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AbstractThe built environment sector is among the leading global fatalities and accidents. Studies showed that implementing health and safety regulations, especially in developing countries, is challenging in the sector. The lax implementation may have increased construction safety violations. There is a paucity of studies concerning the cause and impact of construction safety violations on the built environment in Nigeria. Thus, through an unexplored mechanism, this study investigated the perceived cause and proffered measures to prevent or mitigate safety violations on Nigerian construction sites. The researchers engaged experts across Nigerian cities via qualitative research design. The study used face-to-face interviews and eight construction sites observation to collect data. The research achieved saturation after 30 interviews. A thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the collected data. The study shows construction safety violations are visible threats to integrated project delivery and productivity within the built environment sector. Findings grouped the causes into human, technical, and management/government causes, highlighting the perceived cause of safety violations on Nigerian construction sites. Findings would assist stakeholders in considering the suggested measures to prevent or mitigate construction safety violations and, by extension, promote a safe working environment for construction workers.

AbstractFourth industrial revolution (4IR) technology has been proved a disaster management strategy. The technique may improve post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation regarding delivering goods and services to affected communities. There is a paucity of literature regarding 4IR usage in enhancing post-disaster recovery and rehabilitating informal settlements in South Africa. Thus, this study provides a collective insight into pre- and post-disaster reconstruction issues and the role of 4IR technologies. A qualitative research design through a face-to-face approach and three case studies were used to collect data. For the interview section, 17 participants were engaged via semi-structured interviews in Johannesburg, South Africa. Findings show that 4IR technology is germane in the 21st-century era and relevant in post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation in informal settlements. Inadequate resources (finance and workforce), damage to major infrastructure systems, absence of a comprehensive supply chain during these periods, lax implementation of post-recovery and rehabilitation for the affected communities, and lax enforcement of planning policies and practices by the government emerged as factors hindering post recovery and rehabilitation. This study will contribute to informing policymakers to develop a platform for monitoring and implementing 4IR technologies in planning existing and future infrastructure delivery in South Africa.

AbstractPast research revealed that advanced technologies viaflood resilience technologies (FReT) play an essential role in flood-resilience cities. How equipped is Nigeria’s flood practitioners in embracing FReT to reduce flood damage is yet to receive in-depth studies. Thus, this study examines the role of FReT, investigates the perceived issues facing FReT application, and proffers measures to mitigate the issues to develop better cities that can cope with flooding. To evaluate the flood resilience stakeholders, the study conducted a virtual interview in six geo-political zones of Nigeria. The interviewees were asked the main questions to address the three research questions. Thirty selected stakeholders participated. The study adopted a thematic approach to analyse collected data. Besides categorised barriers (18 issues grouped into six main barriers - technical, socio-economic, institutional, financial, infrastructure, and other barriers) and measures (14 measures grouped into two measures – structural and non-structural measures), findings agree that physical flood resilience infrastructure and funding are critical for inclusive digital transformation in flood resilience technologies and government should lead in this direction. Thus, this study thus contributes to flooding risk management (FRM) in Nigeria by understanding the perceived issues facing professional flood-resilience stakeholders and promoting more resilient places in developing cities.

Olanzapine has been shown to be effective in preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) after highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC); however, there is limited work on the impact of CINV on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the comparative cost-effectiveness of CINV prophylaxis in the Malaysian context. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the HRQoL using EQ-5D-5L and the cost-effectiveness of olanzapine compared with aprepitant for CINV prophylaxis in Malaysia using data from a local study.

Flow around a cylinder at a Reynolds number of 3900 was studied using large eddy simulation with ICEM CFD and Fluent tools for meshing and analysis, respectively. Although this issue has been explored by numerous researchers, a discrepancy still exists in the results, particularly in calculating the angle of separation, recirculation length, and statistics in the wake region behind the cylinder. In addition, the effect of spanwise grid and near-field grid resolution on the wake region needs to be addressed. This study reviews previous work and performs analyses according to the literature recommendations. The effect of spanwise length (4D, 8D, and 16D), mesh resolution in the spanwise direction (1, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 160 elements), and near-field grid on calculating recirculation length, angle of separation, and wake characteristics is investigated. Hydrodynamic values and pressure distribution around the cylinder are analyzed. The wake behind the cylinder is investigated within 10 diameters. This study concluded that compared with spanwise length, mesh resolution in the spanwise direction and near-field grid are more important factors for good-quality results.

