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Weaving a Greener Tomorrow : A Mini Review of Bamboo Fiber, Textiles and Hand-woven Techniques for Sustainable Innovation
Get PDFBamboo, known for its rapid growth and renewability, offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fibers, targeting the environmental effects of the textile and clothing industries. This review paper examines art-crafted weaving techniques, highlighting the incorporation of bamboo into traditional and modern designs to enhance the sustainability of bamboo-woven products. The paper thoroughly analyzes bamboo fiber extraction and hand-crafted techniques to produce sustainable, technical, and functional items such as sportswear and medical textiles. It also addresses the challenges linked to utilizing bamboo in textiles. Special emphasis is given to integrating bamboo into traditional weaving methods as a sustainable approach to enhance its uniqueness and preserve cultural heritage. By exploring sustainable practices and artistic innovation, this paper underscores the significance of connecting traditional craftsmanship with contemporary weaving design principles to fill research and practice gaps. In light of the ecological challenges posed by fast fashion, this study promotes sustainable practices by incorporating renewable materials and prioritizing brilliant material selection. Ultimately, this review emphasizes the vital role of design in fostering sustainability and provides a roadmap for preserving weaving traditions
Empowering SME Potential : How AI Information Quality Fuels Market Orientation Success in the Digital Age
No full textSmall and medium enterprises (SMEs) face increasing pressure to leverage data for agile decision-making in today’s competitive landscape. Existing market orientation
frameworks, while valuable, often fail to capture the dynamic and rapidly changing market conditions that artifcial intelligence (AI)-powered real-time insights can
provide, creating a critical gap in understanding how SMEs can efectively integrate AI to enhance MO and drive performance. This study addresses this gap by exploring the moderating role of AI information quality on the relationship between MO and SME performance among 130 Malaysian SMEs actively using AI. Specifcally,
we examine how the accuracy and currency of AI-driven data infuence the impact of customer orientation, competitor orientation, and inter-functional coordination on SME performance. Our fndings reveal that high-quality AI information signifcantly amplifes the positive efects of both customer and competitor orientation on SME performance. This suggests that AI, combined with high-quality data, empowers SMEs with enhanced customer insights and competitive intelligence, leading to improved strategic adaptation and performance outcomes. These fndings ofer
valuable implications for SMEs globally, suggesting that investments in high-quality AI-driven data and its integration with MO strategies can lead to signifcant performance gains across diverse markets. Furthermore, these fndings inform policymakers on strategies to support SME growth in the digital economy by promoting AI adoption and data literacy initiatives
Exploring the Relationships Among AI, Agrifood Supply Chain Management Practices,Resilience, and Performance
No full textThis study investigates the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on agri-food supply chain resilience (ASCR) and performance in China's agricultural sector. Using data collected from 194 senior executives of Chinese agri-food companies during August-September 2024, the research examines how organizational factors-top management
support (TMS), supplier integration (SI), internal management (IM), customer integration (CI), and supply chain
collaboration (SCC)-influence ASCR, and how AI moderates these relationships. Employing partial least squares
structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the findings reveal that TMS, IM, and CI significantly enhance ASCR, with
AI demonstrating a significant moderating effect specifically on the IM-ASCR relationship. The study contributes to understanding how digital transformation through AI can enhance supply chain resilience and performance in the agri-food sector. These findings provide practical insights for agri-food executives in developing effective strategies to improve supply chain resilience and performance through AI integration, particularly in the context of emerging markets
Amine‑functionalized radiation‑grafted nylon‑6 fbers : synthesis and adsorption performance for diclofenac sodium
No full textThe removal of pharmaceutical contaminants from water sources remains a critical challenge due to the limited efciency and high cost of the current technologies. This study presents the development of innovative fbrous adsorbents synthesized through radiation-induced graft-copolymerization (RIGC) of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto nylon-6 (Ny6) fbers. These GMA-grafted fbers were subsequently functionalized with 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP) and diethylenetriamine (DETA), resulting in the formation of DAP(GMA-g-Ny6) and DETA(GMA-g-Ny6) adsorbents. By optimizing the graft yield (%), amine functionality, and reaction time, the amine densities of 3.39 and 2.66 mmol/g were achieved for DAP(GMA-g-Ny6) and DETA(GMA-g-Ny6), respectively. The analytical techniques, including FTIR, XPS, SEM, BET, TGA, and XRD confrmed successful amine incorporation and characterized the structural changes. The preliminary adsorption experimental results demonstrated that the DAP and DETA functionalized fbers exhibited high adsorption capacities, with DAP(GMA-g-Ny6) achieving a maximum diclofenac sodium removal efciency of 99%, compared to 90% for DETA(GMA-g-Ny6). The superior performance of DAP(GMA-g-Ny6) can be attributed to its high amine density (3.00 mmol/g), which provides extensive amine group coverage on the surface of the grafted fber, thereby facilitating strong hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions with diclofenac sodium molecules. These fndings suggest that the amine-functionalized nylon-6 fbers synthesized through
