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Amran Ahmed

Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Institute ofv Engineering Mathematics, Faculty Member

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Papers by Amran Ahmed

Obesity determinants among Malaysian schoolchildren: What is new?

Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 2017

Obesity among schoolchildren has been regarded as one of the most serious public health challenge... more Obesity among schoolchildren has been regarded as one of the most serious public health challenges in this decade. This problem has now become more evident in the developing countries including Malaysia. It is linked with numerous risk factors mainly unhealthy lifestyle (1). Despite many surveys that have been conducted globally, the latest data on its determinants among Malaysian schoolchildren, particularly in suburban state like Terengganu, is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to provide the current analysis on obesity determinants including demographic, socioeconomic status, dietary intake, physical activity, and physical fitness level and its relationship with childhood obesity. Using a cross-sectional study design, a total of 1,404 schoolchildren were involved in the study (46•3 % boys and 53•7 % girls; 67•7 % urban and 32•3 % rural). Data on demographic and socioeconomic were gathered using a selfadministered questionnaire. Height and body weight were measured and BMI-forage Z-score was calculated using WHO AnthroPlus software and compared with WHO BMI-forage Z-score classifications (2007) (2). Dietary intake and physical activity level were measured using FFQ and c-PAQ, respectively, whereas physical fitness level was assessed using SEGAK test, a standardised fitness norm test for Malaysian students. All data were analysed using multivariable analysis. Interestingly in the final model, obesity in both genders was found to be positively associated with parental obesity, birth weight and serving of milk and dairy products intake whilst negatively associated with household size. Schoolchildren of father or mother with one unit higher in BMI, will have 0•073 unit or 0•069 unit higher in BMI Z-score, respectively (P < 0•001). Schoolchildren who were 1 kg heavier at birth will have 0•357 unit higher in BMI Z-score (P = 0•003). Similarly, an increase in one serving size of milk and dairy products intake will increase BMI Z-score by 0•194 unit (P = 0•036). Nevertheless, schoolchildren with one extra household family member will have 0•085 unit lower in BMI Z-score (P = 0•022). Overall, 13•1 % of the variation in BMI Z-score was explained by father's BMI, mother's BMI, birth weight, household number, and serving size milk and dairy products according to the multiple linear regression (MLR) model (R 2 = 0•131).

Distribution System Expansion Planning Using Enhanced Version Boltzmann Machine

10th International Conference on Robotics, Vision, Signal Processing and Power Applications, 2019

The Distribution System Expansion Planning (DSEP) problem is a highly complex problem. The object... more The Distribution System Expansion Planning (DSEP) problem is a highly complex problem. The objective of the DSEP is to fulfill electricity load increment at the lowermost cost and consumers’ reliability desires with a level of satisfaction. This paper proposed a solution for DSEP problem by using meta-heuristic technique. The proposed method will be formulated by using mean-variance analysis approach in the form of mixed-integer quadratic programming problem. It consists of two layers meta-heuristic which combining Hopfield network and Boltzmann machine in upper and lower layer respectively named as Enhance Version Boltzmann Machine. The originality of the proposed method is it will delete the unit of the lower layer, which is not selected in upper layer in its execution. Then, the lower layer is restructured using the selected units. Due to this feature, the proposed method will greatly reducing times consuming and improve the accuracy of solution. Since the solution provided in va...

Influence of School Location within Districts of Terengganu on Body Weight Status among School Adolescents

The International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 2017

Rapid development in the urbanisation process is linked to a shift in dietary intake and lifestyl... more Rapid development in the urbanisation process is linked to a shift in dietary intake and lifestyle. The locality may also determine the differences in socio-demographic and environmental factors related to nutrition between the rural and urban populations. The present study aimed to determine prevalence of obesity and to compare the body weight status on body weight status among school adolescents aged 10 to 17 years within districts of Terengganu. A cross sectional survey involving school adolescents aged 10 to 17 years from all government school in seven districts in Terengganu were carried out. Anthropometrics data were obtained from National Fitness Standard (SEGAK) assessment which was uploaded into specific developed database Health Monitoring System (HEMS) and BMI were classified using WHO BMI-for-age zscore. A total of 62,567 school adolescents were involved in this study. Girls had significantly higher BMI than boys in age groups of 13 to 15 and 16 to 17 years old. There we...

