Search results
1 – 10 of 13Pau‐Ling Tee, Salmah Yusof, Suhaila Mohamed, Nor Aimi Umar and Noordin Mohamed Mustapha
The efficacy of roselle as a functional food has been revealed lately, especially for its antioxidant bioactivity. In this study, the benefits of roselle were further studied in…
Abstract
The efficacy of roselle as a functional food has been revealed lately, especially for its antioxidant bioactivity. In this study, the benefits of roselle were further studied in vivo using the model of male Sprague Dawley rats fed with normal diets (C), 2.5 percent roselle (R), 2.5 percent roselle with 15 percent soybean oil (RO) and 15 percent soybean oil (O) for 25 weeks. The results demonstrated that supplementation of roselle in the diets significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the gross body weight and increased the high‐density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL‐C) compared to the rats fed with normal diets and oil diets, and reduced the level of triglycerides in the serum. Serum total cholesterol of R group decreased compared to C but increased in RO compared to O group. Significant increase (p < 0.05) of serum uric acid was observed in R group at week 15 and 20. Addition of roselle in oil diet significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the malondialdehyde formation at week 20 and 25 but there was no significant effect of roselle on the catalase activity among the treatments at all time points. Suggests that roselle might play a role in the prevention of atherosclerosis and obesity.
Pau‐Ling Tee, Salmah Yusof and Suhaila Mohamed
A study was conducted to determine the antioxidative properties of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) methanol extract by monitoring the formation of diene‐conjugated compounds and…
Abstract
A study was conducted to determine the antioxidative properties of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) methanol extract by monitoring the formation of diene‐conjugated compounds and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in linoleic acid model system. The properties were compared to those of butylated hydroxy‐anisole (BHA) and α‐tocopherol. Results indicated that the roselle extract showed stronger antioxidant properties than BHA or α‐tocopherol. A total of 200 parts per million (ppm) of the extract inhibited more than 85 per cent of diene‐conjugated compounds after seven days of incubation at 40○C. The total phenolic compound was found to be 2.96mg/g calyx as gallic acid equivalent. This indicates that roselle is a good source of natural antioxidants which may protect the body from damage by free radicals and lipid peroxidation. The protective effect is probably through the action of highly bioavailable ascorbic acid, β‐carotene and phenolic compounds, especially the anthocyanins.
Details
Keywords
Chow‐Chin Tong, Yew‐Keong Choong, Suhaila Mohamed, Noordin Mohamed Mustapha and Nor Aini Umar
The purpose of this paper is to report on the anti‐cholesterol activities of Ganoderma lucidum on Sprague–Dawley white rats.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on the anti‐cholesterol activities of Ganoderma lucidum on Sprague–Dawley white rats.
Design/methodology/approach
Rats were divided into four groups with a sample size of six rats per groups. Different formula diets were given to each group for a period of six months. At regular intervals, blood samples were taken and analysed for the total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and low density lipoprotein (LDL‐C) levels.
Findings
Administration of hyperlipidemia diet in rats fed with 1 per cent cholesterol diet caused an increase in the TC, TG, as well as LDL‐C level as compared to the control. A decrease of 23.6 per cent in the HDL‐C level was also noted. However, supplementation of the feed with G. lucidum (0.1 per cent) in rats decreased the TC, TG and LDL‐C level significantly (P < 0.05) while further increased the plasma concentration of HDL‐C. In the case of rats fed with diet containing a mixture of 1 per cent cholesterol and 0.1 per cent of Ganoderma, the lipid profile showed much higher readings (p < 0.05) compared to the chol group.
Practical implications
The possible efficacy of G. lucidum in reducing the deposition of cholesterol in the wall of the blood vessels was indicated.
Originality/value
This article provides useful information to health care providers and consumers.
Details
Keywords
Mohamed Saih Mahfouz, Suhaila Abdalkarim Ali, Haya Ahmed Alqahtani, Amani Ahmad Kubaisi, Najla Mohammed Ashiri, Eshrag Hassan Daghriri, Shaima Ali Alzahrani, Azhar Ahmed Sowaidi, Afnan Mousa Maashi and Doa’a Albarag Alhazmi
The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of burnout syndrome and its associated factors among medical students at Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of burnout syndrome and its associated factors among medical students at Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 440 randomly selected medical students at Jazan University. The questionnaire used for this study was based on the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory.
