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Mechanical Properties of Durian/Luffa Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite
No full textAbstract:
This research explores the development of advanced materials known as natural fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites with the aim of enhancing overall quality of life. Hybrid fibers derived from durian/luffa fibers were integrated into Polyethylene (PE) matrices to fabricate hybrid natural fiber PE composites. The study involves a comprehensive examination of these composites through tensile testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis. Results indicate that the tensile strength of the durian/luffa PE (DLPE) composite surpasses that of neat PE laminates, highlighting its superior stress tolerance. Overall, the composites exhibit specific tensile strength and modulus, contributing to the creation of lightweight materials compared to neat PE. SEM analysis indicates satisfactory fiber-to-matrix bonding with room for improvement, as observed gaps between fibers and matrix are present. FTIR analysis uncovers constituents in the chemical composition of durian and luffa fibers. The inclusion of natural fibers as an alternative to synthetic counterparts aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) standards. This research underscores the feasibility and benefits of fiber hybridization, emphasizing improved mechanical strength, environmental sustainability, and cost efficiency
The Moderating Role of Country Risks on the Relationship between the Success of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Projects under the Belt and Road Initiative and Its Determinants
Get PDFThis study examines the factors influencing the success of Public–Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects in countries along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Using the World Bank’s Private Participation in Infrastructure (PPI) database, this study analyses the state of infrastructure in BRI countries from 1993 to 2023. Although several projects are in the “action” stage, a significant number of PPP infrastructure projects are either “cancelled” or “distressed”, indicating project failures. Therefore, examining the factors that influence the success of PPP infrastructure projects is crucial. The research objectives of this study are to explore the relationship between factors such as country risk and macro factors that influence the success of PPP projects. This study investigates the factors influencing the success of Chinese enterprises investing in PPP infrastructure projects in BRI countries, contributing theoretical value to the literature and practical value in providing decision support to enterprises. Taking country risk as the moderating variable and macro factors as control variables, the study demonstrates the relationship between the success of PPP infrastructure projects and project profile factors. The theories adopted in this research include public goods theory, institutional theory, cooperative game theory, and risk management theory. The analysis method was based on logistic regression analysis conducted using Econometrics software. Data on the success and failure of PPP projects, country risk, GDP, country openness and private sector development were obtained from the World Bank’s PPI database and the World Bank’s World Development Indicators (WDI) database, cross-referenced with the International Country Risk Guide (ICRG). The study conducted correlation analysis, heterogeneity analysis and diagnostic tests, with results indicating acceptable variables and reasonable model selection. The logistic regression analysis indicates that the notion of project profile factors significantly affecting project success was partially accepted. For instance, multilateral country support has increased Log-odds of project success, while investment scale has decreased Log-odds of project success. Investment scale’s negative correlation coefficient was reduced when the control variables—national GDP growth rate, support for the private sector, and openness—were added. The study also found that the moderating variables—political risk, economic risk, and financial risk—negatively affected PPP project success, which was accepted. Further, the negative impact of investment scale on project success was weakened based on the moderating effect of country risk. Based on the empirical results, this study provides recommendations for Chinese enterprises. This guidance can help improve the success rate of Chinese enterprises investing in PPP infrastructure projects in BRI countries, promoting joint development along the route
Pink eye outbreak in rural Borneo schools : The panic and the prompt public health response
No full textBACKGROUND: On September 28, 2022, a rural health clinic reported unusual eye symptoms in students from five schools in Sri Aman Sarawak, a rural region of Borneo. The objective of our investigation was to verify the diagnosis, identify the source of infection, conduct active case findings, and implement control and preventive measures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our case definition included eye redness, discharge, or watering in students, staff, or their family members in Sri Aman since early September 2022. Descriptive epidemiology included active case finding and the construction of an epidemic curve. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to investigate the outbreak of conjunctivitis in students and staff in specific schools, allowing for the identification of exposed individuals and calculation of accurate attack rates.
RESULTS: We identified 228 cases of acute conjunctivitis in three boarding schools and four day schools, with an incubation period ranging from 24 to 78 hours. Most of the cases were secondary school students, comprising 56.6% of the total, with a nearly equal gender distribution of 51.3% male and 48.7% female. Bilateral involvement was observed in 61.8% of the cases. The overall attack rate was 8.5%.
