UNIMAS Journal (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)
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Community Study of Brachyuran Crab at Setiu Lagoon, Terengganu, Malaysia
Get PDFBrachyuran crab of Setiu Lagoon was systematically sampled between July 2011 and May 2012 to determine the community structure of animals and their relationship with environmental parameters. The semiterrestrial crabs were collected from a 100 m2 quadrat at eight stations. In addition, fishing devices were used to collect true aquatic crabs employed at the subtidal habitat. Forty-four species and 13 families were identified representing semiterrestrial and true aquatic crabs (i.e., Sesarmidae, Varunidae, Grapsidae, Ocypodidae, Macropthalmidae, Dotillidae, Camptandriidae, Pilumnidae, Portunidae, Eriphiidae, Oziidae, Dorippidae and Leucosiidae). Parasesarma plicatum, Perisesarma eumolpe, Clistocoeloma merguiense, Haberma sp., Uca (Austruca) annulipes, Uca (Gelasimus) vocans, and Moguai aloutos) were widely distributed in this lagoon. ST5 (at mix mangrove forest) recorded the highest number of species with density (12 ind.m-2), species richness (D = 2.68 ± 0.72), species evenness; (J’ = 0.90 ± 0.06) and species diversity (H’ = 2.17 ± 0.32) as compared to other stations. The results indicated that water salinity, pH and sediment grain size influence the community pattern of brachyuran in this lagoon
Comparative Diversity of Bats in Two Contrasting Habitats in Terengganu
Get PDFDifferentiations in the habitat and resource utilisation lead to segregation and specialisation of niches for bats within the structurally complex tropical rainforest in Malaysia. This research aims to characterise chiropterans’ assemblages found in two different habitat types in Tasik Kenyir (dipterocarp forest) and Setiu (oil palm plantation). A total of 48 sampling nights were conducted within two years period from March 2017 to March 2019 which covered four sampling sites in Tasik Kenyir and four sites at Setiu. Two standard four-bank harp traps and 10 mist nets were deployed throughout the study at every site to capture bats at understory levels. This makes a total of 576 sampling efforts for both areas. Song Meter SM2bats and Echo Meter Touch from Wildlife Acoustic were used to record the echolocation of insectivorous bats. The total number of individuals and species observed were used to determine species diversity, richness, and evenness. Paleontological statistic software was used to generate the rank abundance and species accumulation curves. Bray-Curtis similarity index was used to generalise the index that represents the relative abundance of the sampling sites. A total of 835 individuals comprising 31 species from six families were captured at both study areas. Out of 835 individuals, 695 were captured within Tasik Kenyir comprising 27 species from six families (H = 2.381) while 140 individuals were captured in Setiu comprising 20 species from five families (H = 2.40). The diversity of bats in Tasik Kenyir was hypothesised to be higher than in Setiu as the habitat possess a larger undisturbed forest. However, the result showed the opposite in which no significant difference was detected from the diversity index calculated between these two areas. Detailed studies need to be conducted to determine if some areas are used as transient habitats for bats
A Preliminary Study on the Beetle Fauna in Peat Swamp Forest of Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
Get PDFThe largest peatland in Malaysia is in Sarawak with approximately 1.66 million ha (13%) of total area, distributed widely in Sibu division followed by Sri Aman, Miri, Kota Samarahan, Sarikei and Bintulu. Despite being the most diverse animal species, the study of insects in peat swamp forest, particularly beetles, is still in the incipient stage. Therefore, this study aimed to provide recent information on the beetle species composition in a peat swamp forest of Real Living Lab, UNIMAS (RLL) located in Kota Samarahan. Beetles were sampled for five consecutive days and nights within a seven-day sampling trip in August 2020. Three sampling methods were employed in this study, namely handpicking method (HPM), modified Pennsylvanian light trap (MPLT) and pitfall trapping (PFT). A total of 15 families representing 37 species and morphospecies with 185 individuals were successfully collected. The most speciose family from the beetle assemblages in RLL is Scarabaeidae with eight species collected (21.62%), followed by Curculionidae with six species (16.22%) and Staphylinidae with five species (13.51%). The most abundant family was also represented by Scarabaeidae with 64 individuals (34.59%), followed by Scolytidae with 27 individuals (14.59%) and Carabidae with 23 individuals (12.43%), respectively. This suggests that these families are good candidates as biodiversity indicator of peat swamp forests. This study is still in its preliminary stage; hence it is important to conduct further beetle samplings in future to better understand the potential of beetle as a bioindicator in the peat swamp habitat as an effort to conserve and protect the habitat and the biodiversity that came along with it.
