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Exposure to negative LGBT-related media messages as a social determinant of mental health inequities for LGBT+ people in Malaysia
Get PDFcommonplace in Malaysia. This study examines the prevalence
of negative media exposure among LGBT+ people in Malaysia,
the association between negative media exposure and mental
health outcomes, and the role of negative future expectations for societal unacceptance as a mediator of the association.
Method: Drawing data from a cross-sectional survey of
Malaysia-based LGBT+ adults (n=675; mean age = 27.78), we
conducted a series of regression and mediation analyses to
determine whether exposure to negative media messages was
predictive of heightened levels of negative future expectations, depression, non-suicidal self-injury, and suicidality.
Results: More than two-thirds (76%) saw negative LGBT-related messages regularly on newspapers, television, and social media in the past year. Frequent exposure of negative messages on media platforms was positively associated with depression, NSSI, and suicidal ideation. Negative future expectations partially mediated the relationship between exposure to negative messages and mental health outcomes.
Conclusions: The study highlights the role of negative media messages as a social determinant of mental health inequities for LGBT+ people. The findings call for a multi-level intervention to mobilize members in government sectors, healthcare settings, and academic institutions to discern and actively challenge disinformation targeting LGBT+ communities
Flame Retardant Composite from Oil Palm Trunk
Get PDFThe use of oil palm biomass waste as a potential substitute for wood in buildings is consistent with the new idea of green economy development for a sustainable economic system. Nonetheless, investigating and determining the optimal production technique continues to be difficult for researchers. After the age of 25, oil palm trunks are
typically chopped down because of dwindling productivity or because they have gotten too tall, making harvesting extremely challenging (Lamaming et al., 2017). According to Awalludin et al. (2015), oil palm trunks may typically be processed mechanically to create products with
additional value. Because of economic factors, these raw materials are typically readily available and reasonably priced.
FIELD BODY TEMPERATURES OF BORNEAN FROGS : A STUDY OF THERMOREGULATORY STRATEGIES
Get PDFThe frog skin is essential for its respiration, to retain chemical toxins, osmoregulation, and protection. Each of the frogs’ skin glands has a specific function.
Therefore, variations in skin traits in different body regions of frogs may be in response to their environmental adaptability. Tree frogs encounter the challenges posed by disruption of natural habitats. In order to our understanding of the function of glands and gland
variations across distinct body regions, we examine skin structure in the Bornean Fourlined Frog, Polypedates leucomystax. Using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining techniques and a light microscope, the skin of selected adult frogs was investigated. The results revealed that the various body regions of P. leucomystax exhibited the same trait in terms of the layers of the epidermis and dermis within their skins. In the skin of P. leucomystax,
three type of glands, namely mucous, serous, and seromucous glands, release their contents onto the epidermal surface via an intra-epithelial duct. The thickness of the epidermal
layer and the distribution of glands differ between the dorsal and ventral areas, implying an underlying strategy of adaptation. The presence of seromucous glands is abundant in
every part including dorsal and ventral for this species’ special adaptability. The observed patterns of serous, mucous, and seromucous gland distribution across distinct skin regions could potentially mirror the behaviours of this species within its natural habitat. These discoveries may aid in understanding how the skin structure fulfil the ecological needs of the species, particularly within the modified settings of fragmented environments
Reimagining Urban Public Spaces Through Digital Art : A Framework For Cultural Engagement And Inclusive City- Making In Hangzhou, China
No full textIntegration of digital technologies in public art installations has a significant potential for the transformation of urban spaces, however many of such initiatives have failed in leaving a lasting impact. Absence of a uniform design framework for connecting the intents of the artist with the technological execution, becomes one of the key challenges. The present study endeavors to fill the identified gap with the introduction to a seven-phase design framework for guiding the execution, public value as well as the sustainability of digital art within public sphere. The study uses the case study method under the qualitative research strategy in Hangzhou, China, to conduct semi-structured interviews with digital artists and representatives from technology enterprises. The research utilizes the NVivo analytical tool for analyzing the interview data, forming the structured framework that includes Requirements Analysis, Design Conceptualization, Technical Implementation, User Experience Testing, Optimization, Implementation and Maintenance, and Post-Installation Evaluation. The framework foregrounds the vitality of interdisciplinary collaboration, technology adaptability and user-centred design. The framework shall provide practical suggestions encouraging cultural engagement, promoting inclusive form of community participation, along with encouraging social innovation and sustainability at the economic level. The findings contribute towards the policy strategies of urban
culture of incorporating digital art into urban development, aligning artistic creativity with technological strength.
