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The Importance of Animal Biotechnology in Aquaculture Industry
No full textThe fishing industry stands as one of Malaysia’s swiftly burgeoning sectors, constituting a significant portion of the national GDP (Figure 9.1). Over the past three decades, the industry had experienced rapid and dynamic growth, transitioning from traditional marine capture commodities to aquaculture commodities, which now make remarkable contributions (Kurniawan et al. 2021). This industry,
which accounts for up to 0.2% of national GDP, has been successful in manufacturing and promoting high-value items to meet local demand and even export them internationally (FAO, 2016)
The Effect of Bilingual Practices on Foreign Language Learning Experiences of International Students in Higher Education
No full textThis study investigates the impactful bilingual practices of an instructor teaching a foreign language course (Malay) and their profound effect on the language learning experiences of participants (N > 63) from diverse countries beyond the Southeast Asian region. We gathered valuable insights through comprehensive participant observations and in-depth interviews with the instructor. After five weeks, we administered a questionnaire to evaluate the foreign language learning experiences of international students. Our findings reveal that the instructor implements her bilingual practices into three pivotal themes: the nature of these practices (what), descriptions of their intended purposes (why), and the underlying reasons for their implementation (how). The instructor embraced a flexible bilingual model, employing effective techniques such as code-switching, contextual and linguistic support, personalised adaptations of bilingual practices, and role modelling. The responses from participants indicate remarkable satisfaction with their language learning experiences, averaging an impressive score of 3.85. Moreover, their average exam score of 0.193 corresponds to a large Eta-squared effect size of 19%. This evidence underscores the significant impact of the instructor’s bilingual practices on enhancing participants’ foreign language learning experiences, resulting in meaningful variability in their academic performance. We assert that this research is a pioneer within the context of higher education in Malaysia, as it comprehensively explores international students’ language learning experiences from a truly global perspective. A comparative study of non-Asian and Asian students in the Malay Course could provide valuable insights into language learning experiences across cultures
The relationship between digital technology usage, managerial support, and psychological detachment with employees' work-life conflict in the public sector in Kuching
No full textNavigating the balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being remains a significant challenge facing today's workforce in our increasingly connected global workplace. This study investigates key factors influencing work-life conflict through the theoretical lens of the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, examining how digital technology usage, managerial support, and psychological detachment interact to shape employees' work-life experiences. A quantitative approach was employed, collecting data from 100 public sector employees in Kuching, Sarawak via an online questionnaire. Results indicate that digital technology usage, as a job demand, is positively associated with work-life conflict, suggesting that higher technology use contributes to greater conflict between work and personal life. In contrast, managerial support and psychological detachment, as job resources, are negatively associated with work-life conflict, demonstrating that supportive leadership and the ability to disengage from work help mentally reduce such conflict. These findings provide valuable insights for organisational policy development, suggesting that interventions should target both reducing excessive technology demands and strengthening supportive resources. Human resource practitioners can leverage these results to design comprehensive wellness programs that facilitate psychological detachment, foster supportive leadership practices, and establish reasonable boundaries for technology use
Medication adherence among hypertensive patients in primary care clinics in Sarawak, Malaysia : a mixed-methods study
No full textHypertension affects 30-40% of people globally, with nearly half of hypertensive patients in Malaysia having uncontrolled blood pressure due to poor medication adherence. Factors influencing adherence include polypharmacy, medication knowledge, ethnicity, side-effects, traditional medicine use and socio-economic. While most studies focus on West Malaysia, there is limited research in Sarawak, highlighting the need for a mixed methods study to explore medication adherence in this region. This study used a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design in government health clinics with hypertensive patients. The quantitative phase assessed medication adherence and associated factors using the Medication Compliance Assessment Form. The qualitative phase involved in-depth interviews to explore factors affecting adherence identified in the quantitative phase. Quantitative data were analysed with means, percentages, and logistic regression, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Quantitative study with 548 hypertensive patients from 23 health clinics found that 40% were male, Bidayuh ethnicity (43.6%) with mean age of 58.6 SD 11.34 years. About half (58.6%) had well controlled hypertension, while 32.3% were non-adherent to their medication. Uncontrolled blood pressure was significantly associated with non-adherence (p=0.001, OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.27-2.63). Factors influencing adherence included age (p=0.035, OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99) and taking multiple medications (p=0.002, OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.18-2.05). Qualitative interviews with 24 patients revealed that age improved understanding but increased forgetfulness, impacting adherence both ways, while managing multiple medications led to frustration and confusion, hindering adherence. This study highlights key factors affecting medication adherence in Sarawak, including age and polypharmacy, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to improve adherence.
