https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/388894 2026-04-16T01:03:39Z https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/783021 Title: Associations of mild behavioral impairment, subjective cognitive decline, activities of daily living, and mood with objective cognition in community-dwelling Chinese older adults Authors: Tang Song Lin (P132083) Abstract: Mild behavioral impairment (MBI) is a late-life syndrome marked by new, sustained changes in behavior orpersonality linked to a heightened risk of cognitive decline. This study addresses critical gaps in understanding MBI among Chinese communitydwelling older adults, focusing on four key questions: MBI prevalence, its associations with demographic factors, relationships with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mood, activities of daily living (ADL), and objective cognition, and whether MBI and SCD jointly predict global and sub-domain cognition stronger than either alone. The aim was to investigate MBI's associations with SCD, ADL, mood, and objective cognition in this population, with specific objectives to determine MBI prevalence, analyze demographic correlates, explore inter-variable relationships, and evaluate combined predictive value ofMBI and SCD. Conducted in Nanyang City, Henan Province, China, this cross-sectional study used convenience sampling to enroll 316 communityd welling older adults (~60 years). Data were collected via validated tools and analyzed using Spearman correlations, linear regression, and hierarchical regression. Key findings indicated that MBI prevalence was 23.73%, associated with lower education, unstable income, and specific marital/living statuses, with higher rates in 60-64-yearolds. MBI correlated significantly with SCD, depressive symptoms, ADL impairment, and lower cognitive scores. Hierarchical regression revealed MBixSCD interaction negatively predicted global cognition, memory, and executive function, notably within the visuospatial and language domains. This study contributes to the field by systematically examining MBI in Chinese communities, confirming its utility as an early marker of cognitive risk and highlighting MBI-SCD co-occurrence as a robust predictor. Policy implications include integrating MBI and SCD screening into community geriatric care, targeting low-education and economically unstable groups with tailored interventions to enhance early detection and management of cognitive decline. 2026-02-20T00:00:00Z https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/783020 Title: Pengenalpastian kesan luluhawa dan pencuraian mikrob terhadap petrol Authors: Naadiah Ahmad Mazlani (P125623) Abstract: Apabila kes kebakaran sengaja dilaporkan, pengesanan dan analisis sisa cecair mudah terbakar adalah penting untuk mengesahkan perbuatan khianat. Kekurangan data berkaitan kesan luluhawa dan pencuraian mikrob terhadap petrol di negara beriklim tropika menyukarkan pengamal forensik tempatan dalam siasatan kes arson. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk merungkai kesan kedua-dua proses tersebut terhadap petrol dalam tanah kelapa sawit dan tanah gambut. Kajian terbahagi kepada dua bahagian. Bahagian pertama melibatkan luluhawa petrol dalam makmal dan luar makmal. Sebanyak 1.5 mL petrol (1% v/v) dalam pelarut pentana digunakan sebagai kawalan bagi mengenal pasti profil organik mudah meruap. Dua replikat petrol sebanyak 10 mL setiap satu dibiarkan di dalam makmal dan tiga replikat di luar makmal sehingga proses luluhawa mencapai 10-95%. Bahagian kedua mengkaji luluhawa dan pencuraian mikrob terhadap petrol dalam dua jenis tanah berbeza dengan 20 μL petrol diletakkan ke dalam sampel tanah dan dibiarkan selama 7, 14, 21 hari. Semua sampel dianalisis menggunakan GC-MS bagi membandingkan kesan luluhawa. Analisis keputusan GC-MS menunjukkan kompaun sasaran petrol seperti yang diterangkan dalam ASTM E1618-19 masih dapat dikesan walaupun luluhawa mencapai tahap maksimum. Namun, dalam tanah, kompaun sasaran hanya dapat dikesan pada hari pertama dan telah tidak dapat dikesan pada sampel di antara hari yang ke-7 dan 21. Data penjujukan DNA menunjukkan corak perubahan mikrob berbeza antara tanah gambut dan tanah kelapa sawit di bawah pendedahan petrol. Tanah gambut menunjukkan perubahan dinamik dan daya tahan yang dipacu oleh kebolehtelapan serta kandungan organik yang tinggi, manakala tanah kelapa sawit mengekalkan struktur mikrob yang stabil. Peningkatan Chloroflexota dan Actinobacteriota serta penurunan Pseudomonadota dan Planctomycetota mencerminkan tekanan pemilihan oleh petrol dan berpotensi digunakan untuk menganggar tempoh pendedahan. Penemuan ini memberi maklumat kritikal kepada penyiasatan forensik kebakaran dengan kawasan persekitaran yang serupa. Perkara ini menekankan lagi kepentingan waktu pengumpulan bukti dalam mengekalkan integriti petrol dalam kes kebakaran sengaja. 