39506 research outputs found
Sort by
GUARDIANS OR CARRIERS? : What Bats and Rodents Reveal About Emerging Diseases
No full textSmall mammals are recognised as reservoirs for
zoonotic diseases, many of which can be
transmitted to humans. Factors such as
urbanisation, deforestation and climate change
further intensify the spread of these diseases by
altering habitats, influencing animal behaviour
and expanding the geographical range of certain
pathogens. Even relatively undisturbed forests
can harbour novel or previously uncharacterised
bacteria within their small mammal populations.
Among these, bats and rodents are of interest
due to their frequent associations with zoonotic
pathogens
Bioethanol Production from Hydrolysate of Sago Starch Processing Effluent via Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation
No full textThe extraction of sago starch generates substantial volumes of starch-rich wastewater, making the hydrolysate
a potential substrate for bioethanol production. In this study, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation
(SSF), using amylase and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was conducted on sago effluent hydrolysate (SEH) to
produce bioethanol. A commercial starch broth was used as the control to evaluate the efficacy of SEH as an
alternative substrate. Both SEH and control exhibited comparable carbohydrate consumption profiles, with 91.70
% of total carbohydrates utilized from SEH, compared to 96.80 % in commercial starch. Ethanol production from
SEH peaked at 8.39 g/l (78.02 % Theoretical Ethanol Yield, TEY) within 12 h, in comparison to 8.88 g/l, or 82.57
% TEY, for the commercial starch. However, statistical analyses confirmed that there was no significant
difference between the ethanol yields of SEH and the commercial starch broth at the end of the fermentation
period. These findings suggest that SEH is a viable and sustainable alternative feedstock for bioethanol
production
A Modular Intelligent Control Framework for Scalable Biohydrogen Production in Microbial Electrolysis Cells
No full textThe global energy transition requires technologies that can be scaled rapidly to decarbonise both power and chemical production. Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) convert wastewater into renewable hydrogen; however, their commercial adoption is hindered by highly nonlinear dynamics, complex microbial interactions, and inadequate process control. This review traces the evolution of five control paradigms, including voltage/proportional-integral-derivative (PID), model-based, adaptive, fuzzy logic, and artificial-intelligence (AI) systems, as well as hybrid intelligent controllers, and benchmarks each against scalability, dynamic responsiveness, and energy-recovery performance. Recent hybrid approaches that embed AI learners within mechanistic-based models and real-time feedback loops show the greatest gains in predictive accuracy and
robustness. To translate these advances beyond laboratory volumes, a modular design framework is introduced
that (i) separates sensing, decision-making, and actuation into plug-and-play units; (ii) supports incremental
scale-up from bench reactors to pilot-scale stacks without re-engineering the core algorithms; and (iii) leverages
distributed edge-computing hardware to execute computationally intensive tasks close to the reactor, reducing latency and cloud-dependence. By directly targeting the bottlenecks of controller portability, computational load, and integration with industrial supervisory systems, this framework provides a practical roadmap for deploying
intelligent MEC control across large-scale wastewater-to-hydrogen facilities
Urbanization and aging in ASEAN: A comparative demographic analysis from 1970 to 2023
No full textUrbanization is a major driver of global demographic shifts, particularly affecting Southeast Asian aging trends. This study investigates the relationship between urbanization and the aging population across ASEAN countries and selected other nations, focusing on data from 1970 to 2023. Using cross-sectional comparative analysis and multiple linear regression, the study examines key demographic indicators, including urbanization rates, elderly population
proportions, fertility rates, and life expectancy. Addressing a notable research gap in the ASEAN
context, the findings reveal a strong positive association between increased urbanization and aging demographics, particularly in rapidly developing countries like Singapore and Thailand. Conversely, countries with lower urbanization rates exhibit slower aging trends. The results underscore how urbanization, fertility decline, and healthcare improvements interact to shape of demographic aging. The study concludes that ASEAN countries are undergoing a dynamic demographic transition, with implications for urban planning, healthcare policy, and social support
systems. These insights contribute to understanding the complex interplay between urban development and aging and emphasize the urgency for region-specific policy interventions to manage future demographic challenges
