39506 research outputs found
Sort by
Comparative Study on Structural Steel Bondek II Decking for Composite Floor Connections: Design Analysis in Compliance with EN 1994-1-1: 2004
No full textDue to their enhanced load-bearing capacity and structural effectiveness, composite slabs – which integrate concrete and profiled steel sheeting – are essential to recent industrial building. The structural performance, endurance and sustainability of these systems are greatly enhanced by the combination of concrete, which provides compressive strength, and Lysaght Bondek II profiled steel sheeting, which provides tensile reinforcement. In accordance with EN 1994-1-1: 2004, this study reevaluates the design of composite floor systems employing Bondek II profiled steel sheeting. The design of composite steel and concrete structures is outlined in Eurocode 4: Part 1-1: General rules and building regulations. The goal is to compare the results of manual Excel calculations with those obtained from MegaFloor software for both construction/formwork and composite (slab) stages. A case study was conducted using Bondek II, a hot-dipped, zinc-coated high-tensile steel, considering various span lengths and load conditions. The partial connection approach, in accordance with EN 1994-1-1: 2004, was used to evaluate shear resistance and bending moments. The analysis revealed a high level of agreement between the manual calculations and the software outputs, with only minor differences in bending moment and shear force values. However, significant discrepancies were captured in the shear (web crippling) capacity, suggesting the need for further validation through an experimental program. Ultimately, the study affirms that MegaFloor software is a reliable tool for composite floor system design, adhering to both British Standards and Eurocodes. The integration of modern software tools with traditional design methods enhances the accuracy, efficiency and sustainability of construction practices
Social Media, Crowdsourcing and Everyday Life Information Seeking: Cultural Heritage Preservation in Borneo Rural Communities
No full textBorneo’s diverse ethnicities in Sarawak face significant geographical and linguistic challenges, making it difficult to document and protect its rich cultural heritage. This study examines the impact of social media on everyday life
information-seeking (ELIS) behaviours within these rural communities. By applying Chatman’s theory regarding the social and psychological aspects of information-seeking, along with uses and gratification theory (UGT), we explore the reasons for media use in this context. Our approach, which combines qualitative crowdsourcing and expert evaluation, demonstrates that social media plays a crucial role in preserving Borneo’s cultural heritage. Over eight months, we collected 342 verified entries related to Sarawak’s cultural heritage, with an impressive 88.4% reliability in the crowdsourced information. The data, primarily sourced from WhatsApp and Facebook, showcased a diverse range of cultural practices across different
ethnic groups. These findings illustrate the effectiveness of social media as a platform for documenting and preserving
cultural heritage in rural Borneo. Additionally, they provide valuable insights into the complexities of information-seeking in small, isolated communities and offer practical recommendations for using social media to support cultural heritage preservation effort
Analisis Kesalahan Tatabahasa Dalam Keratan Akhbar Bagi Parlimen Malaysia Berdasarkan Analisis Tatabahasa Pegangan
No full textThis study aims to identify grammatical errors in newspaper excerpts published on the
official website of the Malaysian Parliament, based on the Prescriptive Grammar approach. The main objective of this research is to identify and explain the types of grammatical errors
found, and to provide appropriate corrections in accordance with the rules of prescriptive
grammar. This study adopts a qualitative method using content analysis, conducted on a total
of 45 selected news reports from the Malaysian Parliament. The findings reveal that the
grammatical errors can be categorised into three main areas: orthography, morphology, and
syntax. Orthographic errors involve issues related to spelling and capitalisation, while
morphological errors include the misuse of function words such as prepositions, conjunctions, copulas, and verbs. As for syntactic errors, they include mistakes in sentence structure, modifier-head (D-M) word order, discourse markers, and phrase construction. In total, this
study identifies 45 major grammatical errors, all of which are analysed descriptively based on
Tatabahasa Dewan (Third Edition, 2008) as well as prescriptive grammar rules. This research
is expected to benefit media writers, students, and language users in understanding and
improving the use of correct grammar in formal writing
KAJIAN MORFOLOGI DIALEK MELAYU SARAWAK DI KAMPUNG SEJINGKAT, KUCHING
No full textThis study aims to describe the word formation processes through reduplication and
compounding in the Malay Sarawak dialect spoken in Kampung Sejingkat, Kuching. The study
focuses on three main objectives: to identify the types of reduplication and compound words,
to analyse the types of reduplication, and to analyse the types of compound words used by
native speakers. This qualitative study employed interview methods involving six permanent
residents of Kampung Sejingkat aged 50 and above. The research instruments included
structured interviews and a list of 100 Swadesh basic words as linguistic reference. Data
