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Balancing Aesthetic and Nature: A Survey on Landscape Visual Quality and Ecosystem Function Among Garden Visitors
No full textThis study was conducted at 140 years of Penang Botanical Garden (PBG) which serves as a resource of ecosystem services and landscape visual aesthetics for visitors. This study has been undertaken to i) examine visitors' perception on existing landscape visuals, ii) investigate visitor understanding on visual components and their function in garden's ecosystem, iii) suggest guidelines and management strategies to balance between aesthetic and nature. The study employed structured questionnaire surveys from 330 visitors, and the instrument was adapted from Scenic Beauty Estimation Method introduced by Terry C. Daniel 1976. It is a quantitative measure of aesthetic preference for alternative wildland management system and prediction on the aesthetic consequences of alternative land uses. The data was analysed through descriptive statistical techniques. The analysis revealed that respondents highly preferred visual setting that combined with natural elements and produced sense of calm. They also have deep affection towards provisional services such as water, vegetation and air, but has limitation ability to understand the function of timber and soil towards garden's ecosystem. It is suggested that the gap of understanding can be improved through information sharing and knowledge transfer by experts and PBG's management through series of workshop, campaign, reading material and signage's at the garden
International University Carnival on E-Learning: Embracing AI for Innovative Learning and Inclusive Education
No full textThe International University Carnival on E-Learning (IUCEL) is a premier annual event that brings together educators, researchers, technologists, and students to celebrate and advance innovation in e-learning. Hosted by Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), IUCEL serves as a dynamic platform for showcasing cutting-edge educational technologies, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration across institutions and industries. The main objectives of IUCEL are:
• To promote excellence and innovation in e-learning practices.
• To provide a platform for sharing research, development, and implementation of digital learning tools.
• To encourage the development of inclusive and accessible education through technology.
• To recognize outstanding contributions in the field of e-learning through various awards and competitions
Development and evaluation of bamboo nanocellulose PVDF mixed matrix membrane for water purification
No full textThis paper focuses on developing and evaluating bamboo nanocellulose-incorporated PVDF mixed matrix membranes for water purification. We highlight the potential of using bamboo, a renewable and biodegradable resource, to create advanced nanofiltration membranes. These membranes were tested for their effectiveness in removing contaminants such as heavy metals, organic compounds and dyes from water. Five types of membranes were developed, namely a pristine membrane (PVDF), PVDF-1 % nanocellulose membrane (NCM), PVDF-2 %NCM, PVDF-3 %NCM, PVDF-4 %NCM, and PVDF-5 %NCM. These had 1 %, 2 %, 3 %, 4 %, and 5 % nanocellulose-incorporated nanocomposite membrane, respectively. Water permeability and dye rejection performance increased with increasing nanocellulose content from 1 % to 4 %. PVDF-4 %NCM demonstrated the best balance of wate
Key degradation mechanisms of perovskite solar cells and strategies for enhanced stability: issues and prospects
No full textPerovskite materials have garnered significant attention within a very short period of time by achieving competitive efficiency. In addition, this material demonstrated intriguing optoelectronic properties and versatile applications. Although they have confirmed amazing efficiency in solar cells at the laboratory scale, mass commercial manufacturing of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is still a problem due to their poor longevity. Researchers have identified several intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributing to the instability of perovskite compounds and PSCs, and various approaches are being used to increase material quality and stability in order to extend the lifespan of PSCs. Despite these challenges, the potential of perovskite materials in revolutionizing solar energy remains a central point of scientific investigation and development. In this review, a comprehensive analysis is provided to discern the intrinsic and extrinsi
Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Aided Collaborative Design in Industrial Design Education for Final Year Projects (FYP)
No full textThe integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into design education is transforming collaborative learning and creative practice, particularly in Industrial Design. A theoretical framework was developed through the literature review to guide this study, which investigates how AI-assisted tools influence creativity, collaboration, and workflow efficiency in Final Year Projects (FYPs) among 38
Industrial Design students at a Malaysian university. Employing a mixed-methods design, two classes participated in a quasi-experimental comparison: one integrated AI tools throughout the design process, while the other used traditional methods. Students applied AI tools across five project phases: research (Notion AI, Elicit), ideation (DALL·E, MidJourney), design simulation (Fusion 360 AI, Rhino AI), reporting (ChatGPT, Grammarly), and prototyping
(generative design tools). Quantitative data from project rubric scores and supervisor evaluations were complemented by qualitative insights from reflective journals and focus group discussions. Results showed that the AI-assisted class achieved higher creativity and design quality, supported by enhanced efficiency and faster iteration. However, students also reported challenges related to over-reliance on AI, ethical concerns about authorship, and reduced hands-on engagement. The study concludes that AI can serve as a valuable cognitive and creative partner in design education
when integrated within a reflective and human-centered pedagogical framework that maintains critical thinking, originality, and ethical responsibility
THE ROLES OF THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND INNOVATION RESEARCH IN MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE LAST DECADE
No full textClimate change presents urgent challenges that require innovative solutions, with the circular economy emerging as a critical framework for sustainable development. This study does a bibliometric analysis of literature on climate change, circular economy, and innovation sourced from the Scopus database, spanning from 2015 to January 2025. Employing VOSviewer and Biblioshiny to generate knowledge maps and visual representations. An examination of 173 documents yielded substantial insights regarding prevailing and nascent publication tendencies. Key author keywords included “climate change”, "circular economy", "innovation", "sustainable development", and "sustainability”. Journal of Cleaner Production emerged as the leader in productivity. Notably, Germany and Italy ranked as the most productive country in this field. The theme evaluation maps indicated a focus on essential study areas, including waste reduction, resource efficiency enhancement, and eco-innovation integration, wherein the circular economy facilitates climate action and fosters economic and environmental resilience. This study emphasises the interrelated functions of renewable energy, sustainable business strategies, and collaboration in tackling global environmental challenges. It highlights the circular economy's capacity to facilitate systemic transformation, alleviate climatic effects, and establish a low-carbon, sustainable future. The findings can assist researchers and manager in transitioning to a circular economy through innovation aimedat mitigating global warmin
ANTHROPOMETRIC AND ENDURANCE ADAPTATIONS FOLLOWING A FOUR-WEEK MICRO-EXERCISE REGIME AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS
No full textIntroduction: Micro-exercise, which involves short bursts of high-intensity activity, is emerging as a practical and time-efficient strategy to promote physical health, particularly in populations with limited time, such as medical students. Despite its potential, limited data exist on its effects on anthropometric outcomes and physical endurance among the medical students population. This study aimed to assess the impact of a structured micro-exercise intervention on selected anthropometric and physical endurance parameters.