 
Histopathology of Pre-diabetic White Rat (Rattus norvegicus L.) Renal After Treatment with Turmeric Powder and Organic Quail Eggs
Get PDFPre-diabetic is a disease that is caused by insulin resistance, which is identified by higher blood glucose levels than normal. Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) contains curcumin compounds that act as antioxidants to prevent damage from free radicals and to repair damaged kidney tissue from pre-diabetic condition. Organic quail eggs are supplements that can help to repair kidney tissue. This study investigated the effect of turmeric powder and organic quail eggs on pre-diabetic kidney tissue histopathology of male white rats. Twenty-five male white rats (Rattus norvegicus L.) were used in this study and they were divided into 5 treatment groups, namely D0 (normal white rats were given standard diet), D1 (positive control, pre-diabetic white rats were given standard diet), D2 (pre-diabetic white rats were given turmeric powder 1.35 mg/head/day), D3 (pre-diabetic white rats were given 1 organic quail egg/head/day), and D4 (pre-diabetic white rats were given turmeric powder 1.35 mg/head/day and 1 organic quail egg/head/day). This research was done within 60 days. The results of the study were analysed using the ANOVA and Duncan tests. The analysis results showed that turmeric powder and organic quail eggs treatments had a significant effect on the observed parameters. The conclusion of this study is that the effect of turmeric powder and organic quail eggs has the potential to repair the kidney tissue of pre-diabetic white rat
Shariah Compliance Practice: An Analysis of Trends among Islamic Banks in Nigeria
Get PDFThe objective of this study is to examine the trends related to the Shariah compliance practice among Islamic banks in Nigeria. It is also conducted to establish the loopholes in the existing Islamic banking system and to suggest measures to remove Shariah non-compliance in Islamic banks in Nigeria. The study is based on primary data. The data was gathered through a questionnaire survey with the employees, researchers, and Islamic banking experts. The study is based on descriptive findings by analysis of mean, standard deviation, and variance to examine the trends of Shariah compliance practice in Islamic banks in Nigeria. The study found that Islamic banks in Nigeria are doing well in terms of Shariah compliance practice relating to their products and services. Besides, the advisory committee of experts are quite knowledgeable in determining fatwa and rulings in all Islamic banking matters in Nigeria. This is because Shariah compliance is considered as the backbone of Islamic banking as it gives legitimacy to their products and services. The study has implications for all the banks, customers, Shariah Advisory Committee, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders in Nigeria to further checkmate the various factors that could prevent Shariah non-compliance. The study, therefore, recommends extensive efforts via Shariah knowledge and seriousness of the bank employees as well as regulatory authorities to enforce Shariah compliance thereby guiding customers to choose Islamic banking products in a better and improved way
Cloud Computing Adoption in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): A Systematic Literature Review and Directions for Future Research
Get PDFThis paper presents a systematic literature review of the current state of cloud computing adoption (CC) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the main objective of providing insights into data analysis techniques, CC services being investigated, and further assessing studies and their associated theories/frameworks, publication trends and outlets, geographical distribution and the most important adoption factors over 10 years (2011-2020). Six databases were consulted for a total of 76 articles. The findings indicate that Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and interpretative analysis were the most frequently used quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. Generic CC services were investigated more than specific CC business applications. The number of publications has fluctuated over the last decade, and the vast majority did not incorporate any underlying theory. The Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development and IEEE conferences proceedings were major publication outlets. Asia recorded the highest number of studies, whereas cost savings is the most important adoption factor. This study contributes to CC research by providing deeper insights into data analysis techniques used, CC services investigated, and other crucial research issues of CC adoption in SMEs to guide future research directions and SMEs' cloud computing implementation
