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From Seeing to Perceiving: The Audiovisual Construction and Embodied Experience of Rural Space in Documentaries
No full textThis paper discusses some recent Chinese documentaries with rural themes. These documentaries use audiovisual codes to help audiences move from “seeing” spaces physically to “sensing” multidimensional spaces, triggering embodied experiences. Owing to a general tendency to focus on “what kind of space is depicted” in documentaries, scholars have systematically neglected the basic link of “how they trigger audiences’ sensory experiences”. Taking some recent documentaries including Remembering Nostalgia and Beautiful Countryside as examples, this paper intends to argue that there is a central argument in these documentaries: That is, documentaries “guide” viewers visually and “envelop” them aurally, making them an attractive textual body. That is, first, visually, mobile shots “guide” audiences to experience space as if they were “walking”, close-ups “stimulate” audiences to feel emotions, and changes in lighting effect create spatial atmosphere, which turn viewers from merely “seers” of spaces into active “explorers” of spaces. Second, aurally, a carefully designed soundscape and affective voice-over create a surrounding acoustic space that “envelops” audiences. In sum, the entire audiovisual strategy not only depicts images of countryside, but also effectively “mobilizes” viewers’ bodily memories and affective feelings to trigger embodied experiences, that is, “being there”. By exploring the sensory aesthetics and experiential construction in documentaries, this paper reveals how documentaries can help audiences leap from “seeing” spaces to “sensing”.
Keywords: audiovisual construction, embodied experience, rural space, sensory aesthetics, Chinese documentarie
The Potential of Neolamarckia cadamba Seedling in Improving Growth Performance and Yield of Zea mays under Different Precipitation Patterns
No full textClimate change is altering rainfall, with more droughts and severe storms that harm agriculture. These shifts in
temperature and precipitation disrupt soil moisture, which is essential for the growth of staple crops. Therefore,
this study was conducted to investigate the effects of integrating Neolamarckia cadamba with Zea mays on growth
performance under different precipitation patterns: low (T1), normal (T2) and high (T3). The experiment was
conducted in a completely randomised block design (CRBD), with the first block representing N. cadamba
integrated with Z. mays as agroforestry, the second block representing only Z. mays as a crop and the third block
only N. cadamba as a tropical tree species. The growth parameters (number of leaves, diameter, plant height and
chlorophyll content) were measured 120 days after planting and the yield parameters (fresh weight, dry weight,
number of kernels, fresh weight of kernel, dry weight of kernel) were measured after harvesting. The results
showed significant effects of rainfall and agroforestry integration on maize yield in term of dry weight, number of
kernels, kernels fresh weight and kernel dry weight. Kernel yield parameters, including fresh weight and kernel
number, were highest under T2 and T3 in the agroforestry (AGRO), indicating improved availability of resources
and soil conditions by N. cadamba. In term of practices, AGRO produced higher chlorophyll (SPAD: 29.44 ± 1.44
vs 22.47 ± 2.31; P < 0.05) and dry weight (277.24 ± 11.68 g vs 216.84 ± 23.47 g; P < 0.05) than NON-AGRO.
These results show an ecological trade-off such as in normal and wet conditions N. cadamba cools the canopy and
conserves soil moisture, raising Z. mays performance while under drought, root water pre-emption and reduced
light increase competition and depress kernel. At farm level, border or alley planting of N. cadamba with Z. mays
can be promoted under normal and wet conditions, while wider spacing or soil-water conservation is advisable in
dry conditions the policymakers can include maize and N. cadamba designs in agroforestry extension as part of
climate-smart agriculture
Recollections of the Covid-19 Experience: A Perspective from Sarawak
No full textHigher education is important for human capital development in the country. Like other global higher education community, Malaysia also experiences significant adverse impact brought by the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. This gives rise to pertinent question on how resilient is our higher education system in Malaysia in response to crisis particularly with respect to the Covid-19 crisis. Many have discussed on how to leverage university and government resources during the crisis through curriculum redevelopment and pedagogical development to enable effective and efficient online learning delivery system. However, not much narrative research had been carried out to capture the reality among the directly affected individuals comprising students and parents or stakeholders in general for policy implication to draw from. This chapter uses micro lenses to explore experience of students and parents as well as lecturers of higher learning institutions who reside in Sarawak, Malaysia by focusing on learning and teaching experience as well as the coping mechanism that goes beyond education dimension during and after