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Board Diversity as a Determinant of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Malaysian Banks
No full textThe impact of board diversity on corporate social responsibility (CSR) remains unclear, raising questions about how diverse leadership influences ethical and sustainable business practices. Under stakeholder theory, board diversity influences CSR by potentially enhancing
responsiveness to the interests of a broader range of stakeholders. This study is purposely to examine the relationship between board diversity and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Malaysian bank. Final sample of 34 Malaysian banks were collected. All non-financial and
financial data were collected from the annual report. Board diversity in this study consist age, gender, educational level, independence and size. Board educational level and board size show a positive relationship with CSR disclosure, but this significance is observed only in NonIslamic Banks. In contrast, Islamic Banks show no significant relationship, suggesting that higher education and larger board size enhance CSR practices primarily in Non-Islamic contexts due to greater diversity, experience, and implementation capacity. This study helps investors and managers understand how board diversity positively influences CSR disclosure, especially in Non-Islamic banks, aiding better investment and management decisions. It also supports academics by offering insights into CSR practices in Malaysia and highlights how CSR can enhance company image, attract investors, and improve overall performance
In vitro micropropagation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry profiling of callus culture in Pulicaria jaubertii for conservation and metabolite production
No full textPulicaria jaubertii is an aromatic and medicinal plant endemic to Yemen, currently facing habitat decline. This study aimed to evaluate its in vitro response in full-strength Murashige and Skoog (medium supplemented with different types and concentrations of plant growth regulators. Among the tested plant parts, only seed explants successfully initiated callus formation. Calli were subsequently subcultured in media containing 0.1 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) with kinetin (Kin) at 0, 0.25, 0.5, or 1 mg/L. Additional experiments tested media with 0.1 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0–1 mg/L), as well as 0.1 mg/L Kin with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (0–1 mg/L). Growth parameters related to callus induction, root, shoot, and leaf production were assessed. Findings revealed that Kin had no significant effect on most growth parameters except callus colour (P = 0.012), with the best growth at 0.25 mg/L. Similarly, IAA significantly influenced callus induction (P = 0.009), with optimal results at 1.0 mg/L. In contrast, 2,4-D had no significant effect, but its highest concentration (1.0 mg/L) supported optimal growth. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 46 compounds in the ethanolic callus extract compared to 25 in the mother plant, which indicates a richer phytochemical profile in the callus. The 2-Ethoxyethylamine (85.60%) and Stigmasterol (58.79%) were most abundant in ethanolic and n-hexane extracts. In conclusion, P. jaubertii seeds are the most responsive explants for micropropagation, forming callus as an initial step. Interestingly, GC-MS profiling identified bioactive compounds with medicinal properties. Further studies should refine auxin and cytokinin ratios to enhance propagation efficiency
Waste-to-energy and its asymmetric impact on ecological footprint: implications for environmental sustainability
No full textAs global populations grow and economies expand, the surge in municipal solid waste presents a significant challenge to ecological sustainability. Waste management involves a critical trade-off between traditional methods, such as landfilling and combustion, and the alternative of waste-to-energy (WtE) systems, which convert waste into usable energy. However, the environmental impact of these methods is not uniform, demonstrating an asymmetric effect depending on the strategy employed. This study investigates the asymmetric relationship between waste-to-energy and ecological footprints in China and the United States from 1980 to 2021, using advanced econometric techniques such as NARDL and MT-NARDL. Our findings highlight the potential of WtE systems in mitigating ecological footprints, offering a promising solution for sustainability in both countries. We recommend a dual-pronged strategy incorporating financial support to WtE plants alongside Feed-in Tariff (FIT) schemes. This will ensure their viability and foster an environment where these initiatives can thrive, ultimately contributing to a greener future
Drivers and Practices for Technology Adoption in Construction
No full textConstruction continues to face persistent productivity, safety, and coordination challenges, yet the last five years have seen rapid growth in digital solutions such as building information modelling (BIM), artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins, immersive training tools, and blockchain-enabled information sharing. This paper synthesises recent journal evidence on (i) how construction organisations adopt technology, (ii) the main drivers that accelerate adoption, and (iii) policy levers that can improve diffusion across fragmented supply chains. Drawing on technology–organisation–environment (TOE) and related adoption perspectives, the discussion explains why adoption in construction is rarely a single purchasing decision and is instead a staged change programme that requires governance, capability building, and integration with project delivery processes. Key drivers include cost and schedule certainty, competitive pressure and client requirements, safety performance, sustainability and carbon reporting, and the need for trustworthy, near real-time data flows across stakeholders. The paper argues that policies are most effective when they combine demand-side measures (public procurement requirements and standardised information deliverables), supply-side measures (skills development, incentives, and demonstrator projects), and ecosystem measures (interoperability standards, data governance, and platform coordination)
