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Carbonised Agro-Waste Adsorbents for Automotive Lubricating Oil Removal
No full textThe increasing generation of waste lubricating oil, driven by expanding industrial and automotive activity, poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems due to its persistence, hydrophobicity, and complex chemical composition. This study evaluates two abundant agro-waste residues: rice husk (RH) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) as potential adsorbents for lubricating oil removal. Both biomasses were pre-treated with 1M NaOH to enhance surface porosity and hydrophobicity, followed by carbonisation at 550 °C. Three adsorbent formulations were prepared based on RH:SB weight ratios of 24:6, 15:15, and 6:24 g. Batch experiments were conducted at oil concentrations of 25, 30, and 35 v/v% and contact times of 10, 20, and 30 min using a fixed 30g adsorbent dosage of RH and SB. The response behaviour was further examined using ANOVA and contour-plot analysis under Response Surface Methodology to interpret factor interactions. Optimum values for RH-SB adsorbent are 15:15 g of adsorbent dosage, 25 v/v% of oil concentration and 30 min of contact time. These resulted in 100% removal efficiency under controlled batch conditions. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of lignocellulosic structures supporting oil–adsorbent interactions. Overall, the findings demonstrate that carbonised RH and SB are viable, low-cost, and environmentally sustainable adsorbents and are strongly recommended for removing used lubricating oil
Anaemia presenting as the sole symptom in a young woman: A case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour of the small intestine
No full textMalignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) with
gastrointestinal involvement are uncommon. We report the
case of a 22-year-old woman presenting with symptomatic
anaemia requiring recurrent blood transfusions. Initial
haematological evaluations revealed microcytic
hypochromic anaemia. Both upper and lower endoscopies
were normal, except for a positive rapid urease test result.
However, computed tomography identified a tumour
originating from the ileum and adherent to the urinary
bladder, along with a mixed-density lesion in the right ovary.
Following multidisciplinary team discussion, en-bloc
resection of the ileal tumour and enucleation of the ovarian
lesion, were performed. Histopathological analysis
confirmed the ileal mass as an MPNST and the ovarian
lesion as a benign cystic teratoma. This case highlights the
rarity of ileal MPNSTs presenting with anaemia and
emphasises the importance of complete surgical excision
and vigilant follow-up owing to the potential for recurrence
and metastasis
Voices of Dissent: A Critical Discourse Analysis of American Punk Lyrics (1990s-2000s)
No full textThis study investigates the messages and common themes conveyed through American punk music lyrics from the 1990s to 2000s using Fairclough’s three-dimensional Critical Discourse Analysis framework. A qualitative case study approach examined seven songs from prominent American punk bands spanning grunge, pop punk, hardcore, metalcore, and emo subgenres, which includeNirvana, Green Day, Hatebreed, Converge, Orchid, Silverstein, and My Chemical Romance. The textual dimension revealed lexical strategies that foreground alienation and entrapment through constraining vocabulary and fragmented grammatical structures. Discursive practice analysis showed how punk lyrics appropriate and subvert dominant cultural narratives whilst constructing authenticity through confessional modes. Social practice analysis connected these linguistic features to broader sociocultural contexts, revealing resistance to capitalist structures and a critique of institutionalised authority. Three dominant themes emerged from the analysis. Alienation and social entrapment, systematic critique of institutionalised authority, and collective trauma in response to catastrophic historical events. The findings demonstrate that American punk lyrics function as ideological interventions that expose power relations embedded within late capitalist society, transforming individual suffering into collective political consciousness whilst challenging naturalised social inequalities
Drivers of Residents’ Participation in Urban Neighbourhood Public Space Maintenance
No full textPublic participation is increasingly recognised as a strategic approach to improving the quality and long-term
upkeep of neighbourhood public spaces. Beyond reducing maintenance costs, participation strengthens the
relationship between residents and their shared environment, fostering a sense of civic responsibility. However,
resident involvement in neighbourhood public space maintenance remains limited in Malaysian urban
neighbourhoods, where such responsibilities are typically viewed as the domain of local authorities. This study
examines the factors that influence residents’ willingness to engage in the maintenance of neighbourhood
public spaces in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A structural equation model was developed to assess the causal
relationships among three key drivers of participation: Personal Motivation, Place Attachment, and
Neighbourhood Ties. Findings reveal that Neighbourhood Ties significantly encourage participation, but their
