National University of Malaysia

About: National University of Malaysia is a education organization based out in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Heat transfer. The organization has 26593 authors who have published 41270 publications receiving 552683 citations. The organization is also known as: NUM & Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound as a determinant of bone health status: what properties of bone does it reflect?

Abstract: Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) has emerged as a convenient and popular screening tool for osteoporosis. This review aimed to provide basic information on the principle of QUS measurement and discuss the properties of bone reflected by QUS indices. QUS employed high frequency sound waves generated by the device to determine bone health status in humans. In vitro studies showed that QUS indices were significantly associated with bone mineral density (BMD), bone microarchitecture and mechanical parameters. In humans, QUS indices were found to be associated with BMD as well. In addition, QUS could discriminate subjects with and without fracture history and predict risk for future fracture. In conclusion, QUS is able to reflect bone quality and should be used in the screening of osteoporosis, especially in developing countries where dual-X-ray absorptiometry devices are less accessible to the general population.

High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and its association with BMI-for-age among primary school children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Abstract: Deficiencies of micronutrients can affect the growth and development of children There is increasing evidence of vitamin D deficiency world-wide resulting in nutritional rickets in children and osteoporosis in adulthood Data on the micronutrient status of children in Malaysia is limited The aim of this study was to determine the anthropometric and micronutrient status of primary school children in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur A cross sectional study of primary aged school children was undertaken in 2008 A total of 402 boys and girls aged 7-12 years, attending primary schools in Kuala Lumpur participated in the study Fasting blood samples were taken to assess vitamin D [as 25(OH)D], vitamin B12, folate, zinc, iron, and ferritin and haemoglobin concentrations Height-for-age and body mass index for age (BMI-for-age) of the children were computed Most of the children had normal height-for-age (965%) while slightly over half (580%) had normal BMI-for-age A total of 179% were overweight and 164% obese Prevalence of obesity was significantly higher among the boys (25%) than in the girls (95%) (χ2 = 22949; P 375-≤50 nmol/L) Among the boys, a significant inverse association was found between serum vitamin D status and BMI-for-age (χ2 = 5958; P = 016) This study highlights the presence of a high prevalence of sub-optimal vitamin D status among urban primary school children in a tropical country In light of the growing problem of obesity in Malaysian children, these findings emphasize the important need for appropriate interventions to address both problems of obesity and poor vitamin D status in children

Information and Communication Technology Use and Economic Growth

Abstract: In recent years, progress in information and communication technology (ICT) has caused many structural changes such as reorganizing of economics, globalization, and trade extension, which leads to capital flows and enhancing information availability. Moreover, ICT plays a significant role in development of each economic sector, especially during liberalization process. Growth economists predict that economic growth is driven by investments in ICT. However, empirical studies on this issue have produced mixed results, regarding to different research methodology and geographical configuration of the study. This paper examines the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use on economic growth using the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator within the framework of a dynamic panel data approach and applies it to 159 countries over the period 2000 to 2009. The results indicate that there is a positive relationship between growth rate of real GDP per capita and ICT use index (as measured by the number of internet users, fixed broadband internet subscribers and the number of mobile subscription per 100 inhabitants). We also find that the effect of ICT use on economic growth is higher in high income group rather than other groups. This implies that if these countries seek to enhance their economic growth, they need to implement specific policies that facilitate ICT use.