Methods: A total of 48 preclinical medical students were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The intervention group engaged in micro-exercise sessions four times per week. Anthropometric measurements (waist and hip circumference, body weight), muscular endurance (push-ups count), and cardiovascular recovery (pulse rate post-step test), were recorded pre- and post-intervention. Non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon Signed-Rank and Mann–Whitney U) were used due to non-normal data distribution.
Results: Significant within-group improvements were found in the intervention group for hip circumference (p = 0.002), push-up performance (p = 0.001), and pulse rate post-exercise (p = 0.022). Between-group comparisons showed significant improvements in hip circumference (p = 0.011) and push-ups (p = 0.047). No significant changes in body weight were observed.
Conclusion: A four-week micro-exercise regimen resulted in measurable improvements in anthropometric indicators and physical endurance among medical students. These findings suggest micro-exercise as a promising tool for improving musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health. Extended duration and larger samples are recommended for future studies.
Keywords: Micro-exercise, physical endurance, anthropometric outcomes, medical student
DETERMINATION OF THE ACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN THE EXTRACT OF THE BERBERIS VULGARIS LEAVES PREPARATION FOR ITS APPLICATION TO PREVENT A PEPTIC GASTRIC ULCER
No full textPeptic ulcer disease is a chronic condition with high prevalence, which is being treated by numerous gastroprotective drugs with a few side effects
and adverse influences on the pharmacokinetics of comedications. Therefore, traditional medicine becomes a high demand in treating this disorder.
Numerous herbal medications are used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Among them, Berberis vulgaris plays an important role, as its fruit extract was shown to have antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity against the causative agent H. pylori.
Objective: To establish a reliable method of preparing Berberis vulgaris leaves extract and determining its active components.
Material and methods: The spectrophotometric method was used to determine the active components in the alcohol extract of Berberis vulgaris leaves extract.
Results: Chemical analysis showed that the Berberis vulgaris leaf extract contains 0.48±0.09% of flavonoids, 0.07±0,02% of alkaloids, and 8.05±0.17% of tanning substances, which make it suitable for application as prevention of gastric ulcer development.
Conclusion: This study established an efficient, sensitive, and selective method for simultaneous determination of the flavonoids, alkaloids, and tanning substances in the Berberis vulgaris leaves extract, which could be successfully applied to prevent gastric ulcer development in preclinical trials
The Perception of Bintulu Community Towards Ecotourism in Similajau National Park
No full textNestled along the stunning coastline of Sarawak, Malaysia, Similajau National Park is a biodiversity hotspot and a vital sanctuary for sea turtles. Similajau’s Golden Shores and the Guardians of Biodiversity is a comprehensive exploration of this unique ecosystem, offering a multidisciplinary perspective on its ecological significance, conservation challenges, and the intricate relationships between its flora, fauna, and human communities. This groundbreaking work begins with an introduction to Similajau National Park, setting the stage for an in-depth examination of its geophysical and magnetic characteristics, which influence the nesting behaviors of sea turtles. Discover the secrets hidden in the sand as the book delves into the lives of Similajau’s turtles, their nesting habits, and the critical role of coastal vegetation in providing shade and protection for their eggs. The book also addresses pressing environmental issues, such as the impact of marine debris on turtle nesting beaches and the challenges posed by declining water quality in the park’s coastal areas. It explores the density of estuarine crocodiles in Sungai Likau, the diversity of plankton, and the indirect influence of soil fertility on the surrounding ecosystem. Beyond turtles, the book highlights the park’s rich biodiversity, including rapid assessments of potential medicinal plants, primates, and invertebrates, using cutting-edge techniques like environmental DNA (eDNA). It also examines the perceptions of the Bintulu community toward ecotourism, emphasizing the importance of balancing conservation with sustainable development. Rich with scientific insights, vivid imagery, and compelling narratives, Similajau’s Golden Shores and the Guardians of Biodiversity is an essential resource for ecologists, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts. It is both a call to action and a celebration of one of Southeast Asia’s most treasured natural wonders, offering hope and guidance for the preservation of these fragile ecosystems for generations to come