analysis was conducted using the framework of Nida’s Structural Grammar Theory (1949) and
the Functional Morphology approach. The findings revealed a total of 29 reduplicated words
and 27 compound words obtained from the informants' speech. The reduplications identified
include full reduplication, pseudo reduplication, rhyming reduplication, and affixed
reduplication. Meanwhile, the compound words identified include free compounds, technical
terms, idiomatic expressions, and solid compounds. These findings indicate that the
morphological processes of reduplication and compounding in this subdialect are still actively
used among native speakers, thus demonstrating that the Malay Sarawak dialect in Kampung
Sejingkat possesses a well-structured and linguistically significant word formation syste
Mitigation of nitrofuran residues in Scylla olivacea (Herbst,1796) through dietary Lacto-sacc supplementation
No full textNitrofuran metabolites, particularly semicarbazide (SEM), 1-aminohydantoin (AHD), 5-methylmorpholino-3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ), and 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ), pose significant risks in aquaculture due to their carcinogenic properties and strict zero-tolerance regulations. This study investigated the effectiveness of a probiotic mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Lacto-sacc) in reducing nitrofuran residues in the range mud crab, Scylla olivacea (Herbst,
1796). Three diets were formulated: a control (0%) and treatments supplemented with Lacto-sacc at 1.0%
and 1.5%. They were housed in breeding boxes inside earthen mangrove broodstock cages designed to simulate natural settings. The crabs were fed Lacto-sacc supplemented diets for 84 days before being tested for nitrofuran metabolites (SEM, AHD, AMOZ, and AOZ) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Initial SEM concentratio ns in control crabs were 1.25±0.06 µg kg -1 , which increased to
1.42±0.04 µg kg -1 after the experimental period. In contrast, SEM levels declined significantly with probiotic supplementation: from 1.24±0.07 to 0.61±0.02 µg kg -1
in the 1.0% group, and 1.27±0.04 to 0.41±0.01 µg kg -1
in the 1.5% group (p < 0.05). Reductions in other nitrofuran derivatives, including AOZ and AMOZ, followed similar trends. Notably, SEM concentrations in the 1.5% treatment fell below the recommended permissible allowance (RPA) (0.5 µg kg -1 ) set by the European Food Safety Authority. These
findings demonstrate that dietary supplementation with Lacto-sacc, particularly at 1.5%, can effectively
mitigate nitrofuran metabolite accumulation in orange mud crabs. The use of probiotics offers a practical,
eco-friendly approach to ensuring food safety, enhancing consumer confidence, and promoting sustainable
aquaculture practices
Mindful marketing and strategic management: Paving a sustainable society through past, present, and future perspectives
No full textMindfulness has gained significant traction within the business community worldwide. Mindful Marketing and Strategic Management focuses on current advancements in the realm of mindfulness and its application for both effective marketing and strategic management practices. It presents readers with techniques to adopt mindfulness as a major driver for long-term success This edited book includes various strategies for marketers and practitioners to engage customers in a thoughtful and meaningful way. Businesses that use a mindful approach may develop true relationships with their target audience, encourage positive consumer behaviour and loyalty, and have a beneficial social effect through their products or services. The book is a great resource for management and practitioners as it provides practical tools and approaches for incorporating mindfulness into effective strategic management practices, such as leadership and workplace culture, which is vital for organisational success and employee wellbeing. The book provides suggestions on how to incorporate mindfulness into strategic planning, decision-making processes, and team cooperation. By using a mindful approach, practitioners may improve their efficacy, inventiveness, and overall performance, eventually contributing to long-term corporate success
Evaluation of Students’ Engagement and Motivation to Participate in Virtual Events
No full textThe swift change of physical to online classes has significantly changed the educational landscape in the era of the new normal. The use of the Internet for online learning has soared significantly, and students are highly dependent on it by intensively and regularly attending classes. The development of online learning offers opportunities not only academic but also extracurricular activities such as virtual events to enhance students’ engagement and motivation in the online learning environment. By using electronic communication such as Google Meet and WhatsApp, students are able to interact and demonstrate their skills, knowledge and confidence in virtual events regardless of their geographical location. Consequently, students are able to feel motivated and engaged with other students and, thus, build up their morale to participate in virtual events. The purpose of this research is to explore the characteristics of students’ engagement and motivation across years of study and gender as factors affecting their participation in virtual student events. The Motivation and Engagement Scale (MES) was adapted, and quantitative analysis of descriptive statistics and an independent t-test were carried out. A simple random sampling of 122 undergraduate students from the construction management course completed the questionnaire. The findings show that overall, students are highly engaged and motivated to participate in virtual events. The research also revealed the underlying key factors of students’ engagement and motivation. The contribution of this research reveals that the transition to online learning, including virtual events facilitated by tools like Google Meet and WhatsApp, significantly enhances student engagement and motivation, providing key insights for improving online educational experiences