THE IMPACT OF AGE-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENTS ON THE WELLBEING OF OLDER ADULTS: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM SARAWAK
No full textAgeing significantly affects the psychosocial well-being of older adults, with growing evidence emphasizing the influence of environmental factors on their psychological and social health. Sarawak, which has the second-highest proportion of older adults in Malaysia, has not previously been studied in relation to the connection between age-friendly environments (AFEs) and psychosocial well-being. This study aimed to examine the association between AFEs and the psychosocial well-being of older adults in Sarawak. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1,077 respondents aged 60 years and above. AFEs were evaluated using a perception-based measure covering eight domains: housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, community support and health services, outdoor spaces and buildings, and transportation. Psychosocial well-being was assessed across social and psychological domains. Robust regression analysis was used to determine the associations between AFE indicators and psychosocial well-being indicators. The findings revealed positive relationships between most AFE indicators and psychosocial well-being, suggesting that favorable perceptions of age-friendly environments correspond with improved psychosocial outcomes among older adults. Of the eight domains analyzed, six were statistically significant predictors of psychosocial well-being: housing (estimate = 0.54, SE = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.40, 0.67), social participation (estimate = 0.14, SE = 0.05, 95% CI = 0.05, 0.24), respect and social inclusion (estimate = 0.22, SE = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.10, 0.34), civic participation and employment (estimate = 0.69, SE = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.55, 0.85), communication and information (estimate = -0.19, SE = 0.06, 95% CI = -0.31, -0.07), and transportation (estimate = 0.17, SE = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.11, 0.24). Conversely, community support and health services (estimate = -0.03, SE = 0.04, 95% CI = -0.10, 0.05) and outdoor spaces and buildings (estimate = -0.01, SE = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.11, 0.24) were not significant predictors. This study provides empirical evidence linking the domains of AFEs to the psychosocial well-being of older adults in Sarawak. The results highlight the critical importance of age-friendly environmental factors in fostering better wellbeing among the ageing population. Understanding these associations is crucial for designing policies and interventions that promote supportive environments for older adults
Peranan Kerajaan Dalam Pembangunan Pendidikan Komuniti Orang Asli
No full textBuku ini menyediakan penerokaan mendalam terhadap isu kelestarian dalam alam sekitar, sosial dan ekonomi yang dihadapi oleh komuniti Orang Asli di Malaysia,. Berdasarkan penyelidikan primer dan analisis kritikal, buku ini membincangkan isu-isu penting seperti hak tanah, pemuliharaan alam sekitar, pendidikan dan budaya dan pemeliharaan pengetahuan tradisional. Setiap bab mengupas kajian kes dunia sebenar dan kerangka konseptual, memberikan gambaran yang mendalam tentang bagaimana komuniti Orang Asli menyesuaikan diri dengan tekanan pembangunan dan kelestarian semasa. Melalui sumbangan daripada sarjana dan pengamal yang berpengalaman, buku ini menawarkan perspektif unik terhadap landskap komuniti Orang Asli di Malaysia, menonjolkan ketahanan dan kebolehsuaian mereka serta mengetengahkar aspek-aspek yang memerlukan penambahbaikan dasar. la merupakan sumber rujukan penting bagi para penyelidik, pembuat dasar, dan sesiapa sahaja yang berminat dalam pemnbangunan lestari, hak Orang Asli dan integrasi pengetahuan ekologi tradisional dalam pengurusan alam sekitar moden
Design of an Intelligent Military Recruitment Support System Based on Certainty Factor and Forward Chaining Inference
No full textMilitary recruitment demands careful evaluation
across multiple dimensions, including administrative eligibility, physical fitness, cognitive ability, and psychological readiness. This paper presents the development of an intelligent decision support system (DSS) designed to assist and enhance recruitment decisions in the military sector. Leveraging a rule-based expert system, the DSS applies the Certainty Factor (CF) model to manage uncertainty and combines it with a Forward Chaining
inference mechanism for explainable reasoning. The system was built with guidance from military domain experts and tested through simulations using 20 candidate profiles. Results indicate strong alignment with human expert judgment, achieving 87% accuracy and delivering transparent recommendations based on structured rules and confidence scores. Unlike conventional black-box models, the DSS offers full traceability for each decision made, ensuring accountability and consistency-qualities essential in defense-related processes. Beyond its current capabilities, the system is designed to be scalable and adaptable.