influence operates indirectly through the mediating effects of residents’ attachment to place and individual
motivation to maintain their surroundings. These results highlight the importance of strengthening social
connections and emotional bonds within neighbourhoods to promote collective action in public space stewardship. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of urban resident participation and provides insights for designing community-based maintenance strategies that complement formal public space management in Malaysian cities
Assessment of the Potential of Sodium Benzoate as Anti-Microbial and Anti-Corrosion Agent in Coolant
No full textSodium benzoate, as both an antimicrobial agent and corrosion inhibitor, is ideally suited for application in engine coolant. This study evaluated the antimicrobial and anticorrosion properties of sodium benzoate in an ethylene glycol-based organic engine coolant. Antimicrobial assays tested sodium benzoate against Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Trichoderma viviens. The corrosion inhibitory effect was assessed using the ASTM D1384 glassware corrosion test. It was found that 3% wt sodium benzoate strongly inhibited microbial growth, while a minimum dosage of 1% wt provided only mild antimicrobial performance. Interestingly, the presence of 50% ethylene glycol in the coolant outperformed sodium benzoate in antimicrobial effectiveness. Sodium benzoate also exhibited selective corrosion protection; at a dosage of 1% wt, it offered superior protection for aluminum but promoted corrosion of iron
Digital Chain Drill: A Technology-Enhanced Strategy for Enhancing Learning Outcomes and Speaking Confidence among Tenth-Grade Students A SMAN 1 Sungai Tebelian
No full textEnglish speaking ability plays a crucial role in communication, yet many students still experience difficulties expressing their opinions fluently and confidently. These challenges commonly stem from limited vocabulary, insufficient speaking practice, and low self-confidence. In response to these issues, this study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Digital Chain Drill, a technology-enhanced version of the traditional Chain Drill, in improving students’ speaking confidence and their ability to express opinions in English. This research employed a pre- experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design. The population consisted of all tenth-grade students of SMAN 1 Sungai Tebelian and a purposive sample of 32 students from class XC participated in the study. Data were collected through a speaking performance test supported by digital recording tools and a self-confidence questionnaire. The findings indicated a significant improvement in students’ oral communication performance. The mean score increased from 41.75 in the pre-test to 66.25 in the post-test, representing a 58.68% increase. Students also demonstrated greater confidence when expressing their opinions in English, supported by structured digital repetition and technology-assisted feedback. Therefore, the Digital Chain Drill proved to be an effective technology-enhanced strategy for strengthening learning outcomes, boosting students’ speaking confidence, and supporting their ability to express opinions more fluently in English
Regional stability to global security: Malaysia and ASEAN in the United Nations Security Council Framework
No full textThis paper focuses on Malaysia's role in bridging regional stability and global security as a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). As a key member of ASEAN, Malaysia leveraged its regional leadership to highlight Southeast Asia's strategic challenges, including maritime security, peacebuilding and conflict resolution. By advocating for ASEAN's consensus-building and regional cooperation principles, Malaysia shaped the UNSC discussions on pressing global issues, such as the South China Sea disputes and counter-terrorism efforts. This paper analyzes Malaysia's diplomatic strategies and their effectiveness in amplifying ASEAN's voice within the UNSC framework. The paper also explores the broader implications of Malaysia's efforts to reinforce the role of small states in global security governance and strengthen ASEAN's influence on international platforms. Malaysia's diplomatic strategies emphasized ASEAN's principles of consensus building, non-interference, and preventive diplomacy, illustrating how regional norms can shape regional security dialogues. By leveraging its unique position, Malaysia amplified ASEAN's voice and demonstrated how small and middle powers can influence the decision-making processes of the UNSC. This paper adopts a case study approach, analysing Malaysia's actions and contributions to UNSC resolutions, debates and peacekeeping operations. The finding reveal Malaysia's ability to integrate regional and global security agendas, strengthening the role of ASEAN as a contributor to international governance. A significant opportunity for Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 is to leverage its leadership in ASEAN to promote peace in the South China Sea and contribute to global stability
Immersive Experiences in Virtual Science Labs: A Systematic Review and the VIRTAS Framework