Automated Essay Grading System with Automated Generated Feedbacks
No full textProviding constructive essay feedback is a crucial yet time-consuming task, particularly in preparation for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET). This study proposes an automated essay grading system (AEGS) that leverages natural language processing (NLP) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to assess essays based on MUET rubrics to assist language teachers in grading essays and more importantly, to provide essays feedback efficiently as assist students' learning. The system was developed using generative pre-trained transformers (GPT)-4o OpenAI application programming interface, focusing on key features such as automated grading, detailed feedback generation, and userfriendly user interface design. AEGS extracts content from typed or scanned essays using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and evaluates submissions via AI-powered analysis. The difference between the grade generated using MUET rubrics and the those marked by the language teachers is +-5 mark (an acceptable range). As proof of concept of this pilot study, an interview with a MUET language teacher and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) was conducted, the functional testing and user feedback indicate improved grading efficiency, consistency, and rubric-aligned feedback delivery. Most AEGS do not provide feedback but our proposed system not only grade but also provide essay writing feedback that the teachers can adjust accordingly. The feedback from the language teacher stated the usefulness of AI-generated essays feedback indicates the potential to reduce teachers' workload, improve overall feedback quality, and the potential to scale for wider academic use
Efficacy of IV Ketamine in Refractory/Super-Refractory Status Epilepticus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
No full textBackground and Objectives
Intravenous ketamine is increasingly used for refractory and super-refractory status epilepticus(RSE/
SRSE), yet its efficacy and optimal use remain uncertain. We therefore aimed to synthesize the
available evidence to quantify the effectiveness of ketamine in achieving seizure cessation and to
explore differences in treatmentcharacteristics between patients who respond and those who do not.
Methods
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the pooled seizure cessation
rate associated with intravenous ketamine. Secondary analyses compared ketamine initiation
timing, dosing, and infusion duration between patients who achieved seizure cessation (responders) and those who did not (nonresponders)
Comparative Evaluation of Pork-Specific Primer Sets for Detecting Pork DNA in Commercial Meat-based Seasonings by Species-Specific PCR
No full textFood adulteration remains a critical issue in halal food authentication, particularly for highly processed foods. During food processing, exposure to heat, chemicals, and physical treatments often degrades DNA and alters the food matrix, thereby reducing the effectiveness of species identification methods. Despite the widespread application of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), data on the detection of pork DNA in complex food products such as food seasonings remain limited. Previous studies have reported that amplicon length influences primer performance. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of species-specific primers with different amplicon lengths for detecting low concentrations of pork DNA in binary meat mixtures, screening for potential pork adulteration in highly processed seasoning products, and assessing the applicability of pork-specific primers as a screening tool for halal authentication. The DNA was extracted from raw meat, deliberately adulterated meat, and commercial food seasoning products using the DNeasy Mericon Food kit (Qiagen, Germany). Species-specific primers targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (cytb) were used in PCR assays, producing amplicon lengths of 398, 288, and 149 bp for pork, 120 and 133 bp for bovine and chicken, respectively. Primer specificity was evaluated by testing for cross-reactivity against DNA from non-target species, while sensitivity was determined using binary mixtures of pork and other meat species. The applicability of pork-specific primers was assessed in commercial food seasoning products without halal logos, with halal-certified samples included as controls. The results showed that all primer sets exhibited high specificity with no cross-reactivity toward non-target species. Sensitivity analysis revealed that pork DNA could be consistently detected at concentrations of up to 1% in a binary meat mixture using all the pork-specific primers. Despite DNA degradation in highly processed foods, several seasoning samples yielded sufficient DNA quality and quantity for successful amplification, particularly those with a halal logo, suggesting better processing and storage conditions. Among