Findings
The overall prevalence of burnout was estimated at 60.2% (95% CI 55.6–64.8). The prevalence was higher for females (64.1%) than for males (56.2%) but without statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). On average, the students scored the highest averages in the personal burnout category, followed by the study-related and client-related burnout categories. In the multivariate analysis, a lower age (beta = −3.17, p = 0.026), female (beta = −0.896, p = 0.016), and having better burnout knowledge (beta = 0.710, p = 0.025) predict significantly higher personal burnout.
Practical implications
It is necessary to implement strategies to reduce the incidence of burnout among medical students for the sake of a better quality of life for future doctors.
Originality/value
There is a high prevalence of burnout among Jazan’s medical students.
Details
Keywords
Dg Ku Zunaidah Ag Majid, Suhaila Abdul Hanan and Hazlinda Hassan
The halal industry has been growing in recent years, seeing an increasing demand for halal products from both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers and acknowledging that halal is a…
Abstract
Purpose
The halal industry has been growing in recent years, seeing an increasing demand for halal products from both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers and acknowledging that halal is a universal concept accepted by both Muslim and non-Muslim societies. Service-related providers, such as logistics, could influence the demand for halal products by consumers. This paper aims to investigate the factors that influence consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for halal logistics among young non-Muslim adults.
Design/methodology/approach
A set of survey questions were distributed to young non-Muslim adults and 280 questionnaires were analysed.
Findings
The results indicate that three independent variables had a direct relationship and significant influence on the WTP for halal logistics among non-Muslim consumers. These variables are concern on halal, knowledge about halal and perception of halal logistics. Meanwhile, the awareness of halal logistics significantly influenced the consumers' WTP for halal logistics, provided that it was mediated by the perception of halal logistics.
Originality/value
Given the gap in research on halal logistics and WTP, this paper presents a consolidated examination of this subject, particularly the WTP of young non-Muslim adults. Furthermore, by including the perception of halal logistics as a mediator, this study leverages the halal logistics knowledge to a new level, thus deepening the understanding of this topic and contributing additional knowledge. This study also presents some opportunities for future empirical research.
Details
Keywords
Islamic finance and Halal product sectors are thriving successfully. This chapter is a general review of the perception of Asian consumers on Islamic finance and Halal sectors in…
Abstract
Purpose
Islamic finance and Halal product sectors are thriving successfully. This chapter is a general review of the perception of Asian consumers on Islamic finance and Halal sectors in the global Halal economy.
Methodology/approach
The first section will briefly describe the Halal concept in both Islamic finance and Halal industries, and the growth of both sectors in Asian countries. The second part highlights the review of Asian consumers’ perception towards Islamic finance products and Halal products.
Findings
The review found that the consumers’ perception towards the Islamic finance products and Halal products is distinctive. This is due to the diversity of Asian countries in terms of geography, religion, culture, ethnic, school of thoughts (madzahib), income per capita and government’s involvement.
Originality/value
The third part of the chapter concentrates on planning towards Halal marketing, which involves the move and future challenges in different layers of industries to gear up and strengthen the Halal economy.
Details
Keywords
Hayrol Azril Mohamed Shaffril, Jeffrey Lawrence D'Silva, Nurani Kamaruddin, Siti Zobidah Omar and Jusang Bolong
The present paper attempts to investigate the awareness of coastal community towards climate change in Malaysia and to explore the factors associated with their awareness toward…
Abstract
Purpose
The present paper attempts to investigate the awareness of coastal community towards climate change in Malaysia and to explore the factors associated with their awareness toward the climate change.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a quantitative study where a set of questionnaires was developed based on reviews of literature and series of instrument development meeting. Through a multi-stage cluster sampling, a total of 210 respondents from three coastal villages in Peninsular Malaysia were selected.