An Improved Boltzmann Machine for Strategic Investment Planning in Power System Environment

Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2017

The objective of this research is to propose an effective method to determine an optimal solution... more The objective of this research is to propose an effective method to determine an optimal solution for strategic investment planning in power system environment. The proposed method will be formulated by using mean-variance analysis approach in the form of mixed-integer quadratic programming problem. Its target is to minimize the risk and maximize the expected return. The proposed method consists of two phase neural networks combining Hopfield network at the first phase and Boltzmann machine in the second phase resulting the fast computational time. The originality of the proposed model is it will delete the unit of the second phase, which is not selected in first phase in its execution. Then, the second phase is restructured using the selected units. Due to this feature, the proposed model will improve times and the accuracy of obtained solution. The significance of output from this project is the improvement of computational time and the accurate solution will be obtained. This mod...

Association between socioeconomic status and obesity among 12-year-old Malaysian adolescents

PLOS ONE, Jul 25, 2018

The epidemic of obesity in developed countries is commonly associated with poor dietary habit and... more The epidemic of obesity in developed countries is commonly associated with poor dietary habit and sedentary lifestyle. However, other determinants, including education background and family income, may contribute towards the problem especially in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on obesity among 12-year-old school adolescents in Terengganu, Malaysia. Body weight and height were measured and BMI was categorised based on WHO z-score cutoff points. Information was obtained from self-reported questionnaire on parents' education background, family income and occupation. A total of 3,798 school adolescents aged 12 years (44% boys and 56% girls) were recruited. There was no significant difference in BMI status between boys and girls, or between rural and urban participants. There were significant differences between BMI categories and gender, household income and SES level within rural areas. In the urban areas, significant differences were found between BMI categories and gender, parents' occupational and educational level, household income and size, and SES level. A logistic regression model found several SES factors to be predictors of obesity in this population, namely, gender, household size, father's occupation level, household income level and SES level. Each component of SES has been significantly associated with the BMI category of school adolescents, particularly in the urban areas. This suggests the requirement of multifaceted approaches, including the role of family, society and authorities, in the effort to curtail adolescent obesity.

Six Sigma evaluation using process capability and -X control chart for reducing variance in oil density characteristic: a study in Yemen

International Journal of Quality Engineering and Technology, 2017

This paper presents Six Sigma evaluation based on process capability with X control chart to redu... more This paper presents Six Sigma evaluation based on process capability with X control chart to reduce variations in the oil density characteristics in an oil refinery process in Aden, Yemen. Twenty-five oil density samples with normal distribution were randomly collected, and each sample consisted of four items. Analysis indicated that the levels of sigma employed in Aden refinery are less than 3 σ. The results of this study suggested that the X chart based on six sigma estimation method is significant to reduce variance in the oil density characteristic. In addition, the sigma levels increase when the process capability increases. Thus, the increment in sigma levels leads to improvements in the performance of the process refinery of oil density characteristic. Finally, this paper provides the necessary fundamentals and knowledge for quality control researchers and engineers to reduce variances by using Six Sigma.

Structural Learning of Boltzmann Machine: An Application

Applied Mechanics and Materials, 2015

In order to solve a problem efficiently, we propose the structural learning of Boltzmann machine.... more In order to solve a problem efficiently, we propose the structural learning of Boltzmann machine. The proposed method enables us to solve the problem defined in terms of mixed integer quadratic programming. In this research, an analysis is performed by using the concepts of the reliability and risks of units evaluated using a variance-covariance matrix and also the effect and expanses of replacement are measured. Mean-variance analysis is formulated as a mathematical programming with two objectives to minimize the risk and maximize the expected return. Finally, we employ a Boltzmann machine to solve the mean-variance analysis efficiently. At the end, the result of our method was exemplified. This method enables us to obtain a more effective selection of results and enhanced the effectiveness of the decision making process.

