The concentration and chemical speciation of Cd and Zn as well as total organic carbon (TOC) were studied in surface sediments from 21 stations along Klang River. Sequential extraction technique (SET) was applied to assess the four (exchangeable, acid-reducible, oxidisable-organic and residual) fractions in surface sediment. And also, to obtain an overall classification of cadmium and zinc pollution in this area. This investigation was the first study on the basis of the chemical speciation of Cd and Zn in surface sediments of the Klang River. The total concentrations of metals were ranged (0.60-2.26 µg g− 1) for Cd and (33.26-268.24 µg g− 1) for Zn. The chemical speciation of Cd and Zn in most sampling stations were in the order of residual > acid-reducible > oxidisable-organic > exchangeable, and it showed that the Zn in Klang River surface sediments existed in the nonresistant fractions, whilst Cd existed in the resistant fraction. The degree of surface sediments contamination was determined for individual contamination factors (ICF) and global contamination factor (GCF). The result of ICF and GCF values showed that those stations located vicinity of municipal area had high potential risk to fauna and flora of the Klang River. The relationship between the concentration of cadmium and zinc at the oxidationorganic fraction with TOC in surface sediment was identified. The results showed that TOC had a positive function to complex with Cd and Zn in the surface sediment of Klang River.

School leaders are key factors in implementation of information and communication technology (ICT) in schools. They need to understand the capacities of the new technologies, to have a personal proficiency in their use, and be able to promote a school culture which encourages exploration of new techniques in teaching, learning and management. However, there is less information about the current status of ICT use by Malaysian school principals. This paper investigated the extent to which secondary school principals use computers in Malaysia and determined factors related to level of computer use by principals (cultural perceptions and leadership style of principals). Initial report also highlighted analysis of a baseline data gathered from 520 secondary school principals in the state of Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia. Findings indicate that school principals are using computers for instructional and administrative purposes and they have moderate competency in computer applications and spent a few times a week working on their computers. Also, cultural perceptions and transformational leadership contributed significantly to the level of computer use by principals. It is anticipated that the data obtained from the study will open new lines of inquiry about the crucial roles of school leaders in the adoption of ICTs and will contribute to decisions about future developmental needs because more will be known about their preparedness for change. Hence, policy makers must design professional development programs, such as leadership studies, in order to teach the components of transformational leadership; idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individual consideration to future administrators.

Rapid technological and social changes in society have led to reformation and transformation in educational system. This has demands for innovative behaviour among teachers that play the key role in implementing the educational reformation and transformation schemas at school. The purpose of this study is to describe the level of innovative behaviour among teachers in secondary school in Malaysia and the impact of transformational leadership on teachers' innovative behaviour before and after the inclusion of teachers' commitment as mediator. This study employed a survey method, which utilised a set of questionnaire containing items to measure three main variables, namely. transformational leadership of school leaders, teachers' commitment and innovative behaviour. There were 961 teachers from various secondary schools were randomly selected as respondents which consisted of 704 female teachers and 257 male teachers. The mean values show that the level of innovative behaviour among teachers are moderately high. Further, the hierarchical linear regression analysis identified teachers' commitment partially mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and teachers' innovative behaviour. This study provides a glimpse of teachers innovative behaviour improvement resulted from transformational leadership and their commitment towards their career and organization.

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Objective: To assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of type 2 diabetes patients regarding Ramadan fasting. study Design: A cross-sectional study done at the outpatient clinic hospital at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Two hundred and forty three type 2 diabetes patients who attended the outpatient clinic were given a self-administered questionnaire. Two-way analysis ofvariance (2-way ANOVA) was used to test differences ofthe total mean score ofknowledge, attitude, and practice between genders and between those who received health education and those who did not.Result: Knowledge deficits were identified for symptoms of hypoglycemia, correct practice during fasting, and problems that may arise from fasting. Apositive attitude was noted for self-control of the disease and the ability to fast. Medications were adjusted according to doctors' advice. The majority ate the predawn meal, but only 15.696 had supper, and 16.096 never took simple sugars on breaking fast. Conclusion: Type 2 diabetes patients exhibited a good attitude toward Ramadan fasting despite deficits in knowledge and inappropriate practice.

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BackgroundSince 2000, the widespread adoption of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) has had a major impact in the prevention of pneumonia. Limited access to international financial support means some middle-income countries (MICs) are trailing in the widespread use of PCVs. We review the status of PCV implementation, and discuss any needs and gaps related to low levels of PCV implementation in MICs, with analysis of possible solutions to strengthen the PCV implementation process in MICs.Main bodyWe searched PubMed, PubMed Central, Ovid MEDLINE, and SCOPUS databases using search terms related to pneumococcal immunization, governmental health policy or programmes, and MICs. Two authors independently reviewed the full text of the references, which were assessed for eligibility using pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The search terms identified 1,165 articles and the full texts of 21 were assessed for suitability, with eight articles included in the systematic review. MICs are implementing PCVs at a slower rate than donor-funded low-income countries and wealthier developed countries. A significant difference in the uptake of PCV in lower middle-income countries (LMICs) (71%) and upper middle-income countries (UMICs) (48%) is largely due to an unsuccessful process of “graduation” of MICs from GAVI assistance, an issue that arises as countries cross the income eligibility threshold and are no longer eligible to receive the same levels of financial assistance. A lack of country-specific data on disease burden, a lack of local expertise in economic evaluation, and the cost of PCV were identified as the leading causes of the slow uptake of PCVs in MICs. Potential solutions mentioned in the reviewed papers include the use of vaccine cost-effectiveness analysis and the provision of economic evidence to strengthen decision-making, the evaluation of the burden of disease, and post-introduction surveillance to monitor vaccine impact.ConclusionThe global community needs to recognise the impediments to vaccine introduction into MICs. Improving PCV access could help decrease the incidence of pneumonia and reduce the selection pressure for pneumococcal antimicrobial resistance.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s41479-017-0030-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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