Covid-19 crisis. Through analysis and reflection of narrative experiences of those directly or indirectly affected in this bottom-up approach, important lessons are drawn on how the local communities rebound from the disruptive effects of Covid-19. It was found that the humanitarian assistance going beyond interfaith, ethnicity and cultural diversity plays a significant role in social support systems in Sarawak particularly during and after Covid-19 crisis. Strategies were made by various parties on developing and strengthening the capability of mitigating future shocks. Recommendations are also made on crisis coping mechanism or crisis management to enhance resiliency level or preparedness local communities in general in response to uncertainty and challenges faced in future crisis to ensure that no one is left behind to achieve the ultimate aim of enhancing well-being of all members of the society and particularly those involved in higher education in Malaysia
CABARAN KOMUNIKASI, PENGURUSAN WARGA TUA DAN PSIKOLOGI BAGI PENJAGA YANG BEKERJA DI RUMAH PERLINDUNGAN WARGA TUA: KAJIAN KES DI SARAWAK
No full textPopulasi warga tua di Malaysia dijangka akan meningkat disebabkan oleh peningkatan jangka hayat golongan yang berumur 60 tahun dan ke atas menjelang 2030. Peningkatan ini adalah selaras dengan kecanggihan teknologi perubatan dan pertambahan rumah perlindungan yang mengkhususkan jagaan ke atas warga tua. Hal ini memberi cabaran kepada penjaga yang bekerja di rumah perlindungan warga tua dalam memberikan perkhidmatan jagaan yang sesuai dengan tahap kesihatan warga tua yang dijaga. Justeru, kertas kerja ini bertujuan untuk membincangkan bagaimanakah latar belakang pekerja yang menjaga warga tua dan mengenal pasti cabaran yang dihadapi sepanjang bekerja di rumah perlindungan warga tua tersebut. Latar belakang yang ditumpukan termasuklah dalam aspek tahap pendidikan dan tempoh berkhidmat di rumah perlindungan warga tua. Cabaran yang dihadapi oleh penjaga ini termasuklah dari segi komunikasi, pengurusan warga tua dan psikologi warga tua yang dijaga. Kaedah reka bentuk kualitatif berasaskan kajian kes dan temu bual mendalam yang digunakan dalam kajian ini dilakukan ke atas sembilan orang peserta kajian di Sarawak. Maklumat yang diperolehi akan dianalisis menerusi analisis tematik. Implikasinya, pekerja yang bekerja di rumah perlindungan warga tua perlu diberikan latihan yang secukupnya bagi mengatasi cabaran yang dihadapi oleh penjaga yang menjaga warga tua di rumah perlindungan. Oleh itu, kajian ini turut mencadangkan langkah-langkah yang boleh dilakukan bagi mengatasi cabaran yang dihadapi oleh penjaga sepanjang mereka memberikan perkhidmatan jagaan kepada warga tua yang menetap di rumah perlindungan
Strengthening the absorptive capacity of the national innovation system through university-industry research collaboration: A Theory of Inventive Problem Solving approach
No full textThere has been a universal recognition that university-industry research collaboration (UIRC) is vital to strengthen
the national innovation system (NIS) and economic growth. Despite a series of research studies on the significance
of UIRC, present baseline models to enhance the capabilities of NIS through URIC are still scarce, specifically in
developing countries. This research has highlighted that absorptive capacity has a vital influence on the NIS as well
as on the research and innovative activities of an individual. Moreover, this research highlights how education and
training (E&T) can enrich the absorptive capacity of NIS and UIRC using the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving
(TRIZ) approach. The methodology involves applying TRIZ tools, such as function modeling, contradiction analysis,
and inventive principles to identify effective strategies for improving the absorptive capacities of universities and
industries and consequently of NIS. Thus, proposed solutions include enhancing the education, training systems and
programs, promoting collaboration between universities and industries, and decreasing aids, such as foreign-educated
and skilled workforce, which can strengthen the absorptive capacity of NIS. Analysis of this research suggests that a
strong E&T system and upgrading the standard of education are crucial factors for improving the absorptive capacity
of NIS. Recommendations include developing policies that foster a culture of knowledge, promoting interdisciplinary
research, and incentivizing innovation. Future research directions include exploring comparative analysis with other
developed and developing countries’ strategies in customizing the education and research system to enhance the
outcomes of research and innovations
Design an Energy Management System for a Smart Home Application using Object-Oriented Programming Techniques
No full textThe smart home concept has become increasingly
popular due to its ability to enable remote and automated
