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Schizophrenia : a mini review of cognitive function study in multimodalities of neuroimaging and neuropsychology tests
Get PDFSchizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder that causes people to hallucinate and have unusual or distorted thoughts. Schizophrenia is primarily diagnosed based on symptoms such as hallucination, delusion, abnormal thought disorder, disorganized speech, bizarre behavior, and cognitive impairment. One of the major current discussions in schizophrenia is the poor cognitive function, which includes impairment of attention and working memory. Any abnormality in these sets of cognitive functions limits one's ability to organize daily life, including social life, career, and thought. So far, many studies have been conducted revealing the neural processing of schizophrenia patients. However, very few papers discuss the states of neurocognitive processing from the combinations of multiple modalities of neuroimaging, electrophysiological, and
neuropsychological sides in one single article. This review article will discuss previous studies on cognitive function in schizophrenia patients from a neuroscience standpoint
Leadership Competency Mapping for Public Sector Professionals : A Readiness Profiling Framework for Sarawak Civil Service
No full textThis study proposes a structured leadership competency mapping framework tailored for Sarawak civil service professionals, focusing on readiness profiling across officer grades. The research identifies key leadership competencies and categorizes them into four domains: Self, Organization, National & International, and Relationship & Diplomatic Engagement. Employing a multi-method qualitative approach—including a literature review, stakeholder consultations, focus group discussions, and document analysis—the study develops a competency framework aligned with the roles and responsibilities of civil servants from Grades 9 to 14. Findings reveal a progressive competency development structure, emphasizing the need for systematic leadership training, career progression planning, and targeted competency assessments to enhance governance effectiveness. The study underscores the importance of adaptive leadership, stakeholder engagement, and strategic alignment in public sector leadership. By implementing this competency framework, the Sarawak civil service can strengthen leadership readiness, improve policy execution, and align with global best practices in public administration.
Keywords: Competency Mapping, Leadership Development, Public Sector, Readiness Profiling, Civil Service, Sarawa
Edible Oil Consumption and Its Associated Factors Among the Dayak Community in Southern Zone of Sarawak
Get PDFIntroduction: Edible oil become essential in the Dayak diet and excessive use is associated to health risk. The study aims to determine the edible oil consumption and its associated factors among Dayak communities in southern zone of Sarawak. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in two randomly selected district from each three divisions: Kuching, Samarahan and Serian. A total of 278 respondents were recruited through cluster sampling. Interview administered questionnaire was used, and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Results: The average daily edible oil consumption was 37.50 grams per person, 51.1% exceeded the recommended intake. Respondents with larger household used oil moderately (p< 0.05), but they were more likely to reuse the edible oil (p< 0.05). Household with a family member having chronic disease, used edible oil at moderate amount (p< 0.05). Participant who utilized excess oil were less likely to believe edible oil reduce heart disease (p< 0.05) but remain confidence in its ingredient (p< 0.05). Their purchase of edible oil was influence by price reduction and promotion (p< 0.05). While participants who used oil at moderate amount disagreed with the preferences for shopping lower-priced oil (p< 0.05). Conclusion: The findings highlight a concerning trend of higher than recommended consumption of edible oil among Dayak communities. Nutritional promotion plays a vital role in empowering public to make well informed decisions in selecting edible oil, taking accounts both nutritional information and price, thereby avoiding excessive consumption while aligning health and environmental sustainability
The Prevalence of Fatty Liver Disease and Its Associated Factors Among Dayak Community in Kuching and Samarahan Division, Sarawak
Get PDFIntroduction: Globally, fatty liver disease (FLD) shows a worrying pattern of substantial increase in prevalence from year 1990 to 2020. Despite this, there are limited studies on FLD in Malaysia where the FLD trend remained unascertained. In Sarawak, there is a particular concern on FLD in Dayak Community due to the increase in obesity trend among this community, which is known as one of the factors of FLD. Thus, this study aims to determine the prevalence of FLD and its associating factors among the Dayak community in Kuching and Samarahan divisions. Materials and methods: This study was a cross-sectional study with a cluster sampling conducted among 281 respondents. Data were collected through questionnaires, and ultrasound assessments was used to diagnose FLD, then data was analyzed with SPSS version 29.0. Results: The respondent's mean (SD) age was 52.5 (16.00) years old. Analysis revealed that 47.3% of the respondents had FLD. Most of the FLD were in the mild stage (69.9%), and none of the respondents were in the severe stage. Bivariate analysis revealed that the age group of 35 to 65 years (p<0.01), the overweight and obese group (p<0.001), the presence of comorbidities (p<0.05), and the presence of alcohol consumption (p<0.05) appeared to be significant predictors of FLD. Conclusion: The prevalence of FLD among the Dayak community in Kuching and Samarahan divisions was higher in comparison to previous studies which indicate an urgent needs of actions from the relevant departments
Integrating machine learning and experimental data in modeling optical behaviors of neodymium oxide nanoparticle-doped glasses
