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Effect of Sevoflurane Concentration, Blood Pressure, Arterial Carbon Dioxide Tension, Temperature, and Stimulation on Spinal Cord Blood Flow in Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery: An Exploratory Study
No full textAssessing Attitudes, Knowledges and Practices Towards Food Poisoning Among Food Handlers and Students in Sarawak
No full textFoodborne diseases are responsible for millions of deaths
globally. Key factors contributing to these illnesses, as well as the high incidence of food poisoning among students,
include improper methods of food preparation, unhealthy
lifestyles, poor sanitation, and unsafe water resources.
Moreover, the combination of food handlers mismanaging
food and the students' and handlers' insufficient
knowledge of food hygiene significantly exacerbates the
food poisoning risk in school environments. The current
study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and
behaviours regarding food hygiene among food handlers
and students. The research method adopted in this study
was the quantitative method to answer the research
questions. This study utilised a non-probability sampling
method, specifically quota sampling, after evaluating
various sampling techniques. This study presented findings
on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAPs) of both
students and food handlers concerning hygiene awareness
and safe food handling. The food handlers demonstrated
poor personal hygiene practices, including improper
handwashing technique and a lack of knowledge about the
correct steps needed for effective handwashing. In
addition, the food safety influenced by the canteen
environment was statistically significant, whereas there
was a difference in knowledge between male and female
food handlers. Furthermore, the student’s knowledge was
low regarding the towel used to wipe the hands could also
be used to wipe the plate. The research might provide
valuable insights and promote behavioural changes that
could inform national health policy revisions, particularly
in the area of food safety and regulations for preventing
food poisoning
Optimising Wind Energy Capture: An IoT-Based Approach to Height Adjustment in Roadside Wind Turbines
No full textThis study aims to develop an Internet of Things (IoT)-based Automated Height Adjusting Roadside Wind Turbine to enhance the efficiency of wind energy capture. The primary research objective is to investigate the relationship between varying wind speeds and the optimal height settings for roadside wind turbines. The study employs a scaled-down version of a roadside wind turbine, simulating real-world conditions to gather real-time data on wind speed, turbine height, and power generation. Through iterative testing and data analysis, the project evaluates the performance of the wind turbine at different height adjustments in response to fluctuating wind conditions. Preliminary results indicate a significant correlation between wind speed and the optimal height settings for maximising energy capture. The data collected from the scaled-down turbine provides insights that can be extrapolated to predict the performance of full-scale roadside wind turbines, suggesting a potential framework for future implementations. This research contributes to the field of renewable energy by integrating IoT technology with wind turbine design, offering a novel approach to optimise energy capture in roadside applications. The findings have implications for the development of more efficient wind energy solutions, paving the way for enhanced sustainability in urban environments
CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF PAYMENT DELAYS, UNDER-PAYMENTS AND NON-PAYMENTS ENCUMBERING ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY PRACTICES IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
No full textEngineering Consultancy Practice (ECP) plays a crucial role in Malaysia's construction industry, supporting the nation development and progress. Engineering consultants through their professional practices provide essential technical services and expert advice to clients throughout construction projects. In Malaysia, consultants are typically reimbursed based on the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) Scale of Fees, which serves as the primary revenue source sustaining ECP operations. However, despite the adherence to BEM's Scale of Fees, engineering consultants in Malaysia continuously encounter payment issues, namely payment delays, under-payment and even non-payment, posing a concerning scenario within the nation's construction industry. To determine the extent and significance of payment issues affecting engineering
consultants, this study employed a structured questionnaires survey targeting engineering consultants in Malaysia. A total of 174 responses were collected through online questionnaires, telephone interviews, face-to-face engagement and email correspondence. The findings show that late payment, underpayment and non-payment are prevalent across government, GLC and private projects, with the private sector recording the greatest incidence, delays averaging one to three months, and typical payment deficits of 10–30%. The study contributes empirical benchmarks that support more effective contractual, regulatory and payment management frameworks to strengthen financial sustainability within engineering consultancy practice
FROM LOCAL AGENDA 21 TO SDG LOCALISATION: A PATHWAY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MIRI
No full textLocal Agenda 21 (LA21) was introduced in Malaysia in 2000 with four local authorities including Majlis Bandaraya Miri (MBM) selected as pioneers for its implementation. The purpose is to establish partnerships between local authorities and the community inachieving sustainable development. This initiative continues with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Few studies have examined the contribution of LA21 implementation by local authorities in Malaysia to enhancing their capacity to implement the SDGs in their respective localities. Lack of financial and institutional capacity, along with communities' limited awareness, potentially dampened the transition process between the two agendas. This research addresses the question "To what extent does the implementation of the LA21 contribute to the localisation of the SDGs by MBM?" A case study approach was employed, utilising reports and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, namely public officers, councillors, and academicians. Findings show that MBM's LA21 initiatives, such as solid waste reduction and pollution control, have laid the foundation for localising the SDGs. However, challenges such as financial constraints and a lack of political support hindered the full realisation of these agendas. The research concludes that while LA21 provides a platform for community participation, stronger integration of community involvement and institutional support is necessary to fully localise the SDGs in Miri