CONCLUSION: Good personal hygiene, prompt isolation of unwell students, and efficient event‑based surveillance systems in healthcare facilities are crucial for the prevention of the spread of infectious diseases in schools and the protection of public health through early detection and intervention
Biofouling controls using air bubbles—a review of various applications
No full textBiofouling poses a significant challenge in aquatic, marine, and maritime settings, leading to increased corrosion rates and functional impairments of structures and equipment. Conventional fouling control methods have limitations, prompting the exploration of unconventional approaches to manage biofouling and enhance corrosion resistance. This paper presents a review of employing air bubbles for fouling control in various applications, with a particular focus on marine industries and ecological considerations. By comparing different fouling control techniques, including the use of air bubbles, the paper offers valuable insights into their effectiveness and applicability. Suggestions for future research to develop more efficient techniques for biofouling control using air bubbles are also discussed. This review aims to contribute to the advancement of fouling control strategies and their impact on biofouling characteristics and mitigation efforts
Development of Comprehensive Framework Teaching Approaches and Methods for Group Counselling Laboratory Course in Higher Education Institution
Get PDFThe study was conducted to develop a comprehensive framework of teaching methods and approaches for group counselling
courses. It was carried out in two phases. The objectives of this study were: (i) to identify comprehensive teaching approaches and methods for group counselling courses, and (ii) to develop a structured framework for these teaching approaches and methods. This study utilized a mixed-method research design involving former and current students who had taken the Group Counselling Laboratory course. The results of the needs assessment analysis and group interviews with past students revealed that effective approaches include constructivism (a student-centred approach) and cognitivism (a teacher-centred approach).
Additionally, the effective teaching methods identified for learning group counselling courses include interactive lectures, guided instruction, just-in-time teaching, experiential learning, case-based learning, role plays, and simulations, which are categorized as teacher-centred approaches. For the student-centred approach, the effective methods identified were fieldwork and clinical methods. The impact of these teaching approaches and methods was reflected in student performance, with 11 students obtaining an A, eight earning an A-, five receiving a B, and two earning a B-, out of a total of 26 students. Post-test
feedback from the majority of students described the clarity of objectives, engagement, feedback on tasks, classroom
management, assessment, differentiation of instruction, materials and learning plans, as well as the integration of technology presented in this course. In conclusion, the comprehensive framework of teaching approaches and methods for the Group Counselling course requires the integration of constructivism and cognitivism approaches, alongside teaching methods such as interactive lectures, guided instruction, just-in-time teaching, experiential learning, case-based learning, role plays, simulations, fieldwork, and clinical methods. Future researchers can explore other contexts, such as teaching delivery and course assessment
Enhancing Stock Index Forecasting with LSTM using Volatility-Weighted Input Features
Get PDFToday’s local and global stock markets are confronted with numerous challenges, such as the difficulty in accurately predicting stock prices and extracting useful features. While many researchers have successfully employed long short-term memory (LSTM) models for stock price prediction, there is still room for improvement in enhancing their accuracy, particularly in capturing the impact of market volatility. This paper proposed an LSTM with Average True Range (ATR) weighted input features to address this limitation. By incorporating volatility-weighted features into the LSTM architecture, the model adapts its learning process to reflect the varying impact of market volatility on stock index prices. Specifically, ATR is used to construct input features that better represent volatility, allowing the LSTM to more effectively capture fluctuations in market conditions. Using Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) as dataset, the proposed ATR-LSTM showed accuracy improvement in forecasting stock index prices compared to classic stock price prediction models such as autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), artificial neural network (ANN) and regular LSTM models. The evaluation metrics of mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) are used to validate this model. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating volatility-driven signals in stock index forecasting models
WACANA PENDIDIKAN MASYARAKAT DALAM NOVEL-NOVEL SASTERAWAN NEGARA ERA MILENIUM KETIGA DARI PERSPEKTIF REALISME LUKACS (Community Education Discourse in Novels of National Laureate of the Third Millenium Era from the Perspective of Lukacs’ Realism)
Get PDFThe ongoing development of Malay literature has generated a line of remarkable authors in this country’s
literary endeavors. The National Laureate award serves as an initiative toward establishing more outstanding
authors as well as encouraging the production of quality works that may be taken as a guidance for the
community in addressing today’s challenging daily issues. In keeping with the passage of time, this study
analyses the novels of the third millennium era’s National Laureates, namely the novel Orang Kota Bharu
(2003), Naratif Ogonshoto (2001), Delima Ranting Senja (2009), and Cengkaman Hasrat (2015), in order to
identify thoughts or discourses that are relevant and significant to community education in this country as
presented in their work. The method of content analysis of the novels studied was used in this qualitative study.