AimTo explore the relationship between serum concentration of sex hormones and dry eye symptoms and signs in postmenopausal women.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was undertaken. Subjects were 46 postmenopausal women with dry eye (mean age 64.4±5.2 years, 13.7±6.4 years since menopause; not undergoing hormone replacement therapy). Ocular symptoms (Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and Ocular Comfort Index (OCI)), tear function (tear osmolarity, non-invasive tear break-up time, tear secretion), corneal and conjunctival staining, and meibomian gland (MG) appearance, were recorded. Venous blood was collected and serum concentrations of 17β-oestradiol (E2), 3-α-androstanediol-glucuronide (3α-diol-G), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) were determined using ELISA. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine predictors of dry eye symptoms and signs.ResultsMean serum concentration of E2, 3α-diol-G and DHEA-S was 9.02±13.40 pg/mL, 1.59±1.02 ng/mL and 0.74±0.53 μg/mL, respectively. Ocular symptoms were elevated (mean scores 27.0±18.1 (OSDI) and 40.3±8.4 (OCI)) but signs were within normal ranges. Higher serum E2 concentration along with capped glands, lid telangiectasia and older age was a significant predictor of worse MG secretion quality (p<0.001, R2adj=0.75). Serum hormones were not significant predictors of ocular symptoms in multivariate analysis (p>0.05).ConclusionSerum oestrogen appears to be a key factor in MG signs. Although serum hormone levels did not contribute significantly to dry eye symptoms in this study, it is possible that oestrogen plays a role through its effect on meibum secretion. These findings suggest that MG dysfunction underpins dry eye symptoms in non-Sjogren's dry eye in postmenopausal women.Trial registration numberACTRN12612000281897.

AimsSex hormones could provide a future treatment avenue for dry eye post menopause. However, there are few well-controlled studies. This study investigates the impact of testosterone and oestrogen on dry eye symptoms and signs in postmenopausal women.MethodsA randomised double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted involving 40 women with dry eye (age 63.9±5.1 years, 13.2±6.3 years post menopause). Ten women were assigned to each of four treatment groups: transdermal testosterone, oestradiol, testosterone/oestradiol combination and placebo. Assessment at baseline and after 8 weeks: ocular symptoms, tear osmolarity, tear stability, tear secretion, meibomian gland assessment, corneal and conjunctival sensitivity, serum concentrations of 17β-oestradiol, 3-α-androstanediol-glucuronide and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Differences from placebo were examined using one-way analysis of variance and Dunnett's t-test. Within-group analyses included paired t-tests and Spearman correlation.ResultsDryness intensity after 8 weeks was significantly worse in the oestrogen group compared with placebo (p=0.04). No significant changes in other symptoms, tear function, meibomian gland function, lid morphology, corneal or conjunctival sensitivity were observed in any of the groups when compared with the change in placebo after 8 weeks. Within-group analyses showed increased tear secretion in the testosterone/oestradiol combination group (p=0.03) and a strong association between increased serum androgen and improved tear stability in the testosterone group (ρ=0.83,p=0.01).ConclusionsOestrogen supplementation may worsen ocular symptoms in postmenopausal women with dry eye, whereas no impact of testosterone therapy on symptoms was apparent. The positive effects of oestrogen and testosterone on tear function require confirmation in a larger study, with sample size calculated from the data generated herein. Placebo control is essential in studies of dry eye therapies.Trial registration numberACTRN12612000281897.

An investigation on the liquid holdup, wave velocity, and wave frequency in horizontal annular flow has been experimentally conducted through the measurement of liquid holdup using constant electric current method (CECM) sensors. To investigate the effect of viscosity, water and glycerin were used as working liquid, using superficial liquid velocity and superficial gas velocity of 0.05 to 0.2 m/s and 12 to 40 m/s, respectively. Liquids with higher viscosity give the higher liquid holdup, lower wave velocity, and lower wave frequency. Correlations for liquid holdup and mean film thickness, wave velocity, and wave frequency have been developed with mean average errors (MAE) of 13.5%, 9.2%, and 8.6%, respectively.

To determine the repeatability of ocular surface threshold measurements using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer on the same day and 3 months apart.

The heat transfer in annular heat exchanger with titanium oxide of 1.0 volume % concentration as the medium of heat exchanger is considered in this study. The heat transfer simulation of the flow is performed by using Computational Fluid Dynamics package, Ansys Fluent. The heat transfer coefficients of water to titanium oxide nanofluid flowing in a horizontal counter-flow heat exchanger under turbulent flow conditions are investigated. The results show that the convective heat transfer coefficient of the nanofluid is slightly higher than that of the base fluid by several percents. The heat transfer coefficient increases with the increase of the mass flow rate of hot water and also the nanofluid.