Enhancing English Proficiency in Non-Native Speaking Children Through Design Thinking-Driven Game-Based Learning App
Get PDFThis paper describes the interaction between the design thinking process and design sprint activities in developing a game-based learning (GBL) app for teaching English to non-native speaking children in a Borneoan state of Malaysia. The research gap in GBL app development lies in the absence of a structured framework for integrating children's preferences and attitudes towards the subject into the app design. While design thinking presents an iterative, human-centred strategy for comprehending learning challenges among non-native speakers, its application in GBL tool development is inadequately explored. The study's objective is to investigate the potential of design thinking in fostering a fun and educational game app for improving vocabulary acquisition. Collaborating with a rural school, design thinking activities were performed to capture requirements and refine game features. Interviews, observations, artifact analysis, and surveys facilitated personalized user input. Pre- and post-tests gauged the tool's impact, with data collected during the design stages, assessing usability, user satisfaction, and involvement. The study's outcome is projected to illuminate design thinking's efficacy in shaping GBL tools and extracting user requisites, contributing to educational technology by highlighting its constructive role in creating engaging learning solutions
Brief Documentation of Land and Water Ecosystem in Kubah and Santubong National Parks, Sarawak
Get PDFKubah and Santubong National Parks are among Sarawak’s heritage ecological treasures, featuring diverse land and water ecosystems that are vital to state and national biodiversity. The conservation and preservation of these parks is crucial for maintaining the sustainability of the environment and ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit from their natural beauty and resources. The parks are significant natural reserves, exhibiting unique landscapes including lush tropical rainforests and aquatic environments. Kubah National Park ecosystem includes dipterocarp trees, ferns, fungi, and detritivores, and insects; meanwhile, Santubong National Park ecosystem includes mountainous terrain, dipterocarp trees, invertebrates, and ferns. Thus, to effectively comprehend and promote conservation and preservation efforts, we have to experience biodiversity and ecology and impart to differentiate different components of the ecosystem. Therefore, a field work was conducted to experience the biodiversity and ecology of discerned organisms in various ecosystems in Kubah and Santubong National Park. The input was analysed and described selected ecosystems, plants, and animals and referred to previous scientific reports from various resources. Experiences with biodiversity and ecology are vital for future development, especially in the realms of academics, research, development, and lifelong learning, all contributing to a sustainable future
Predictors of acupuncture referral for chronic non-specific low back pain among medical practitioners in Malaysia
Get PDFIntroduction: Chronic non-specific low back pain (cnLBP) is
a common primary care health issue. While acupuncture
offers promising potential as a complementary treatment, its
acceptance and integration into standard medical care for
cnLBP remains inconsistent. This study investigated the
predictors of acupuncture referral for cnLBP using the
Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)
Modelling Temperature Profles in Food Waste Composting: Monod Kinetics Under Varied Aeration Conditions
Get PDFComposting has become a widely adopted alternative to landflling for food waste management, ofering signifcant environmental benefts by reducing waste and mitigating climate change. This study focuses on enhancing the efciency of food waste composting by applying mathematical modelling to better understand the underlying biological and physiochemical mechanisms. First-order and Monod-type kinetic were incorporated to predict temperature variations in food waste composting under diferent aeration conditions. These models were solved and validated against experimental data to assess their predictive accuracy. In the composting process involved intermittent aeration, the modelled temperature profles showed good agreement with experimental data, with mean temperature diferences of 1.99 °C for the frst-order and 2.16 °C for the Monod-type kinetic. Monod-type kinetic provided more consistent predictions, achieving a lower relative root mean square error (rRMSE) of 8.03%, while the frst-order model exhibited larger temperature fuctuation. Notably, experimental data indicated a second peak in temperature on the seventh day, likely due to delayed microbial activity, a trend not fully captured by either model. In the composting process with continuous aeration, the Monod-type kinetic demonstrated better predictive performance at higher aeration rates, with an rRMSE of 10.82%. However, both models struggled to accurately predict complex temperature fuctuations at lower aeration rates. The results suggest that Monod-type kinetic provides superior prediction accuracy due to its ability to account for the interactions between multiple substrates and microorganisms. This study highlights the value of mathematical modelling in understanding and optimizing food waste composting processes. The fndings ofer practical insights for improving composting efciency and operational management, ultimately contributing to reduced environmental impacts from food waste