RIGC ofer a promising and efective solution for the removal of diclofenac sodium from water, highlighting their potential application in environmental remediation
Integrating gamification to increase users’ engagement to adhere COVID-19 interventions using extended TAM
Get PDFGamification has shown potential for enhancing motivation and engagement, yet its effectiveness in promoting adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures remains underexplored. With decreasing public attentiveness, this study examines the role of gamification in encouraging compliance with health protocols through an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) and structural equation modeling (SEM). A gamified mobile application was developed, incorporating features such as points, badges, and progress tracking, and was designed to appeal to younger audiences. Data collected from 150 secondary school students in Sarawak, Malaysia, indicated that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and attitude toward the app significantly influenced engagement with COVID-19 preventive measures. Among these factors, perceived usefulness demonstrated the strongest effect on engagement (β = 0.424, t = 4.812, p < 0.001). The findings highlight the potential of gamification to enhance compliance with COVID-19 protocols
Framing of Sexual Dysfunction in Sarawak English Newspapers
No full textTopics such as sexual difficulties, impotence, and diminished libido are sensitive issues in Malaysia. Due to the stigma attached to sexual dysfunction, there is lack of research on how the media represents sexual dysfunction, resulting in lack of understanding on how newspapers are educating and influencing public attitudes and perceptions of the condition. This study examined how sexual dysfunction is framed in two English-language newspapers from Sarawak: The Borneo Post and New Sarawak Tribune. The objectives of the study are to: (1) determine the dominance of episodic and thematic framing of news articles on sexual dysfunction, (2) describe the frame dimensions of news articles on sexual dysfunction, and (3) identify the valence of news articles on sexual dysfunction. A search of the online newspaper archives was made using the search terms “sexual dysfunction” and “erectile dysfunction”. The framing analysis was conducted for 12 articles on sexual dysfunction published in 2010-2024 in The Borneo Post and New Sarawak Tribune. The findings reveal a predominance of thematic framing (8 out of 12 articles), reflecting a focus on broader social and medical contexts rather than individual cases. This tendency is influenced by cultural sensitivities surrounding sexual dysfunction, which discourage the use of personal narratives. The dominant frame dimension is the responsibility frame, primarily giving credit to expert contributions and providing solutions to problems, rather than assigning blame. Only two articles employed a human interest frame, both in relation to associated health conditions rather than sexual dysfunction itself to avoid exposing the individuals involved. One article adopted a conflict frame, indicating minimal relevance of public disputes in this context. In terms of valence, most articles presented a balance of positive and negative tone, promoting a more objective and less stigmatising portrayal. The study suggests that thematic framing, neutral valence, and attribution of responsibility to individuals suffering from sexual dysfunction are strategies to create awareness and engage the audience
A Time- and Cost-Effective eDNA Protocol to Survey Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) in Tropical Rivers
No full textTropical freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) are one of the most endangered groups of animals globally, but conservation is hindered by a lack of species distribution data. Traditional hand-sampling is time- and cost-intensive and not always possible, for example, because of the presence of crocodiles. Surveying freshwater mussel populations by environmental DNA (eDNA) could potentially rapidly increase data availability, but no published study and protocols targeted towards tropical freshwater mussels
are available to date. We aimed to develop a reliable and cost-efficient eDNA protocol for surveying tropical freshwater mussels. We first developed and validated a qPCR primer-probe assay within the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene for Rectidens sumatrensis. We applied this assay in a controlled laboratory setting on eDNA collected from lake and river water, respectively, at two different R. sumatrensis densities in order to test a set of 18 different protocols for capturing, preserving, and extracting freshwater mussel eDNA. All protocols use equipment that is readily available and reusable. Our results revealed that samples stored in Longmire's buffer (at 4°C) yielded more mussel DNA than when stored in absolute ethanol (at −20°C), with 0.45μm, and eDNA extracted with the Qiagen DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit rather than the PowerSoil ProKit (albeit latter exhibiting fewer instances of amplification in negative controls). The assay detailed here was capable of detecting down to R. sumatrensis eDNA concentrations of 6.38×10−7ng/μL and reflected the difference in stocking density