control of household systems. However, designing such systems presents challenges, particularly in ensuring operational functionality and energy efficiency. This paper presents the implementation of a smart energy management system using object-oriented programming (OOP) techniques. The system features a base class for generic devices and a derived class for smart devices, with an integrated energy metering unit that calculates total energy usage and manages interactions among devices. Polymorphism is employed within the smart device class to handle task-specific behaviors dynamically. The energy meter issues warnings when consumption reaches predefined limits. This implementation demonstrates key OOP principles, including inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism, in a real-world smart home context. Experimental results under controlled conditions validate the system’s effectiveness and scalability for home automation applications, enabling efficient and reliable energy monitoring
Language Choice among Young Sarawak Malay Speakers in the Simunjan District
No full textThis study aims to examine language choice among young Sarawak Malay speakers in the Simunjan district by focusing on two primary objectives: (i) to determine the most frequently used language by young Sarawak Malays in Simunjan across the domains of family, friendship, education, religion and employment; and (ii) to identify their attitudes towards the importance of using the local dialect as a marker of cultural identity and their linguistic heritage. This research employed a quantitative methodology. A total of 100 respondents completed the questionnaires distributed, and the data were analysed using Fishman’s Domain Theory (1972). The findings reveal that young Sarawak Malays in Simunjan continue to demonstrate positive attitudes towards the use of the Simunjan Malay dialect in various aspects of daily life. The dialect remains dominant in the family, friendship, religious and occupational domains, indicating its significant role in preserving cultural identity and strengthening social relationships. Although there is a noticeable shift towards Standard Malay in educational and formal contexts, the use of the local dialect remains robust, particularly in informal communication and interaction within the local community. These findings confirm that the Simunjan Malay dialect remains relevant and continues to play an important role in the everyday lives of young people in Simunjan
Soil Rare Earth Elements in Afram Plain Ecosystems via Neutron Activation Analysis
No full textThis study characterizes rare earth element (REE) distributions in Afram Plain soil profiles using neutron activation analysis (NAA) combined with Bayesian
Hierarchical Models (BHMs). Forty-eight samples from
eight locations across seven soil types were analysed at
the Ghana Research Reactor-1 using k₀-standardization.
Mean total REE concentration was 728.6 mg/kg, substantially higher than regional comparisons, with an unusual HREE-enriched signature (ΣLREE/ΣHREE ≈0.6). Waterbody sediments showed highest accumulation (763.8 mg/kg), while Haplic Lixisols had highest La concentrations (64.10 mg/kg). The BHM identified depth and pH as the most clearly influential predictors of total REE concentrations, with REEs increasing with depth and accumulating preferentially under higher pH conditions. Soil-type effects, while allowing for group-level variability, showed 95% highest density intervals spanning zero for all soil types, indicating that distinguishing these effects requires larger sample sizes. Enrichment factors for HREEs (Tm, Yb, Lu) reached extremely high values (102 –103 ), warranting careful interpretation given potential normalization artifacts from variable iron content. Fractionation indices revealed persistent negative Ce anomalies and neutral to positive Eu anomalies across profiles. This study demonstrates the utility of combining NAA with BHM for transparent uncertainty quantification in environmental REE assessments, while acknowledging that mineralogical characterization is needed to explain the unusual HREE enrichment patterns
Analysing Property Crime Movements in Urban Malaysia: The Role of Standard Deviational Ellipse (SDE) and Mean Centre (MC) Techniques
No full textProperty crime poses a significant threat to urban safety, socioeconomic stability, and sustainable development in Malaysia’s rapidly urbanising cities. However, the lack of advanced spatial analyses has limited the understanding of crime pattern evolution. This study investigates the spatial and temporal dynamics of 58,130 property crime incidents in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya from 2015 to 2020, employing Standard Deviational Ellipse (SDE) and Mean Centre (MC) techniques to map directional trends and identify crime hotspots. The analysis reveals strong diurnal patterns, with peak incidents at 8:00 p.m. (8.12%) and the lowest at 4:00 a.m. (0.61%), consistent with routine activity theory. Spatially, crime shifted from commercial areas (e.g., Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman) to transportation corridors (e.g., Jalan Raja Laut) and re-converged in urban commercial hubs (e.g., Pertama Complex) by 2020. The SDE area varied from 100.82 km² to 117.01 km², with increased dispersion and rotation in 2020, reflecting socioeconomic disruptions,
notably from the COVID-19 pandemic. Although comprehensive statistical modelling of socioeconomic variables was limited, observable shifts suggest economic vulnerability and urban development as key drivers. The findings highlight the utility of spatial analytics for predictive policing and evidence-based urban planning, enabling more effective crime
prevention and resilient city design