The analysis is based on Lukacs’ (1963, 1978, 1898, 1990) realism perspective. Three objectives determined;
to analyse the community education discourse presented in the National Laureates’ novels, to detail the
relationship and impact of the National Laureates’ thoughts on community education, and to present the
strengths, advantages, and significance of the National Laureates’ works on the development of society and the
country. The findings of this study show that the novels studied contain thoughts that are relevant, significant
and have an impact on community education in this country. The findings of this study additionally prove the
strength, benefits, and significance of the National Laureates’ works on the development of society and the
country
A narrative review on the physicochemical profiles, bioactive compounds, and therapeutic potentials of stingless bee honey
Get PDFStingless bee honey (SBH) is an intriguing type of honey produced by various genera of stingless bees. SBH has traditionally been used for its reputed therapeutic properties; yet scientific exploration on this honey remained less widespread compared to other types. This review aims to report recent physiochemical and phytochemical properties of SBH across various species and geographical origins. This review also aims to delve into the therapeutic potential of SBH, with a specific focus on its antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties. By examining various studies on the medicinal attributes of SBH, this paper offers compelling evidence of its efficacy in treating diverse conditions, such as infections, inflammation, and many more. Furthermore, the distinctive composition of SBH was explored in detail, shedding light on its contribution to its remarkable medicinal characteristics. Ultimately, this review underscores the promising therapeutic potential of SBH and advocates further research to comprehensively comprehend its medicinal properties and unlock its potential for various medical applications
Improved Cheating Detection in Examinations using YOLOv8 with Attention Mechanism
No full textExaminations are pivotal in educational and talent-selection processes globally. Ensuring their integrity is critical, but traditional invigilation methods, combining manual oversight with video monitoring, are resource-intensive and not fully effective in detecting cheating. This thesis presents an innovative approach to enhance examination fairness through automated cheating detection using an improved YOLOv8 algorithm integrated with an attention mechanism. The study focuses on developing and implementing a target- detection system capable of identifying student abnormal behaviors indicative of cheating in real-time. This system utilizes the advanced capabilities of the YOLOv8 model, optimized for speed and efficiency, making it suitable for deployment on regular- performance computers. The integration of an attention mechanism allows the system to focus on key visual cues that signify potential dishonesty, thereby improving detection accuracy. An original dataset, representing various cheating methods in paper-based exams, was manually compiled due to the absence of suitable open-source data. This dataset included a wide range of cheating behaviors, enabling comprehensive training and validation of the model. Results demonstrate that the improved YOLOv8 model achieves a detection accuracy of 82.71%, significantly reducing the need for manual video review and labor costs associated with traditional invigilation methods. This high accuracy rate meets the practical application requirements for real-time cheating detection in offline exam venues. This research contributes to the field of educational technology by offering a scalable, accurate, and efficient solution to a prevalent challenge in academic assessment. The successful implementation of this system can revolutionize examination monitoring, ensuring fairness and upholding academic integrity. Future work could extend this model's application to digital or oral examinations and explore its integration with other surveillance technologies. The proposed system's ability to function on standard computer hardware highlights its practical utility, while the incorporation of an attention mechanism ensures precise identification of cheating behavior amidst normal exam conditions. By addressing the limitations of existing invigilation practices, this study paves the way for more reliable and equitable examination environments. Ultimately, the adoption of such advanced technologies could establish new standards in academic integrity, benefiting educational institutions and students alike
Aging in Motion: Mapping the Dynamic Interplay Between Urban Growth and Senior Citizen Density in Sarawak, Malaysia (1980–2020)
No full textThe global rise in aging populations is reshaping urban landscapes, particularly in Southeast Asia. In Malaysia, Sarawak is projected to become an aging state by 2028, but the spatial patterns of senior citizen distribution remain underexplored, especially in the context of long-term urbanization. Despite the growing need for age-inclusive planning, little is known about how urban growth affects senior citizen density in diverse regions like Sarawak, where rapid urbanization coexists with vast rural territories. This knowledge gap limits effective policy responses and urban planning for elder populations. This study employs a mixed-method geospatial approach using decadal census data (1980–2020) and spatial analysis in ArcGIS to map the distribution of individuals aged 65 and above across 40 administrative districts. Built-up area growth was assessed using remote sensing-derived indices to track urban expansion and correlate it with elderly population shifts. Findings reveal a consistent increase in senior citizen density in key urban districts such as Kuching, Sibu and Miri, with patterns reflecting infrastructural availability and socio-ecological influences. Spatial overlays demonstrate that urban peripheries are becoming hotspots for aging populations, driven by proximity to services and improved connectivity. This research provides the first long-term spatial account of aging and urban growth in Sarawak. The results offer critical insights for demographers, urban planners and social policymakers seeking to future-proof cities against aging-related challenges, particularly in Malaysia and similar developing contexts. Given the accelerating pace of demographic aging, we call for data-driven, spatially sensitive urban policies that promote equity, accessibility and social integration for senior citizens in emerging cityscapes