor, kesehatan mental, lansia, penuaan, tempat tinggal komunitas

An application of deep learning for lightning prediction in East Coast Malaysia

This paper presents the application of deep learning (DL) approach namely Feed-Forward Neural Networks (FFNN) in predicting the location of lightning occurrences within 100 km radius from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) Pekan, Pahang Malaysia. The recorded data were obtained from Malaysia Meteorology Department (MET Malaysia), where the inputs of the DL are the intensity of the lightning in kilo Ampere, direction in degrees, distance and major axis that measures in km, while the output is the latitude and longitude of the lightning occurrences. The data are divided into training, validation and testing to measure the performance of the developed DL model. The findings of the study demonstrated the promising results of FFNN in terms of obtaining the minimum error which significantly increasing the accuracy of the predictions. To show the effectiveness of FFNN, the comparison study has been conducted with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. From the simulation, it can be seen that FFNN can be used as an effective tool for predicting the location of lightning occurred better than the LSTM.

Factors on political involvement among university student in Malaysia

For a country to remain stable, young people's participation in politics is crucial. Today's youth, even university students who ought to be at the forefront of this crucial issue, are becoming less and less interested in participating in politics. The purpose of this study was to determine the elements that influence university students' political participation. A cross-sectional survey of 417 university students from Peninsular Malaysia's East Coast was done. The AMOS programme was used to analyze the data obtained through the questionnaire using the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The results demonstrate that factors such as attitude, family, media, and socializing have a favorable impact on university students' political involvement. This conclusion is supposed to serve as a foundation for different stakeholders to take all required steps to boost the involvement of university students in politics.

The Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Infantile Seizures in the First Year of Life: A Single-Center Study

BackgroundEpilepsy has a high incidence among infants during their first year of life, yet the prognosis can vary significantly. Although considerable research has been conducted on infantile spasms, studies examining infantile-onset epilepsy, excluding infantile spasms, remain limited, particularly concerning the factors influencing outcomes. Therefore, our study aims to elucidate seizure control, developmental outcomes, and prognostic factors in infants with epilepsy during their first year of life, within a single-center study in Malaysia. MethodsWe retrieved data from patients who experienced seizures before age 12 months and were followed for over two years, using electronic patient records at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II in Kelantan, a state in Malaysia's east coast. We retrospectively reviewed these records and assessed clinical outcomes based on the last follow-up. ResultsOf 75 patients, 61 (81.3%) achieved good seizure control or remission. At the last follow-up, 24 (32%) exhibited developmental delay, whereas 19 (25.3%) displayed abnormal neuroimaging. Patients with abnormal background electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, as well as abnormal radiological findings, were more likely to experience poor seizure control and unfavorable developmental outcomes (P < 0.05). ConclusionsOur study underscores that most infants with epilepsy can achieve seizure remission. However, poor seizure control and developmental delay are associated with abnormal EEG background and characteristics, as well as neuroimaging abnormalities. The management of infantile-onset epilepsies may necessitate substantial resources and precise interventions to enhance overall outcomes.