This article describes a systematic approach in building a flow solver for large eddy simulation (LES). Finite volume discretizations of the filtered, incompressible, Navier–Stokes equations were explained. The theory progresses to the description of the step-by-step process (mainly in increasing functionality or capability) in developing a three-dimensional, unstructured Cartesian mesh, parallel code after evaluating numerical factors, and available options carried out earlier. This was followed by a presentation of results produced from the simulations of laminar flow, related to the validation of the source codes, which indicates that the flow solver is behaving satisfactorily.

To investigate factors influencing complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use among patients on warfarin. Cross‐sectional study of randomly selected patients at a hospital‐based anticoagulation clinic in Malaysia. A 38‐item validated data collection form was used to interview patients and investigate the reasons, perceived efficacy and adverse drug events experienced. Data were also collected on potential drug interactions and the international normalised ratio (INR). Of the 138 randomly selected patients, 76 (55%) reported using CAM – 46 (61%) used biologically based practices such as herbal products, vitamins and supplements. Monthly household income (p = 0.05, rs= 0.13) and family history of CAM use (p = 0.001, rs= 0.32) were significantly associated and positively correlated with CAM use. 19 patients reported adverse events with warfarin use while none reported adverse events with CAM use. 19 and 58 patients, respectively, were identified as being at risk of potential interactions between warfarin‐CAM and warfarin‐conventional medicines. No significant difference in the mean INR was found between CAM and non‐CAM users. A large number of patients attending the anticoagulation clinic reported using CAM. Socioeconomic factors such as monthly household income, education level and family history of CAM use were significantly related with CAM use. Routine medication interviews should include questions about concomitant CAM use.

AbstractBy the early 1990s, economic and trade liberalisation had swept through the countries of Asia. The rapid economic development experienced by the newly industrialising economies of Southeast Asia, and the opening up of the Asian markets have, undoubtedly, affected the media industries. These changes facilitated advances in the field of telecommunications, and the convergence of telecommunication, broadcasting and computing technologies resulted in commercial possibilities opening up for private interests in Asia. The prize is nothing less than telemedia supremacy over Asia and, with it, the power to influence the opinions of two-thirds of the world’s population and to control the most lucrative subscription and advertising market of the century. With a potential market of 3 billion viewers, Asia is definitely the most lucrative frontier for media corporations. The rapidly burgeoning economies of Southeast Asia and China make the expanding middle-class the most sought after consumer market for advertisers.In Malaysia, tycoons and corporations are carving out new broadcasting empires through political connection locally and strategic alliances regionally and internationally. This paper traces the development of TV broadcasting in Malaysia and explains the forays made by local businessmen and corporations in terrestrial, cable and satellite broadcasting.

AbstractThis paper seeks to examine and discuss the implications of recent trends such as liberalization and deregulation in the Malaysian television industry, specifically on the increasing commodification of content and audiences.Since the middle of 1955, the Malaysian broadcast industry witnessed an acceleration of the privatization, liberalization and deregulation processes, as a result of the introduction of a second private television station (Metrovision), the first round-theclock cable television system (MegaTV) and the first digital satellite television service (ASTRO–All Asia Television & Radio Company). The introduction of the new players in the field stiffened the competition and spurred the first private television station (TV3), for example, to diversify its activities in other core-related businesses, such as movie production, home shopping programmes and mini cinema franchise. With the increase in television stations, broadcast hours and transmission costs, television networks also resorted to capitalizing on the audience's narcissism by including the public in various shows to save on production costs. The audience is also increasingly constituted as onsumers as evidenced by the proliferation of direct selling or sales promotional programmes in all the television channels, particularly the two commercial ones.

Density is one of the basic thermo-physical properties of a fluid that should be analysed before conducting performance analysis of the fluid. In the present study, the influence of design parameters on the density of nanofluids was investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). The quadratic model generated by RSM is used to predict the performance parameters, i.e. temperature and mass concentration with reasonably good accuracy. Improved empirical correlations were proposed based on the experimental data for density prediction of the metal oxide nanofluids. Experimentally measured densities of two different nanofluids at the nanoparticle mass fraction of up to 0.2% and the temperature range of 20degC-40degC were examined. The enhancement of densities compared to the density of base fluid at 20degC and 40degC, are about 0.217% for 0.2% fraction of ZnO nanoparticles. In addition, the densities of SiO2 nanofluids are improved 0.117% compared to the density of distilled water. Finally the RSM outputs were compared with the results obtained from the experimental data. It was observed that the optimal RSM model is accurate and the absolute maximum deviations measured values from the predicted densities of ZnO and SiO2 nanofluids are 0.008% and 0.014% respectively.