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Exploration of the Challenges in Adopting Smart Farming among Smallholder Farmers : A Qualitative Study
No full textThe impact of climate change on global agriculture has increased the need for sustainable and resource-efficient farming practices to ensure food security. Smart farming, which incorporates the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), allows farmers to monitor changes in climatic factors and soil conditions, optimize farming operations and increase crop yields. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the adoption of smart farming among smallholders in Peninsular Malaysia. Twelve participants were recruited using the snowball sampling method and thematic analysis was used to identify patterns and themes in the qualitative data obtained from interviews. The analysis revealed that participants desired to use smart farming technologies due to the lack of foreign labour, cost savings, time flexibility, awareness and education campaigns and government support. Utilizing smart farming technologies can result in cost savings through efficient use of inputs, reduction of waste and automation of tedious tasks. The use of solar energy can provide a dependable and affordable energy source to increase sustainability, while precision planting and seeding techniques can improve the efficient use of resources. The government's provision of information and funding has helped participants establish smart farming in their farms, with some receiving grants and collaborating with universities to develop new technologies. Overall, smart farming technologies can help farmers manage their crops and resources more effectively, increase yields and optimize farm operation
Effects of different levels of cave bats guano on chilli plant growth
Get PDFChilli plants (Capsicum annuum) from the Solanaceae family are among the most widely cultivated crops globally. However, chilli plants are susceptible to numerous threat that can limit production, including pests, diseases, and environmental stressors that cause flower and fruit drop. Fertilization is critical for optimizing chilli yields, with studies showing that the application of fertilisers can substantially improve plant growth and yield. Bat guano, a highly nutrient-dense organic fertiliser rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, carbon, and beneficial microbes, has been used for centuries to improve crop growth in various countries. The present study investigates the effects of cave bat guano on several growth parameters in chilli plants, including plant height, leaf count, flower production, and fruit yield. For this study, guano was collected from Wind Cave Nature Reserve and Raya Cave in Sarawak. The experiment involved treating 81 chilli plants with three different guano levels (2.5 g, 5.0 g, and 7.5 g), along with a control group that received no treatment. Plant height, leaf count, and counts of flower buds, flowers, and fruits were measured monthly. Bat guano, especially at a rate of 7.5g per plant, was found to substantially improve chilli plant growth, flowering, and fruiting. The control group, by contrast, exhibited stunted growth, underscoring the importance of nutrient supplementation in achieving optimal growth. These findings are in line with prior research on guano applications, establishing it as a valuable organic fertiliser with the potential to boost agricultural productivity in Malaysia
Development and Validation of EFL Speaking Strategy, Speaking Anxiety, Learning Motivation, and Learning Attitude Questionnaires
Get PDFEffectively assessing the speaking performance of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students remains a major challenge for language educators, particularly in the context of Chinese universities. Speaking strategy use, speaking anxiety, learning motivation, and learning attitude are four critical constructs that significantly influence EFL learners’ speaking proficiency. While previous studies have examined these factors individually or in limited combinations, few have focused on developing a comprehensive tool that measures them collectively within the Chinese EFL context. Therefore, this pilot study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire, designed to assess speaking strategies, speaking anxiety, learning motivation, and learning attitudes among Chinese EFL students, which consist of 45, 30, 22 and 49-items scale for each respectively. The purpose of this pilot test was to ensure the reliability and validity of the instrument before it is used in a larger-scale study. The questionnaire was assessed by surveying on 60 participants selected from 1st and 2nd year non-English major undergraduate students at a university in China, with a sample of 27 males and 33 females, along with 34 freshmen and 26 sophomores. A five-phase approach was followed: item development based on literature review, definition of constructs, expert validation by two applied linguistics scholars, and a pilot administration involving 60 first- and second-year Chinese university students. The results showed strong content validity and high internal consistency, with a reliability value of 0.787 for speaking strategies, 0.674 for speaking anxiety, 0.775 for learning motivation, and 0.796 for learning attitudes, making the questionnaire highly reliable and valid tool for future research. This study offers a valuable instrument for educators and researchers to investigate the interconnected roles of these key psychological and behavioral factors in EFL speaking development, particularly within the Chinese academic context