Short-Term Forecasting Models of Bagan Datoh Cocoa Bean Price

The purpose of this paper is to indentify the best short-term forecasting model (12 months ahead)... more The purpose of this paper is to indentify the best short-term forecasting model (12 months ahead) of the Bagan Datoh cocoa bean price. The Monthly average data of Bagan Datoh cocoa bean prices graded SMC 1B for the period of January 1992 - December 2006 was used. Four different types of univariate time series models were utilized, namely the exponential smoothing, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) and the mixed ARIMA/GARCH models. Root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), mean absolute error (MAE) and Theil's inequality coefficient (U-STATISTICS) were used as selection criteria to determine the best forecasting model. This study revealed that the time series data were influenced by a positive linear trend factor while a regression test result showed the non-existence of seasonal factors. Moreover, based on the Autocorrelation function (ACF) and the Augmented DickeyFulle...

Six Sigma evaluation using process capability and X control chart for reducing variance in oil density characteristic: a study in Yemen

International Journal of Quality Engineering and Technology, 2017

This paper presents Six Sigma evaluation based on process capability with X control chart to redu... more This paper presents Six Sigma evaluation based on process capability with X control chart to reduce variations in the oil density characteristics in an oil refinery process in Aden, Yemen. Twenty-five oil density samples with normal distribution were randomly collected, and each sample consisted of four items. Analysis indicated that the levels of sigma employed in Aden refinery are less than 3 σ. The results of this study suggested that the X chart based on six sigma estimation method is significant to reduce variance in the oil density characteristic. In addition, the sigma levels increase when the process capability increases. Thus, the increment in sigma levels leads to improvements in the performance of the process refinery of oil density characteristic. Finally, this paper provides the necessary fundamentals and knowledge for quality control researchers and engineers to reduce variances by using Six Sigma.

Waste audit and awareness on recycling program: a case study in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Malaysia

A waste audit was carried out in Universiti Malaysia Sabah on-campus residential colleges (AB, CD... more A waste audit was carried out in Universiti Malaysia Sabah on-campus residential colleges (AB, CD and E) from 8 to 22 March 2006 involving 1323 students.The waste audit was conducted to identify the total waste disposed by students and to determine the percentage of waste that can be recycled based on six categories : organic waste, plastics, paper, aluminum, glass, and others. The audit found that the organic waste has the highest percentage, while glass is the lowest percentage thrown by the students. Recycling and composting could greatly enhance the solid waste management in UMS, whereby UMS can reduce up to 85% of its solid waste from being sent out to the landfill. A survey was also conducted among 440 students from the waste audit participants, on their awareness level in recycling program, composting, role and responsibilities of students. The partial correlation analysis on the survey responses revealed that the students only understand the basic recycling program. This ind...

Formulation of noise isolation index for evaluating the interior acoustics level in vehicle cabin

Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 2018

This article proposes noise isolation index to assess the acoustical comfort level in the interio... more This article proposes noise isolation index to assess the acoustical comfort level in the interior vehicle cabin. The noise isolation index is developed, validated, and compared for three local compact cars, namely, Axia, Myvi, and Viva which are most widely used vehicles in Malaysia and have not been yet studied. Toward this end, the interior and exterior sound signals are recorded on both stationary and non-stationary (highway, pavement, and urban) conditions and the trends of sound quality loudness (sone) and sharpness (acum) with respect to sound pressure level (Pa) are observed. The findings of this study indicate that the noise isolation index results are literally influenced by factors including type of road surface, engine transmissions, and vehicle design characteristics. The proposed index can be successfully extended by automotive researchers to assess the interior vehicle noise and can be significant factor in vehicle manufacturing process.