This study offers important insights for policymakers and practitioners with the aim for harnessing digital public art
for cultural revitalization and sustainable urban innovation
In silico and in vitro Structural Analysis on the Interaction of Calmodulin and Calmodulin-Binding Motif of FKBP35 from Plasmodium knowlesi
Get PDFFK506-binding protein 35 (FKBP35) is a peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase found in Plasmodium knowlesi, a zoonotic malaria parasite responsible for concerning cases of malaria infection in East Malaysia. This protein contains a segment known as the calmodulin-binding motif (Pk-CBM), which is predicted to facilitate interaction with calmodulin from P. knowlesi (Pk-CaM). Although this interaction is considered promising for future antimalarial drug development, it has not yet been experimentally demonstrated. This study aims to investigate the binding between the Pk-CBM of FKBP35 and Pk-CaM through both in silico and in vitro approaches, with a focus on the structural features of this interaction. To address this, three-dimensional models of Pk-CaM and Pk-CBM were first constructed using SWISS-MODEL, and the docking complex was generated using HADDOCK. Subsequently, MD simulations were carried out using the YASARA structure package to assess the stability of the interaction over a period of 100 ns, utilizing the AMBER14 force field under conditions of 298 K (25°C) and pH 7.4 in an explicit water environment. Furthermore, to confirm the in silico binding event, an in vitro experiment was conducted to assess the binding between Pk-FKBP35 and the CBM using circular dichroism and anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence assays. The docking simulation revealed that the C-terminal segment of Pk-CBM, particularly the IL motif, is essential for binding to Pk-CaM, with detailed mapping of residue-specific interactions provided by LigPlot. These computational results were corroborated by in vitro studies, which demonstrated that the binding event significantly altered the secondary structure of Pk-CaM and involved its hydrophobic regions. Together, these findings confirm a significant interaction between Pk-CaM and Pk-CBM, suggesting potential novel druggable targets for antimalarial drug design aimed at P. knowlesi
Safeguarding The Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Bisaya Ethnic Group in Limbang Sarawak : Documentation and Analysis of Ethnobotanical Terminology
Get PDFIntangible cultural heritage constitutes a vital dimension of cultural continuity, encompassing the inherited traditions, practices and expressions passed down through generations. Each ethnic group worldwide retains a unique repertoire of intangible heritage, including oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events and traditional knowledge associated with nature and the cosmos. Recognising the significance of this heritage, UNESCO has prioritised it’s safeguarding to ensure its preservation, revitalisation and sustainable transmission by the communities to whom it belongs. Within the Bisaya community in Limbang Sarawak, traditional ecological knowledge embedded in intangible heritage plays an integral role in shaping ethnic identity. The community’s close relationship with the natural environment is particularly evident in their extensive knowledge and utilisation of plant resources for medicinal, culinary, ritual and artisanal purposes. This study aims to document and analyse ethnobotanical terminology used by the Bisaya community, with the principal objective of safeguarding this knowledge from erosion due to modernisation and socio-cultural transformation. Employing a qualitative research design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key informants, including community leaders, traditional healers, craft practitioners and native speakers. These were supplemented by participant observation to capture the contextual use of plant-based knowledge in everyday life. Findings reveal a rich and distinctive ethnobotanical lexicon, reflective of the Bisaya community’s profound ecological understanding and cultural symbolism. However, a marked decline in plant use and terminological transmission among younger generations underscores the urgency of documentation efforts. The study advocates for the preservation of ethnobotanical terminology as a means of sustaining linguistic diversity and cultural identity and offers a valuable resource for further research in the fields of ethnobotany, ethnolinguistics and indigenous knowledge systems
The Digital Art Scene of Public Spaces in the Age of the Metaverse: Case Study of Ooeli Art Park, Hangzhou, China