5,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone (PMF) exhibits anti-obesity and neuroprotective effects in an obese zebrafish model
Get PDFObesity is a multi-chronic illness characterized by superfluous fat accumulation, contributing to significant
metabolic and neurological complications. Current therapeutic approaches have limited efficacy and notable side effects, underscoring an urgent demand for novel, safer alternatives. This study is the first to investigate the anti-obesity potential of 5,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone (PMF) in vivo using a zebrafish model. Our findings demonstrate that PMF administration exerts pronounced anti-obesogenic effects, evidenced by reductions in blood glucose, plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, hepatic low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Mechanistically, PMF suppressed hepatic adipogenic and lipogenic gene expression while promoting lipid catabolism through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) and its downstream enzymes, including acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1), medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (ACADM), and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1B (CPT-1β). Additionally, PMF markedly mitigated oxidative stress by lowering malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, accompanied by increased antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Notably, PMF effectively prevented obesity by suppressing food intake, down-regulating orexigenic genes, and enhancing anorexigenic signals. Furthermore, PMF exhibited neuroprotective properties by elevating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase B2 (TrkB2), revealing a novel link between metabolic and neurological regulation. This study provides pioneering, comprehensive in vivo evidence supporting PMF as a promising therapeutic candidate with dual beneficial roles in metabolic health and neuroprotection
An Emotion-based Belief-Desire-Intention Methodology for Fire Evacuation Simulation
Get PDFThis research aims to extend the Belief-Desire-Intention (BDI) methodology by
incorporating emotions to provide a more authentic simulation of complex human behaviour
in fire evacuation scenarios. Emotions play a vital role in decision-making processes, making
their accurate representation necessary for realistic simulations. Building upon these
findings, two experiments were conducted: Experiment 1 compares the effectiveness of the
emotion-based BDI methodology against the extended BDI methodology in modelling agent
behaviour during fire evacuations. Experiment 2 employs the System Usability Scale (SUS)
score to assess the usability of the emotion-based BDI methodology. The outcomes of both
experiments demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach to create more accurate and
insightful simulations. This study expands the understanding of the relationship between
emotions and behaviour and contributes to the refinement of the emotion-based BDI
methodology, making the way for improved simulations across diverse scenarios. Through
this research, the potential of enhancing computer simulations with emotions, offering a
more authentic representation of human behaviour and decision-making in critical situations,
can be observed. This research contributes to extending the BDI methodology by
incorporating emotional factors to improve decision-making during fire evacuations. By
designing an emotion-oriented BDI framework and evaluating key emotional properties, the
study enhances the realism and reliability of evacuation simulations. The integration of
emotions leads to more accurate decision-making patterns, resulting in better safety
outcomes and more realistic simulations that closely mirror real-world human behaviour in
emergencies. Hence, from the results of the analysis, the emotion-based BDI methodology
can be used to present human responses, providing a valuable framework for future
advancements in simulation technology and applications
Mapping Danger Zones : GIS-Based Spatiotemporal Analysis of Assaults in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Malaysia
Get PDFThis study investigates the spatial and temporal dynamics of assault crimes involving dangerous weapons under Section 324 of the Malaysian Penal Code, focusing on Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya from 2015 to 2020. The research addresses the critical issue of understanding urban crime patterns to inform effective preventive measures. Using a geographic information system (GIS)- based methodology, the study employs spatial autocorrelation (Global Moran’s I), mean centre analysis and standard deviational ellipse to identify and characterize crime hotspots and trends across different time frames. Findings reveal significant clustering of assaults, particularly during evening (12:00–6:59 PM) and night (7:00–11:59 PM) hours, with an alarming increase in evening incidents. These results underscore the need for time-sensitive interventions targeting high-risk periods and locations. The study concludes that advanced spatial analysis offers invaluable insights into urban crime, advocating for its integration into proactive policing strategies and urban planning. This research contributes to improving public safety by enabling data-driven decision-making and fostering sustainable crime prevention policies