2026-02-09T00:00:00Z https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/783019 Title: Biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles from backhousia citriodora and exploring their antibacterial and larvicidal activities Authors: Madihah Mohd Afzal (P130031) Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and mosquito-borne diseases continue to pose serious global health challenges, including Malaysia. The rampant use of synthetic antibiotics and insecticides contributes to ecological harm and the emergence of resistant pathogens and vectors. This study explored the green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using aqueous leaf extract of Backhousia citriodora (BCAE), and evaluated their antibacterial and larvicidal properties. Phytochemical compounds in BCAE were identified through qualitative screening. The synthesised SeNPs from B. citriodora (BC-SeNPs) were characterised using advanced analytical techniques to determine their structure, morphology and composition. The antibacterial efficacy of BC-SeNPs was evaluated using agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti was conducted following the WHOstandard bioassay protocol, including morphological and morphometric analysis. Phytochemical analyses of BCAE revealed the presence of phenols and phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates, and steroids. The BC-SeNPs synthesised using 25 mM of Na2SeO3, 0.2 M ascorbic acid, 37 ˚C, pH 7.5, and 48 hours of reaction time exhibited a significant UV-Vis absorption peak at 234 nm. EDX analysis detected 40.9% selenium element in BC-SeNPs, while FESEM and TEM demonstrated welldispersed spherical nanoparticles sized between 30 -145 nm. XRD analysis validated the particles as SeNPs with 18.5% crystalline structure. The zeta potential (–39.1 mV) indicated good nanoparticle stability, while FTIR analysis identified various functional groups from BCAE responsible for the biosynthesis and stabilization of BC-SeNPs. The BC-SeNPs remained stable for 30 days at room temperature (25 ˚C) without aggregation. Antibacterial testing indicated that BC-SeNPs had significantly (P<0.05) higher efficacy than BCAE against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, producing the largest inhibition halos (15.11-22.67 mm) and lowest MICs (0.02-0.78 mg/mL) and MBCs (1.56-3.13 mg/mL). However, both BC-SeNPs and BCAE showed no inhibitory effects on gram-negative Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The larvicidal results indicated that BC-SeNPs demonstrated significantly (P<0.05) greater toxicity against Ae. aegypti larvae than BCAE alone, with LC₅₀ values of 481.35 ppm (24 h) and 419.09 ppm (48 h), compared to 6068.17 ppm and 5864.49 ppm for BCAE, respectively. Larvae treated with BCSeNPs showed severe morphological deformities and morphometric changes. Overall, BC-SeNPs demonstrated promising antibacterial and larvicidal effects, highlighting their potential as a green and effective alternative tool in addressing AMR and vectorborne diseases. 2026-01-14T00:00:00Z https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/783018 Title: Prevalence and risk factors of voice disorders among Palestinian university faculty: impact on voice-related quality of life Authors: Raghd M. B. Dwikat (P131808) Abstract: Voice disorders represent a significant occupational hazard for individuals in vocally demanding professions, particularly educators, adversely affecting their quality of life (QoL) and job performance. Although extensive research has focused on voice disorders among primary and secondary school teachers, university teaching faculty represent a distinct group warranting dedicated study, particularly in Palestine, due to the unique linguistic and cultural context, financial challenges, psychological stress, and educational barriers associated with the region’s prolonged political conflict and instability. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating various aspects of voice disorders among Palestinian university faculty, including measuring the prevalence of perceived voice disorders (PVDs), identifying risk factors, examining vocal tract discomfort (VTD) symptoms, and investigating their impact on QoL. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online self-reported questionnaire completed by 502 faculty members from 14 West Bank universities, recruited via convenience sampling through institutional email invitations. Data were collected using a newly developed, content-validated vocal risk factor questionnaire and three standardised instruments: the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), Vocal Tract Discomfort (VTD), and Voice- Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL). Participants were categorised into two groups based on their VHI-10 scores: those with perceived voice disorders (PVDs, VHI-10 > 11) and those with non-perceived voice disorders (NPVDs, VHI-10 ≤ 11). Findings revealed that nearly one-third of Palestinian faculty had PVDs, experiencing significantly higher frequency and severity of VTD symptoms and markedly poorer QoL, especially in the functional and physical domains, compared to those with NPVDs. Key occupational risk factors identified include high background noise, large class sizes, high weekly teaching hours, increased vocal loudness, exposure to air pollutants, and engagement in additional careers. Behavioural factors such as stress and anxiety, alongside health conditions like nasal allergies, were also significant contributors. This study offers valuable insights into the occupational vocal health challenges faced by Palestinian faculty, highlighting the need for universities to recognise these issues and for faculty to increase awareness. It emphasises the urgent need for targeted voice care interventions and policy measures to mitigate voice disorder risks, ultimately promoting vocal health and enhancing QoL. 2026-01-05T00:00:00Z