Cellulose based hydrogel as soil conditioner and seed germination medium
No full textTo address the research gap concerning the effects of different plasticisers on the properties of cellulose hydrogel, this study investigated the impact of various gelling agents, including sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC), alginate (AA), glycerol, and polyethylene glycol (PEG), on cellulose based hydrogels. Among these plasticisers, hydrogels containing 1.75% (wt/wt) NaCMC, 1.0% (wt/wt) glycerol, and 0.5% (wt/wt) PEG exhibited excellent water uptake and retention capacities, absorbing over 2600% of water and retaining at least 10% of that water over a 96-h period. These cellulose hydrogels also improved the soil moisture content, pH, and electrical conductivity across four different soil types (sand, topsoil, gley soil, and clayey soil) over a 15-day period. Additionally, the hydrogels were assessed as seed germination media for Choy Sum vegetable seeds. The study demonstrated that glycerol-plasticized cellulose hydrogel significantly enhanced seed germination, even without an external water supply, due to its superior water retention properties. Biodegradability tests revealed that all hydrogels lost over 80% of their weight after 60 days in loamy soil, confirming their
biodegradability
Personal Interest VS General Interest : A Barrier To Conflict Resolution In The Niger Delta Crisis
No full textThe Niger Delta conflict is a complex issue characterized by competing interests and stakeholder dynamics. Through the lens of social exchange and conflict theory, this study examines how personal interests can lead to conflict and hider conflict resolution efforts. The research highlights how stakeholders in the Niger Delta region crisis engage in exchanges that prioritize personal benefits over collective well-being, resulting in a lack of trust and cooperation, Conflict theory also employed to analyse the underlying power dynamics and resource competition that drive the conflict. The findings suggest that addressing these underlying issues and promoting more equitable exchanges can help overcome the barriers to conflict resolution and achieve sustainable peace in the region of Niger Delta and rapid development in Nigeria as a nation
Determining Land Suitability for New Primary Schools in Seremban, Malaysia : An Exploratory Study withtheGIS-MCDAApproach
No full textSchools serve as community cornerstones, offering education and a platform for adult learning, healthcare services, and civic engagement. Recognising this vital role, this study uses a GIS multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach to identify suitable land for a new primary school in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. The MCDA approach assesses various critical criteria for optimal school placement, including population density, land use, school, clinic, land size, and topography or slope. The result shows that most of the land suitable for developing new schools is in the Seremban city centre due to development suitability, particularly the high population density and public facility availability. However, the study's findings also suggest that the location of the newly proposed primary schools should prioritise student accessibility and community integration in Nilai and Senawang. Ultimately, the identified land will contribute to a strong sense of community spirit and enhance the overall well-being of the area, providing valuable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and educator
Application of WhatsApp as an Alternative Online Distance Learning Platform in Learning Mandarin as a Foreign Language
No full textOnline Distance Learning (ODL) plays a crucial role in higher education. Online learning tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet have gained significant popularity in higher education due to their robust features designed for teaching, collaboration, and managing virtual classrooms. Nonetheless, ongoing issues like poor campus connectivity and constant disconnections continue to pose challenges. Regarding this matter, Mandarin as a foreign
language (MFL) instructors at Universiti Teknologi MARA Penang branch (UiTMCPP) took the initiative to adopt mobile learning (m-learning) using WhatsApp as a viable alternative. It is believed that WhatsApp’s ease of access
and stability can help overcome connectivity issues, leading to a more reliable ODL experience. Hence, this study aimed to investigate MFL students’ experiences, concerns, and perceptions regarding the use of WhatsApp as an
alternative ODL platform in learning Mandarin. Interviews were conducted with 20 Degree and Diploma students, and the findings informed the development of a survey distributed to 250 (185 answered) Degree and Diploma students at
UiTMCPP, who are taking MFL courses. Results show that WhatsApp is ideal for low internet speeds and high user coverage, cost saving, and user-friendly.