Breaking the Brass Ceiling: Challenges and Opportunities for Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Agency
No full textWomen remain underrepresented in leadership positions within law enforcement agencies, where institutional culture continues to be predominantly male-oriented. This study aims to examines the challenges encountered by women officers in advancing to leadership roles within law enforcement agencies. Using a qualitatively designed, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten women officers to explore their experiences and perceptions. The analysis identified three main challenges impeding women’s advancement: cultural and societal expectations, work-life balance constraint, and inadequate organisational support These factors collectively reflect the persistent influence of gendered norms and structural barriers in law enforcement contexts.. To promote gender equity, the study highlights the need for systematic interventions, including regular organisational audits, revised policies, mentorship programmes, training programmes and targeted leadership development initiatives. The findings further substantiate the applicability of Role Congruity Theory in explaining the gendered dynamics of leadership advancement within male-dominated
institutions. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on gender equity in law enforcement agencies and underscores the importance of institutional transformation to support women’s empowerment and equitable representation in leadership positions
Nurturing Industrial Revolution 4.0 Ready Graduates Through Sustainable Academic Programmes
No full textIndustrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) is characterized by a range of new technologies that are combining the physical, digital, and biological worlds that impact all discipline, industry, economy, and education. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak has responded appropriately to prepare both educators and students to thrive the future by rethinking and redesigning their current curriculum approach in academic programmes. This paper discusses on how Universiti Malaysia Sarawak nurture the IR4.0 ready graduates through robust academic programmes in two perspectives: (1) sustainability of academic programmes and (2) monitoring of High Impact Educational Practices (HIEPs) and Future Ready Curriculum (FRC) framework implementation. Sustainability of academic programmes are calculated based on four indicators: programme popularity, graduate on time, graduate employability, and merit of entry. HIEPs and FRC implementation in academic programmes are monitored based on their respective criteria via key performance indicator (KPI) internal audit. The academic programme sustainability index data for the student intake between 2014 and 2016 indicated that most programmes require strengthening strategies or curriculum modification in order to produce future ready graduates. Excellent percentage of HIEPs and FRC implementation in academic programmes were recorded in 2018 and 2023 (90-100%). In conclusion, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak strategic initiatives showed its strong commitment towards enhancement of academic programme for nurturing IR4.0 ready graduates
POTENTIAL OF LITSEA GARCIAE METHANOLIC BARK CRUDE EXTRACT IN TREATING OKADAIC ACID-INDUCED ALZHEIMER'S-LIKE MODEL IN ZEBRAFISH
No full textIntroduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, memory impairment, and behavioural disturbances.
Objectives: To evaluate the effects of methanolic Litsea garciae (LG) bark crude extract on anxiety, locomotion, learning, and memory, as well as its impact on AD-associated oxidative stress biomarkers and related molecular pathways
Methods: AD-like behavior was induced in zebrafish via intraperitoneal administration of okadaic acid (OKA) twice a week. The zebrafish were immersed in LG-treated water for 21 days. Behavioral assessments, including the novel tank test for anxiety-locomotion and the T-maze for learning-memory, were performed, with data collected on days 7, 14, and 21. Brain tissues were harvested for immunoblot analysis and oxidative stress biomarker evaluation.
Results: Behavioral assessments revealed that methanolic LG bark extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced anxiety and enhanced locomotor activity, memory, and learning in a zebrafish model of AD compared to the control. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that LG extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the expression of active phospho-GSK3β (Tyr216) at a minimum concentration of 50 mg/l and phospho-Tau (Ser9) at 25 mg/l. Furthermore, LG extract significantly (p < 0.05) alleviated oxidative stress, as indicated by reductions in lipid peroxidation (LPO) at 25 mg/l and increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity at 50 mg/l.
Conclusion: This study underscores the potential of the LG bark crude methanolic extract in mitigating oxidative stress and inhibiting the activation of GSK3β, leading to improved cognition potentially due to reduced Tau phosphorylation