It can accommodate evolving recruitment policies and integrate additional evaluation criteria, such as biometric data. Although current CF weights rely on expert input, future development may involve dynamic rule optimization through machine learning or feedback mechanisms. In conclusion, the proposed DSS serves as a practical and explainable tool that bridges expert knowledge with intelligent automation. It offers a forward-looking approach
to improving fairness, efficiency, and transparency in military recruitment processes
THE MINDSET-6 FRAMEWORK: A CURRICULUM BLUEPRINT FOR CULTIVATING INDUSTRY 6.0-READY ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSETS IN MALAYSIAN UNDERGRADUATES
No full textMalaysia continues to grapple with a persistent misalignment between graduate capabilities and the rapidly evolving demands of the workforce, particularly in entrepreneurial readiness and digital adaptability. Although the Ministry of Higher Education reports graduate employability rates above 80%, many employers remain concerned about graduates’ limited creativity, risk appetite, and technological fluency. This paradox reveals a deeper structural issue: higher education institutions are producing academically competent yet entrepreneurially hesitant graduates. This critical review synthesizes empirical and conceptual studies published between 2019 and 2025 to identify key enablers, pedagogical innovations, and policy implications for cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among Malaysian undergraduates. Findings suggest that attitude, perceived behavioural control, and ecosystem support are dominant predictors of entrepreneurial intention, while experiential, digital, and sustainability-oriented pedagogies strengthen mindset development. However, significant gaps persist, particularly in translating entrepreneurial intention into behaviour, integrating AI and data literacy, and embedding sustainability ethics into curricula. To address these limitations, this paper introduces the MINDSET-6 Framework, a curriculum blueprint encompassing Mindfulness and Ethics, Interdisciplinary AI and Data, Networked Learning, Design and Making, Sustainability, Entrepreneurial Finance, and Transversal 4Cs competencies. The framework positions entrepreneurship education not as a business module but as a transformative, human-centred process aligned with Malaysia’s transition toward a sustainable and digital Industry 6.0 economy
Operational and economic design of multi-terminal medium DC voltage hybrid renewable energy systems for effective power sharing
No full textThe advancement of multi-terminal medium-voltage direct current (MVDC) technology is accelerating the transition of DC distribution from point-to-point connections to renewable integrated systems. However, the integration of remote renewable sources introduces challenges in control and economic optimization, particularly for voltage-source converter (VSC)-based designs. Therefore, this paper proposes a multi-terminal MVDC architecture for hybrid renewable energy systems with three primary objectives: to develop an effective power-sharing control using a modular multilevel converter-based topology, to assess the economic feasibility of hybrid configurations under varying load and weather conditions, and to implement real-time monitoring through an Internet of Things-based cloud platform. The scope of this paper encompasses the development and validation of decentralized droop control for reliable power sharing, techno-economic analysis using the hybrid optimization of multiple energy resources (HOMER) for cost and energy optimization, real-time system monitoring through ThingSpeak, and MATLAB-based Internet of Things (IoT) integration. Additionally, it includes transient fault simulations to evaluate voltage stability and system resilience. A generalized framework that combines decentralized droop control and economic optimization is established for system sizing and operational reliability assessment. Simulation results indicate that the proposed system maintains DC voltage deviations within 3 % under steady-state conditions, 3.1 % following AC three-phase faults, and as low as 2.2 % after DC pole-to-pole short-circuit events. The unmet load percentage was extremely low (0.0165 %), while excess energy remained manageable (up to 8 %). The system achieves a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.4114 $/kWh and a renewable energy share of up to 44 %. These results demonstrate that the proposed MVDC configuration is technically robust, cost-effective, and IoT-enabled, making it well-suited for renewable energy integration in Sarawak, Malaysia