Keywords: Hypertension, medication adherence, primary car
Navigating New Realities: The Potential of Generative AI’s Roles in Malaysian Creative Industry
No full textThis chapter presents an initial investigation into the potential trans-formative impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Malaysia’s creative media industry, emphasizing its emerging integration and potential implications across various sectors such as digital art, film, music, and interactive media. The study employs a conceptual approach, supplemented by case studies, to illustrate how Generative AI could revolutionize content creation processes and enhance audience engagement through innovative technology applications. Additionally, the chapter explores key areas where AI technologies might foster new forms of artistic expression and optimize production workflows, indicating significant shifts in both economic and social landscapes within the creative sectors. It addresses crucial ethical concerns, focusing on challenges related to authenticity, copyright, and the risk of cultural homogenization. The need for stringent regulatory frameworks to manage intellectual property rights in the era of AI-driven content creation is high-lighted as a primary consideration. Furthermore, the chapter discusses the economic impacts of AI, highlighting the dual potential for increasing productivity and causing job displacement in traditional creative roles. The conclusion points towards future trends in AI integration, suggesting that ongoing technological advancements could offer more personalized and immersive media experiences. This initial exploration aims to provide academics, industry professionals, and policymakers with insight
Heritage Reloaded: A Curatorial Notes
No full textHeritage Reloaded: A Curatorial Notes offers a concise reflection on the curatorial thinking behind reinterpreting heritage within a contemporary exhibition context. This article outlines the curatorial approach used to bridge traditional cultural forms with modern artistic expressions, emphasising how artists respond to inherited narratives, materials, and symbols. By examining the artworks selected and the thematic direction of the exhibition, the notes highlight the ways heritage can be revitalised to remain relevant for present audiences. The curatorial process reveals that heritage is not static, but continuously reshaped through new perspectives, creative experimentation, and evolving social realities. This article positions Sarawak Artist Society: Heritage Reloaded as an example of how curatorial practice can activate cultural memory while encouraging fresh dialogue about identity, continuity, and change
Distributed Smart Street Lighting: A Case Study on Predictive Control under Heterogeneous Road Traffic
No full textThe reliability of distributed smart streetlight control networks, like the Traffic-Aware Street Lighting Scheme Management Network (TALiSMaN), tends to drop during peak traffic hours. This is caused by heavy data broadcast within the network. As a result, TALiSMaN experiences unexpected network congestion and subsequently increases the packet loss rate. To address this limitation, a predictive control scheme is proposed and integrated into TALiSMaN. This scheme enables TALiSMaN to predict road traffic conditions for real-time adjustments to data broadcasting rates and streetlight brightness levels. The performance of the proposed scheme was simulated and evaluated under two streetlight network topologies: linear and cross-junction. While the proposed scheme reduces packet drop by an average of 0.01%–5.63% and 0.04%–6.28% across two network topologies, the simulation results also demonstrate an improvement in the streetlight usefulness. However, these improvements come with an energy use trade-off. Compared to standard TALiSMaN, the proposed scheme consumed 1.7–12.7 times more energy
Impacts of Oil Spill on Geotechnical Properties of Soil
No full textThe escalation of environmental pollution in the world is attributed to the recent increase in crude oil spills, mainly due to the increase in crude oil production and the activities of individuals involved in crude oil theft. In oil and gas, the likelihood of soil pollution from petroleum products soars as oil exploration, production, and transportation of substantial oil volumes via pipelines across vast distances continue to dilate. Recent findings divulge a plethora of instances of oil spills occurring in various locations, attributed to damage within the infrastructure of the oil industry. These spills have resulted in soil contamination, giving rise to significant environmental risks and degradation of both the soil and its engineering characteristics. Herein we explore the changes in geotechnical properties of soil resulting from oil contamination. Beyond understanding the detrimental effects, the chapter explores numerous treatment methodologies, both established and emerging, offering a roadmap for restoring the geotechnical integrity of oil-contaminated soil. The advantages of employing geotechnical approaches, including sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and long-term efficacy, are highlighted, looking ahead, we identify key areas emphasizing the need for long-term monitoring, exploration of emerging contaminants and technologies like nanotechnology, for the development of scalable and cost-effective solutions
The Impact of Health Crisis on Nurses’ Lives: A Qualitative Exploration Using Van Manen’s Lifeworld
No full textNurse wellbeing is essential for sustaining effective healthcare, especially during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study used interpretive phenomenology to explore nurses’ lived
experiences and perceptions of the pandemic’s impact on their professional and personal lives. Ten nurses from
Sarawak General Hospital participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
From the findings, three key themes emerged: Adapting to Workplace Challenges, Strengthening Camaraderie in
the Healthcare Environment, and Upholding Commitment and Professionalism. Nurses faced significant
psychological strain due to role ambiguity and rapidly changing protocols, alongside physical exhaustion from
extended shifts and personal protective equipment (PPE) demands. Collegial solidarity, family support, and
empathetic leadership were crucial protective factors enhancing resilience. Intrinsic motivation grounded in
cultural and spiritual values sustained nurses’ dedication despite systemic challenges such as hierarchical
discrimination and unequal workload distribution. The findings were interpreted through Van Manen’s four
lifeworld existentials: lived body, lived time, lived space, and lived other, providing a comprehensive
understanding of the pandemic’s complex impact on nurses’ lived realities. In conclusion, the nurses in this study
demonstrated resilience through adaptability, strong collegial bonds, and a profound sense of duty amid adversity.
The study underscores the urgent need for organizational support via clear communication, flexible yet
standardized protocols, ongoing training, equitable policies, and supportive leadership. Enhancing mental health
resources and utilizing technology to maintain social connectivity are also essential. A holistic approach is critical to supporting nurses’ multidimensional wellbeing, thereby ensuring workforce sustainability and healthcare
system resilience during current and future health emergencies
Human Capital Development and its Impact on Environmental Sustainability in OIC Nations: A Panel Data Approach
No full textEducation plays a vital role in reducing a country's carbon dioxide emissions and other environmental problems by fostering a sense of social responsibility. However, in some developing countries, increasing education levels may lead to a slight rise in carbon emissions due to greater economic expansion and productivity. Twenty countries from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) were studied to determine the impact of human capital on carbon dioxide emissions between 1990 and 2019. The study was conducted using a panel static approach. The findings reveal a significantly positive correlation between CO2 emissions, gross domestic product, and trade openness. At the same time, education, foreign direct investment, and the interaction between the country dummy and year of schooling are negatively related to CO2 emissions in OIC countries. Policymakers can leverage these results to devise strategies that incorporate environmental education to reduce CO2 emissions. As carbon taxes and renewable energy subsidies are two policy changes that aim to reduce CO2 emissions, educating more people about them can help these policies to be better understood. Supporting these adjustments will help persuade governments and businesses to combat climate chang