Get PDFThis PhD thesis examines the uniqueness of the digital art scene in the virtual space and its influence on traditional public art spaces and audience engagement. The study examines the digital art scene as a connection between reality and virtual environments, offering novel methods for art engagement. This paper employs qualitative research methods to examine how digital art may transform art presentation through technological innovation, act as a connection between virtual and public spaces, enhance art accessibility and innovation, and facilitate entry into the virtual realm to bolster the growth of associated industries. The study utilized the Ooeli Art Park project in Hangzhou, China, to gather interview data from artists, technology companies, art institutions, and visitors, highlighting critical factors and obstacles to the incorporation of digital art in public spaces. The findings indicate differing degrees of awareness and involvement within the digital arts community, highlighting the necessity for inclusive and accessible programming. The study thoroughly examines the influence of the digital art scene on urban environments and mass cultural communication from the viewpoints of urban research, art theory, and technology research. It offers guidance for global cities to enhance public spaces through digital technology, advocates for the convergence of art and technology, and introduces innovative concepts for the advancement of the cultural industry. The study forms a basic framework that suggests the digital art scene is a unique link between public art spaces and the virtual world. It also stresses how important interactive relationships are and provides a new way to understand and evaluate the progress of urban ecology and social dynamics
Systematic literature review on developing an integrated STEM leadership model for middle leaders in school
Get PDFThis systematic literature review investigates the development of an integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) leadership model tailored for middle leaders in Malaysian schools. The
introduction highlights the global emphasis on STEM education to foster innovation and economic growth, while acknowledging Malaysia’s commitment to enhancing STEM capabilities within its educational system.
The problem statement identifies a gap in effective STEM leadership among middle leaders, which is critical for implementing STEM initiatives and improving student outcomes. To achieve this, we conducted an extensive
search of scholarly articles from reputable databases such as Scopus and Web of Science (WoS), focusing on studies published between 2021 and 2024. The flow of study is based on PRISMA framework. The database found (n=34) final primary data was analyzed. The finding was divided into three themes
which are i) STEM education policy and implementation; ii) leadership in STEM educational; iii) professional development in STEM education. The conclusion emphasizes the need for a specialized leadership model that incorporates instructional leadership principles, fosters professional
development, and supports collaborative practices among middle leaders. This integrated model aims to address the unique challenges faced by middle leaders in Malaysian schools, ultimately enhancing STEM education and
contributing to Malaysia’s educational and economic aspirations
Leadership Competencies for Digital Implementation in Malaysia: A Case Study of a Retailer in the Energy Industry
Get PDFThis study explored leadership competencies required to drive digital implementation at the case study organisation, a retailer in the energy industry in Malaysia. Although significant advancements have been made in digital tools and strategies, many retailers have yet to achieve the anticipated business performance outcomes, highlighting a gap in leadership competencies required to manage successful digital implementation. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the leadership competencies required to achieve successful digital implementation at the case study organisation. This qualitative case study employed semi-structured interviews with eight top-performing retailers. The data were analysed using thematic analysis with the support of NVivo 14 software. The analysis identified fourteen leadership competencies distributed across five dimensions of digital maturity: (1) Strategy
Orientation, (2) Customer Orientation, (3) Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Process Infrastructure, (4) Talent and Capability Development, and (5) Innovation Culture and Organisational Commitment, which align with Transformational, Situational, and Authentic Leadership theories. The study recommends a conceptual framework that integrates the identified competencies, digital maturity dimensions, and leadership theories
to drive digital implementation success, incorporating them into performance management and training development programmes