However, the suitability of WhatsApp for conducting evaluations requires further investigation within the given context. There are also several concerns need to be considered such as prone to distractions and demands careful early lesson planning. This study highlights the implication of using WhatsApp as an alternative tool for MFL ODL while emphasising that success relies on active collaboration between students and instructors beyond platform choice
Comprehensive Structured Analysis of Machine Learning in Safety Models
No full textMachine learning (ML) integration into various industries has revolutionized operations recently, enhancing efficiency and predictive capabilities. However, the rapid adoption of ML models also presents significant safety concerns that are highly demanded. To achieve this, scholarly articles from reputable databases such as Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) focus on studies published between 2022 and 2024, which were extensively searched. The study's flow is based on the PRISMA framework. The database found (n=40) that the final primary data was analyzed. The findings were divided into three themes: i) safety and risk management, ii) ML and artificial intelligence (AI) applications in safety, and iii) smart technology for safety. The conclusion highlights the need for continuous monitoring and updating of the safety protocols to keep in step with the growing ML landscape. This review contributes to the understanding of ML safety. It offers global lessons that can guide future research and policy-making efforts to ensure ML technologies' safe and ethical use
Yemen’s Inflation Asymmetric Response to Oil Price Shocks
No full textLike other oil-reliant economies, Yemen's economy is vulnerable to oil price shocks. This study examines the asymmetric responses of Yemen's inflation rate to oil price shocks starting right after unification in 1991 to 2022. To this end, the Nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag
(NARDL) and Augmented ARDL applied to NARDL rather than ARDL (bootstrap NARDL) are used for the analysis. Overall findings found that negative oil price shocks following oil price decline have a bigger impact on inflation compared to positive ones resulting from rising oil prices. Moreover, the Augmented NARDL results found that inflation and oil price shocks have an asymmetric cointegration. The results of NARDL indicate that the inflation rate (INFY)
exhibits short-term asymmetric impact in response to negative shocks only but is insignificant yet positive to both shocks in the long term. The study suggests that Existing strategies, such as expanding the money supply, have proven unsuccessful, exacerbating inflation and encouraging illicit economic activities. The government is advised to implement strict monetary regulations through the Central Bank of Yemen, including tightening monetary policy to bring stability to currency markets and reduce inflation. Proper implementation and supervision of these measures are crucial for achieving economic stability
Breast Cancer Screening in Sarawak, Borneo: 10 Years’ Community Outreach Program
No full textAbstract
Background:
Sarawak, largest state in Malaysia with 2.9 million population with 45% living more than 100km from urban cities. These communities face the risk of delayed breast cancer diagnosis due to limited access to healthcare services. Sarawak has only four government hospitals with diagnostic mammogram facilities.
Objective:
Sarawak Breast Cancer Support Group (SBCSG) has spearheaded breast cancer education and early screening outreach since 2012, with a special focus on rural communities. This paper describes the results from our 10-year program.
Methods:
These programs were organized or co-organized by SBCSG from 2013 to 2023, involving local organizers and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH). Women aged 18 years and above were invited to participate in the clinical breast examination (CBE) and those with abnormal findings were referred to the nearest clinic or hospital for further management.
Results:
We screened 2050 women with 7.1% exhibiting abnormal breast findings. Urban screening sites reported higher abnormal findings in [9%(85/949) vs. 5%(61/1101); p=0.003] Malay demonstrated the highest percentage of abnormal breast findings (9.5%, 28/296). Women with fewer than 3 children were more likely to exhibit abnormal findings [8.3% (85/1021) vs. 5.9% (61/1029); p=0.003]. Subjects screened at urban sites and between age 30-59 were 1.6 and 2.3 times more likely to exhibit abnormal findings, respectively.
Conclusion:
Screening site was the strongest independent variable for detecting breast abnormality, which could be linked to reproductive health, as women in rural areas tend to have more children, a trend that can be attributed to socioeconomic and cultural norms