Findings
The coastal community are shown to record a high mean score on their awareness toward changes relating to the sea, temperatures and the coast. Surprisingly, fishermen are found to be less aware toward climate change compared to other groups, such as housewives/retirees and students. Further analysis confirms that there are significant differences regarding coastal community awareness to changes relating to the sea, temperatures and the coast.
Research limitations/implications
This study represented the answers of 210 respondents who were randomly selected from three coastal villages in Peninsular Malaysia, and the results might be enriched if the number of respondents is increased and respondents from other villages are included. A future study should be conducted to gather information on the possible effects, rather than focusing on the respondents’ awareness. Additionally, because of the nature of the topic, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and officers from environment-related agencies should cooperate during the research.
Practical implications
It is recommended that information management activities with regard to the climate change should be actively conducted by NGOs, universities and related parties.
Originality/value
Most of the related studies are scientific in nature, leading to a gap relating to the social aspects of climate change, particularly in terms of communities’ awareness toward the climate change. Moreover, a number of local studies have produced inconsistencies in term of their results regarding the awareness of the climate change among the community. In response to this, the current study aims to fill this gap.
Details
Keywords
Munish Gupta, Vikas Sharma and Nasima Mohamed Hoosen Carrim
Employee performance and job satisfaction are crucial factors that influence organizational success, particularly in the insurance industry. The advent of data-driven approaches…
Abstract
Introduction
Employee performance and job satisfaction are crucial factors that influence organizational success, particularly in the insurance industry. The advent of data-driven approaches has led to the emergence of Employee-Performance Data Management (EPDM) practices, which play a pivotal role in shaping employee outcomes. This study, with its clear focus on the impact of EPDM on job satisfaction within the insurance sector, aims to provide an understanding of this relationship, employing a positivist perspective grounded in existing theories.
Purpose
The primary objective of this research is to investigate the influence of EPDM variables, such as data integration, technology integration, and ethical considerations, on job satisfaction among employees in the insurance industry.
Methodology
We adopted a causal-comparative research design. This design allowed us to discern the cause-and-effect relationships among the variables under study. We collected data through structured questionnaires, ensuring a diverse sample of 415 employees across various job roles within the insurance sector. Our analytical framework encompassed multiple regression analysis, f-tests, t-tests, and calculations of means and standard deviations, all of which were used to rigorously assess the data.
Findings
Our study's findings have significant implications for the insurance industry. We found that aspects of EPDM variables, including data integration, technology integration, and ethical consideration, have a profound impact on job satisfaction. These results underscore the critical role of effective data management in enhancing employee outcomes. They also highlight the need for insurance companies to invest in robust data management strategies, potentially leading to improved job satisfaction and enhanced organizational performance.
Details
Keywords
Jamil Razmak and Wejdan Farhan
The purpose of this study was threefold: to trace the extent to which digital transformation strategies are being implemented in organizations; to statistically measure, validate…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was threefold: to trace the extent to which digital transformation strategies are being implemented in organizations; to statistically measure, validate, predict and examine how digital leaders perceive a synthesized digital transformation model (DTM); and to explore whether leaders with different demographic characteristics perceive the DTM similarly.
Design/methodology/approach
The study authors surveyed 778 leaders/managers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to assess the synthetized DTM consisting of four dimensions and nine perception constructs that represent how leaders manage employees in a digital environment. The survey questions were adapted from the 2014 Westerman leading digital book published in Harvard business press.
Findings
The general findings revealed that UAE organizations that were already in the digital transformation stage before COVID-19 reacted and responded extremely quickly to speed up the implementation of their respective digital transformation strategies. We concluded that our proposed and synthetized DTM is valid and predictable, and can be adapted to trace the stages of digital transformation by leaders. A positive relationship was found between the DTM’s four dimensions and their related constructs as perceived by the leaders, regardless of differences in their demographic characteristics.
Originality/value
The synthesized digital transformation model is unique in that the authors believe there is no other research that purports to synthesize, validate and correlate using the digital transformation campus dimensions and its related constructs, reflecting leaders' perceptions toward adopting this campus. As well, this is the first UAE study to explore and compare the perspectives of leaders on their digital practices after COVID-19 in a country that has an established IT infrastructure.
Details