No full textZinc tellurite doped with neodymium oxide nanoparticles (Nd2O3 NPs) glass series has been fabricated using conventional melt-quenching technique to explore the respective optical, structural, and physical properties of the glass material. Fourier-transform infra-red (FTIR) spectra and the respective deconvolution revealed changes in the amount of TeO3 and TeO4 structural units related to the concentration of neodymium oxide nanoparticles, which directly influences the amount of bridging oxygen and non-bridging oxygen in the glass system. The density of the prepared glasses possesses increasing trend with values that rose from 5346 to 5606 kg m−3 as more Nd2O3 NPs are incorporated in the glass matrix. The parameters for optical properties have also been determined, assisted and trained the chosen model in order to predict the data for optical properties of glass material with different chemical compositions via the machine learning approach. To enhance the experimental results, machine learning models were developed using linear regression (LR) and artificial neural networks (ANN). ANN model with its ability to capture both linear as well as non-linear interactions has outperformed the simulation and LR model as the ANN model had managed to accurately predict the values for the optical properties of glass material based on the compositional parameters. This underscores the effectiveness of ANN in modeling having intricate relationships between dopant concentrations and optical behaviors while at the same time providing critical insights for future advancements in doped glass technology
Evidence of Submicroscopic Malaria Parasitemia, Soil-Transmitted Helminths, and Their Coinfections Among Forest-Fringed Orang Asli Communities in Peninsular Malaysia
Get PDFMalaysia’s malaria rate has declined but remains a public health concern, with limited investigations into malaria and coinfections with soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling in Orang Asli villages enrolled 437 villagers aged 1–83 years based on their willingness to participate. Blood samples were tested microscopically for malaria, followed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and stool samples were screened microscopically for STH eggs. Body temperature, demographic, and socioeconomic data were collected. Malaria parasite was detectable only via PCR, with a 15.3% prevalence, indicating submicroscopic malaria parasitemia; none of the positive cases presented fever. The identified species included Plasmodium vivax (8.7%), Plasmodium cynomolgi (5.5%), Plasmodium knowlesi (4.3%), Plasmodium falciparum (1.8%), Plasmodium inui (0.2%), and Plasmodium malariae (0.2%). Females had significantly higher rates of submicroscopic malaria parasitemia (19.6%) compared with males (9.3%, P = 0.003). STH infections were highly prevalent (71.4%), with Trichuris trichiura (65.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (35.0%), and hookworm (14.6%). STH infection was associated with age (P <0.001), peaking in individuals aged 10–19 years (86.2%) and 1–9 years (83.0%), as well as with students (84.3% versus 60.8% in employed and 60.3% in unemployed; P <0.001) and low-income households (76.4% versus 61.7% in higher-income households; P = 0.002). Submicroscopic malaria parasitemia and STH coinfections were present in 8.9% of participants, with higher rates in low-income households (12.6% versus 5.2% in higher-income, P = 0.010). The Negrito tribe exhibited the highest prevalence of submicroscopic malaria parasitemia, STH, and coinfections (P <0.05). This study highlights the need for integrated malaria and STH control strategies, particularly for the Negrito tribe
Species Assemblages of Palm Weevils (Rhynchophorus spp.) in Three Different Coconut Plantations in Western Sarawak, Malaysia
Get PDFA study on the species assemblages of palm weevils was conducted in three different coconut plantations in Western Sarawak, Malaysia, which included Beliong, Kota Samarahan and Lundu districts, respectively, from December 2019 until February 2020. Pheromone traps and food-baited traps were deployed during this study. Total of nine individuals representing Rhynchophorus vulneratus (Red Stripe Weevil) were recorded while one individual was suspected to be R. ferrugineus (Red Palm Weevil). This study suggests that the differences in colour and markings on the elytra of R. ferrugineus captured may be influenced by environmental factors. The damages caused by Rhynchophorus species towards coconut trees in this study were also documented. Based on the Chi-Square analysis (X2 (6, N = 10) = 12.59, p = 0.34), the preference of Rhynchophorus spp. toward the type of treatments is independent. Further studies or repetition should be conducted to consider longer trapping days and additional sampling areas
The Effect of Capital Structure on Firm Performance During COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Technology Listed Companies in Malaysia
Get PDFThis study examines the relationship between capital structure and firm performance of technology companies listed in Malaysia, incorporating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The specific objectives are to assess the effect of capital structure on firm performance before and during the pandemic, as well as the moderating role of COVID-19. The analysis is based on a sample of 117 technology firms listed on Bursa Malaysia across the Leap, Main, and ACE markets. Using unbalanced panel data spanning from 1992 to 2022, this study employs return on assets (ROA) as the dependent variable. The independent variables include the total debt to total assets ratio (DTA) and long-term debt to total assets ratio (LTDA), while tangibility (TANG), firm size (SIZE), and firm growth (GROWTH) serve as control variables. The COVID-19 pandemic is incorporated as a moderating variable. Findings from the fixed effects panel regression analysis indicate that both DTA and LTDA have a significant negative impact on ROA, both before and during the pandemic. However, firms adjusted their capital structures throughout the crisis to mitigate financial distress, as evidenced by the moderating interaction terms. Additionally, firm size and growth are identified as key drivers of ROA, as they enable firms to scale operations and generate higher revenues. Ultimately, the study suggests that firms should adopt effective debt management strategies to optimize their capital structure and enhance financial resilience. Financial institutions, in turn, should develop adaptive financing solutions that support businesses in navigating economic disruptions