A Modified Boltzmann Machine for Solving Distribution System Expansion Planning in Malaysia

Received Apr 8, 2018 Revised Jun 9, 2018 Accepted Jun 23, 2018 This paper proposes an effective t... more Received Apr 8, 2018 Revised Jun 9, 2018 Accepted Jun 23, 2018 This paper proposes an effective technique to solve Distribution System Expansion Planning (DSEP) problem by using the artificial neural network. The proposed technique will be formulated by using mean-variance analysis (MVA) approach in the form of mixed-integer quadratic programming problem. It consists of two layers neural network which combine Hopfield network and Boltzmann machine (BM) in upper and lower layer respectively named as Modified BM. The originality of the proposed technique is it will delete the unit of the second layer, which is not selected in the first layer in its execution. Then, the second layer is restructured using the selected units. Due to this feature, the proposed technique will improve time consuming and accuracy of solution. Referring to the case study demonstrated in this paper, the significance outputs obtained are the improvement in computational time and accuracy of solution provided. A...

Reliability of Anthropometric Measurements Conducted in National Physical Fitness Standard (Segak) Assessments Among School-Aged Adolescents in Terengganu, Malaysia

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2019

School-based health programs implemented by the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) through the... more School-based health programs implemented by the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MOE) through the National Physical Fitness Standard (SEGAK) assessments provided an important platform in health status monitoring among schoolchildren. However, to date, there is still no reliability study conducted on this method. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the reliability of the anthropometric data collected by physical education (PE) teachers in the SEGAK assessments. Anthropometry measurements of standard six school adolescents involved in the Health of Adolescents in Terengganu study were taken by trained researchers using a standardised protocol. The anthropometrics data were then compared with PE teachers’ measurements from the SEGAK assessments obtained from the specifically developed Health Monitoring System database. Reliability of the anthropometric measurements were analysed using Pearson’s correlation test, Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), Bland-Altman plot and Cohe...

Solving financial allocation problem in distribution system expansion planning

Bulletin of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, 2019

This paper introduces a new technique to solve financial allocation in Distribution System Expans... more This paper introduces a new technique to solve financial allocation in Distribution System Expansion Planning (DSEP) problem. The proposed technique will be formulated by using mean-variance analysis (MVA) approach in the form of mixed-integer programming (MIP) problem. It consist the hybridization of Hopfield Neural Network (HNN) and Boltzmann Machine (BM) in first and second phase respectively. During the execution at the first phase, this model will select the feasible units meanwhile the second phase will restructured until it finds the best solution from all the feasible solution. Due to this feature, the proposed model has a fast convergence and the accuracy of the obtained solution. This model can help planners in decision-making process since the solutions provide a better allocation of limited financial resources and offer the planners with the flexibility to apply different options to increase the profit.

A review on the statistical concepts of six sigma

Statistical concepts aim to develop essential disciplines dedicated to provide the basis and conc... more Statistical concepts aim to develop essential disciplines dedicated to provide the basis and concepts that illustrate the efficient employment of the statistical tools for supporting objectives of a project. In recent years, Six-Sigma initiatives were utilized by industries during manufacturing procedure in order to achieve certain optimal characteristics of a product and eventually promote higher competitive advantage and propose environmentally friendly and sustainable manufacturing solutions. Moreover, Six-Sigma is extended version of the capability process index and it statistically signifies to the process quality mean of measurements and the closest specified limits, which is relatively, at most refers to the standard deviation process. This paper provides a concise review of the statistical concepts of Six Sigma and its importance in statistical quality control. It also presents the capability process index. Finally, the paper ended up with a suggestion to future researchers to employ the procedure...

432 A Comparison Between Intravenous Infusion and Oral Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) Following Pre-Emptive Intravenous Infusion of a PPI in Acute Peptic Ulcer Bleed (PUB) Post Endoscopic Hemostasis

Gastroenterology, 2013

The purpose of this paper is to indicate the role of international issues in using web technologi... more The purpose of this paper is to indicate the role of international issues in using web technologies in higher education. The main focus is on common uses of web technologies in developing countries and related issues such as accessibility, high price of hardware, software, lack of the knowledge of web technologies, computer phobia and computer illiteracy of students in the higher education of these countries. The second focus of this paper is to identify the role of cultural factors such as language, traditional culture and stereotypical impressions affecting the use of web technologies among students in the universities of developing countries. The educational systems' goals in the primary and secondary schools and the schools' culture and curriculum are also important in the success of using web technologies in the higher education of developing countries. Based upon the results of this study, recommendations will be made for success implementation of web technologies.