the three pork-specific primers, the shortest amplicon length (149 bp) exhibited the highest sensitivity for detecting pork DNA, as indicated by the intense band on a 2% agarose gel. No pork DNA contamination was detected in any food seasoning product tested, including samples without halal logos. However, chicken DNA was unexpectedly detected in a pork broth cube sample and confirmed by DNA sequencing. BLASTN (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool for Nucleotides) analysis showed a 95.79% similarity, suggesting possible cross-contamination during manufacturing. Repeated testing of additional batches revealed no contamination, indicating that the chicken DNA detected was unintentional and inconsistent across batches. In conclusion, pork-specific PCR targeting the cytb is a specific, sensitive, and cost-effective method for detecting pork DNA in both raw and highly processed foods. This study highlights the importance of primer selection, particularly favouring shorter amplicons, and supports the use of species-specific PCR as a practical screening tool for halal authentication in complex food matrices
When Novelty Skips the Feel-Good: Dual Behavioural Routes of Product Creativity and Social Ambience in Creative Tourism
No full textCreative tourism theory assumes that creative stimuli shape travellers’ behavioural intentions only after being filtered through experience quality (EQ), yet empirical tests of this mechanism are scarce. Re-analysing a Malaysian dataset of 499 respondents, this study uncovers a dual route pattern in which some creative cues operate through EQ, while product novelty also acts directly on behaviour. Using variance-based SEM with a parallel multiple mediation design, two creative stimuli were examined: Creative Product (Novelty and Usefulness) and Press (Physical and Social ambience), with EQ decomposed into its experiential facets. Results show that Press Social is the most influential indirect driver of behavioural intention, as it amplifies EQ which subsequently enhances intention. By contrast, Product Novelty exerts a direct effect in addition to a smaller mediated path, suggesting that novelty can stimulate action even without changes in affective appraisal. An ImportancePerformance Map highlights Press Social as the highest leverage lever, while Novelty represents a low importance but high opportunity factor
Whole genome sequencing to inform the epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the elimination setting of Malaysia
No full textBackground
Imported malaria cases, driven by human migration and travel, pose a significant challenge to malaria elimination efforts. Genomic approaches have become essential for distinguishing between local transmission and imported infections. The state of Sarawak, Malaysia, provides a pertinent example of a malaria-eliminating setting under pressure from Plasmodium parasite importation.
Results
In this study, we analysed 21 Plasmodium falciparum isolates obtained from archived whole blood samples collected between 2008 and 2010 and compared them to 9,518 publicly available isolates from Central Africa (518), East Africa (849), Horn of Africa (25), Oceania (349), South America (75), South Asia (404) Southeast Asia (5,182) and West Africa (2,116). By applying nanopore sequencing and population genomic analyses, we found that most of the cases (n = 13/15) likely originated from endemic regions outside Malaysia, supported by patient travel histories and high multiplicity of infection levels. These findings and drug resistance profiles are consistent with the historical epidemiology of the suspected source regions. Notably, two cases showed genomic evidence of origins inconsistent with the patients’ reported travel histories, underscoring the limitations of traditional epidemiological methods. Identity-by-descent analysis revealed clustering in only two cases, indicating that the majority of infections were likely isolated introductions rather than evidence of sustained local transmission.
Conclusion
Overall, our results highlight the power of malaria genomics in discerning imported from locally acquired cases and emphasise its critical role in maintaining malaria elimination, particularly in regions situated along major migration and labour exchange corridors
Obus : A Two-Dimensional (2D) Game Preserving Bidayuh Folklore and Symbolism
No full textDigital games have the potential to preserve cultural heritage, including the fading traditions of Bidayuh folklore and symbolism. This project aims to develop a 2D game that digitally adapts Bidayuh traditions, providing a modernised way to transmit this cultural knowledge. A 2D HTML game prototype titled Obus was designed and developed. The prototype was hosted on Itch.io for online testing and a separate executable file was distributed for offline testing. Distributed questionnaires consisted of open-ended and close-ended questions based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Responses were collected online and using non-probability sampling techniques. The study involved 33 participants across Malaysia, and their feedback was analysed to determine the feasibility of using game-based learning for cultural preservation. Perceived usefulness achieved a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.74012 while perceived ease of use scored 0.54606. Overall, the System Usability Scale (SUS) results were encouraging (mean=72.27, SD=12.54, n=33), suggesting that the implementation of digital games was perceived as useful and usable. The findings indicated its potential as an engaging and educational tool for preserving Bidayuh heritage while needing to focus on ease of use