No full textVirtual laboratories and Metaverse platforms are reshaping science education by offering immersive, interactive, and scalable alternatives to traditional labs. This systematic review synthesizes 37 peer-reviewed studies (2021–2024) from Scopus and Web of Science, guided by PRISMA protocols. Findings show that Augmented and Virtual Reality-based virtual labs enhance understanding of abstract scientific concepts, promote critical thinking, and support collaborative problem-solving through real-time simulations and feedback. These technologies improve access to practical science experiences, especially in under-resourced contexts. Key challenges persist, including digital inequality, cognitive overload, and limited teacher preparedness. To address these, the review proposes a new framework: Virtual Immersion for Real-Time Thinking, Access, and Skills (VIRTAS). It is built on six pedagogical pillars based on the SLR results: immersive simulation, instant feedback, gamified learning, team collaboration, equitable access, and skill scaffolding. Anchored in Theory, Context, Construct and Methods (TCCM) analysis, VIRTAS offers a model for designing and assessing Metaverse-based science labs. The review outlines a roadmap for future research, policy, and practice in immersive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education
Emotional Intelligence and Sustainable Job Performance among Women in Leadership Roles in Manufacturing Firms: Digital Maturity as a Moderator
No full textIn Malaysia’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, women leaders play a pivotal role in driving organizational performance and innovation. However, despite their growing representation in leadership positions, many continue to encounter challenges such as gender bias, limited career advancement, and work-family conflicts that can affect their emotional well-being and long-term job performance. These issues highlight the importance of emotional intelligence (EI), a critical leadership competency encompassing self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. In the Malaysian context, women leaders’ emotional intelligence is often tested as they balance organizational expectations with cultural and digital transitions in the workplace. Therefore, to bridge this gap, the present study investigates the influence of emotional intelligence on sustainable job performance, defined in this context as the combination of sustainable task performance and contextual performance, among women leaders in Malaysia’s private manufacturing sector. It further explores the moderating role of digital maturity, conceptualized as a leader’s readiness and adaptability in leveraging digital transformation to enhance sustainable job performance. Drawing upon social exchange theory, self-efficacy theory, and dynamic managerial capabilities theory, a quantitative research approach was employed, using survey data collected from 310 women holding managerial roles across four industrialized states: Selangor, Penang, Johor, and Sarawak. Data were analysed using PLS-SEM via SmartPLS 4.0. The findings revealed that emotional intelligence significantly enhances sustainable job performance, while digital maturity strengthens this relationship. Women leaders with higher levels of digital maturity demonstrated greater adaptability and resilience in managing digital transformation challenges, thereby achieving more sustainable performance outcomes. These results underscore that emotional intelligence and digital maturity are complementary assets that jointly enable women leaders to sustain effectiveness in dynamic work environments. This study contributes to the literature on women’s leadership, emotional intelligence, and digital transformation by offering empirical evidence from Malaysia’s manufacturing context. Practically, the findings suggest that organizations should invest in emotional intelligence development and digital maturity enhancement to empower women leaders in achieving sustainable performance. Policymakers and industry stakeholders are encouraged to implement supportive frameworks that promote women’s leadership advancement in the digital era
Emotional Furniture Design For The Elderly：How To Make Design Connect To End-Users
No full textAs the problem of an aging society becomes increasingly serious, the emotional needs and quality of life of the elderly are receiving more and more attention. Furniture is not only closely related to people's daily lives, but also shows the emotional pursuits and personality characteristics of users during use. Therefore, in order to narrow the distance between elderly furniture and users, it is necessary to use the concept of emotional design, and then design furniture products with spiritual care and emotional satisfaction characteristics according to the physiological and psychological characteristics of the elderly and their emotional needs. This paper aims to explore how to improve the comfort and emotional resonance of furniture used by the elderly through emotional design methods. Through empathetic design and metaphorical techniques, we designed furniture that can arouse emotional resonance and psychological memory to meet the social and emotional needs of the elderly in environments such as reading rooms. The ultimate goal is to design furniture that is both practical and that can give emotional support and spiritual satisfaction to the elderly, so that they can feel the care and respect of society in their later years