Educational D-N-A card game for the understanding of DNA and biotechnology

Since the discovery of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid), its structure, and function was probably the ... more Since the discovery of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid), its structure, and function was probably the most significant biological discovery of the 20th century. It has had a tremendous impact on science and medicine. However, the basic understanding to how this spiral-ladder like molecule stores the genetic information and its vital role in information interpretation through replication, transcription and translation still remain an unknown to the general public and the younger generations. A lot of time, when pieces of scientific information pertaining to DNA or biotechnology, the field that relates closely with DNA, are being conveyed, only a handful of people can appreciate them. In Malaysia, in order to foster the public education of biotechnology, while at the same time seeding the young minds with the prospects of careers in biotechnology research and industry, a nationwide biotechnology outreach and awareness program for the Malaysian high schools was carried out since 2001 (Mohd....

Comparisons between Huber's and Newton's Multiple Regression Models for Stem Biomass Estimation

This paper employed the technique of Multiple Regression (MR) in estimating the tree stem volume ... more This paper employed the technique of Multiple Regression (MR) in estimating the tree stem volume of Roystonea regia (R. regia ) based on two volumetric equations, namely, the Huber’s and Newton’s formulae. Variables considered for data mensuration were stem height (or bole), tree height, diameter at breast height, diameter at middle and diameter at top of the stem before the crown. Correlation coefficient and normality tests were done to screen and select possible variables with their interactions. Transformations were done for normality and variables with Pearson correlation coefficient values greater than 0.95 were eliminated to reduce multicollinearity. All selected models were examined using parameters tests: Global test, Coefficient test and the Wald test. The Wald test was carried out to justify the elimination of the insignificant variables. The eight criteria model selection (8SC) process was done to obtain the best regression model without effects of multicollinearity and i...

Investment Planning Problem in Power System Using Artificial Neural Network

This paper presents a model to solve Distribution Expansion Planning (DEP) problem. An effective ... more This paper presents a model to solve Distribution Expansion Planning (DEP) problem. An effective method is proposed to determine an optimal solution for strategic investment planning in distribution system. The proposed method will be formulated by using meanvariance analysis (MVA) approach in the form of mixed-integer quadratic programming problem. Its target is to minimize the risk and maximize the expected return. The proposed method consists of two layers neural networks combining Hopfield network at the upper layer and Boltzmann machine in the lower layer resulting the fast computational time. The originality of the proposed model is it will delete the unit of the lower layer, which is not selected in upper layer in its execution. Then, the lower layer is restructured using the selected units. Due to this feature, the proposed model will improve times and the accuracy of obtained solution. The significance of output from this project is the improvement of computational time and...

Correlation analysis on water quality parameter with aquatic insects abundance in Telipok river, Sabah, Malaysia

This research was conducted to evaluate the association between aquatic insect with water paramet... more This research was conducted to evaluate the association between aquatic insect with water parameter as pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and total suspended solids in Telipok River, Sabah. Sampling were done in September 2007 with 9 main station (6 sub sampling site) using kicking and dipping method to collect the aquatic insect which later on were identify with taxonomy keys. Logger@Pro meter was used to determine the water parameter value and it shows that station 1 and 2 were in Class IIA and station 3 to 9 were in Class III, based on INTERIM, Malaysia. Aquatic insects in order Ephemeroptera, Pleocoptera and Tricoptera (EPT) were found abundant in station 1 and 2, Odonata were scattered evenly in all station and Diptera were found mainly in station 3 to 9. Pearson correlation shows that EPT abundance has a negative correlation with turbidity and total suspended solids but a positive correlation was observed between the EPT with dissolved oxygen. However, Odonata and Diptera shows a...