Energy Saving Opportunities Through Practical Steam System Optimization in Selected Malaysian Industrial Plant of Sabah and Johor
Get PDFThis thesis explores the optimization of industrial steam systems in selected Malaysian plants in Sabah and Johor to enhance energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and support national sustainability goals. Malaysia's industrial sector faces challenges such as high energy costs, steam system inefficiencies, and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Using a mixed-method approach, this study combines on-site measurements (thermal imaging, stack gas analysis) with advanced modelling tools, including the Steam System Assessment Tool (SSAT), 3E Plus Insulation Software, and Solar Heating Industrial Process (SHIP) simulations, to identify and implement significant optimization opportunities. At the Sabah site, targeted measures like feedwater economizers and reduced blowdown rates improved boiler efficiency from 68.6% to 77%, saving 75,276 GJ of energy, 598.3 tons of biomass fuel, and reducing CO₂ emissions by 13,002 metric tons annually. These improvements lowered operational costs by MYR 450,000 per year. At the Johor site, SHIP simulations demonstrated the feasibility of integrating solar thermal technology to enhance feedwater temperatures and boiler efficiency, achieving total cost savings of MYR 362,472.46 through the combination of solar thermal and continuous blowdown heat recovery. This study highlights the importance of steam system optimization in achieving energy savings, economic benefits, and alignment with Malaysia's net-zero carbon targets for 2050. It presents a scalable model for energy-efficient practices across the palm oil and oleochemical industries
The Mediating Effect of Financial Analyst Forecasts on the Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure and Investment Efficiency
Get PDFThis study highlights a phenomenon that has received increasing attention in recent years, namely, corporate social responsibility disclosure and investment efficiency. However, previous research rarely explores the transmission mechanism between corporate social responsibility disclosure and investment efficiency, especially how financial analyst forecasts affect this relationship, which is the primary motivation of this study. In reality, Chinese corporate investment activities exhibit high inefficiency, and information asymmetry is one of the main reasons. Corporate social responsibility disclosure provides incremental information to stakeholders. However, there are still a range of challenges to transparency in corporate social responsibility disclosure. Whether financial analysts, as external monitors, play a mediating role in the connection between corporate social responsibility disclosure and investment efficiency is worth studying. Prior research on CSR disclosure has included studies of mandatory social responsibility disclosure policies and CSR disclosure after policy implementation. Therefore, based on 25,552 observations of Chinese listed firms over the period from 2006 to 2022, divided into two samples, this study investigates the mediating role of financial analyst forecasts between corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and investment efficiency. The first sub-sample of 5,442 observations, selected between 2006 and 2011, aims to examine the mediating effect of financial analyst forecasts on the relationship between mandatory corporate social responsibility disclosure and investment efficiency in the short-term effect of mandatory CSR disclosure. The second sub-sample of 24,235 observations, for the period from 2008 to 2022, is selected to investigate the effect of CSR disclosure and its quality on investment efficiency in the long-term effect of mandatory CSR disclosure predicted by financial analysts. Specifically, this sub-sample is used to investigate the mediating role of financial analyst forecasts on the relationship between corporate social responsibility disclosure and investment efficiency, and determine the mediating effect of financial analysts on the relationship between corporate social responsibility disclosure quality and investment efficiency. This study employs panel fixed effects regression modeling of mediation effects using Stata17 software to test this causal inference. The analysis includes difference-in-differences (DID), parallel trend test, placebo test, propensity score matching and difference models (PSM-DID), and bootstrap test. The theoretical foundation of this study is built upon signaling theory, reputation theory, stakeholder theory, and information asymmetry theory. The results indicate that financial analyst forecasts do not play a mediating role in the short-run effects of implementing mandatory social responsibility disclosure policy. However, analysis of the long-term effects of mandatory disclosure policy reveals that companies that disclose social responsibility information, compared to those that do not, can indirectly enhance investment efficiency through analyst forecasts. Financial analyst forecasts do not impact investment efficiency through the quality of CSR disclosure. The study provides that mandatory CSR disclosure policies are effective in the long run, supporting the need to continuously promote and strengthen CSR disclosure policies. The study also highlights the role of financial analysts as key information intermediaries, offering insights for investors, regulators, and policymakers regarding the long-term effects of CSR disclosure transparency on investment decision-making