The Fiscal Multiplier and Its Determinants: An Econometric Analysis for the Case of Jordan during the Period (1975-2017)
Get PDFThis study aimed to analyze the impacts of government expenditure and the public revenues on economic growth via the estimation of the fiscal multipliers for the period of (1975-2017). Also, the study analyzed the value and effects of the determinants of this multiplier, namely the openness of trade, public debt, the exchange rate, and the size of automatic stabilizers. In order to achieve these purposes, the study used the descriptive approach and the Auto-Regressive Distribution Lag (ARDL) approach. the tests showed that the variables became stationary after taking the first difference, and the variables are co-integration. The results of the study showed that the value of the fiscal multiplier of the government expenditure in the short and long term is about (1.34 and 3.60) respectively, and if we added its determinants, the value of the multiplier is estimated (2.80 and 2.97) respectively. The fiscal multiplier for the public revenues was estimated (1.17 and 4.10) respectively in the short and long term, but in the case of adding its determinants, the multiplier value is estimated (0.80 and 3.97) respectively. Based on the findings, the study recommended the government to increase its capital expenditures, although at the expense of carrying additional debt at present, to provide higher economic growth and encourage and attract an environment for investments
The Impact of Innovation, Organizational, Technological Capital on Innovation Performance of SMEs: The Mediating Effect of Innovative Intelligence
Get PDFInnovation is crucial for SMEs to survive and impacts the national economy. The present study is conducted in the context of knowledge-based SMEs in Malaysia concerning structural capital (technology capital, innovation capital, and organizational capital), innovative intelligence, and innovation performance. A survey was carried out through a face-face interview and online. A total of 136 usable questionnaires were then analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). This study has shed light on the role of the structural capital of knowledge-based SMEs on innovation performance. While structural capital is significant for organizations to achieve their competitive advantage and should be given necessary attention compared to human capital, innovation and technological capital were not fully capitalized. The presence of innovative intelligence in SMEs helps to be innovative. This result will be encouraging to SMEs in other developing countries. The results obtained are useful for SMEs, especially knowledge-based firms where technology and innovation are critical to achieving a competitive advantage. The results are also significant for agencies that handle SMEs in high-tech and policymakers to increase performance and promote economic stability
Impact of Country of Origin on Brand Love: An Empirical Study of Select Denim Jeans Brands
Get PDFThis research paper aims to analyze the impact of attitude towards country of origin on brand love for some select US and Indian denim jeans brands. Further the impact of brand love is also studied on loyalty and word of mouth. Survey based research using convenience sampling was used for data collection using self-administered questionnaires. The study has used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using AMOS 20 for data analysis. The empirical analysis shows that the attitude toward the country of origin does not impact the feelings of brand love. However, it was found that brand love impacts loyalty and word of mouth considerably. The findings have been derived from the sample of students from one university. Also, the study has not taken into account high-end fashion brands, thus limiting the generality of the findings to all brands. The findings provide a new dimension called brand love which both the foreign and domestic brands must give due credence to when framing of their branding strategies. By aiming to assess the relationship between the constructs of country of origin and brand love, for which sparsely few studies are found in the existing literature, this paper contributes to the growth of literature in the field of brand love
Facilitate Affective Commitment and Organizational Citizenship Behavior of the Technology Employees in the Chinese IT Companies
Get PDFThis study aims to understand the antecedents of affective commitment and organizational citizenship behavior (OCBO) of technology employees in Chinese IT Companies. Job satisfaction, which is a positive job attitude is identified as the mediator for the relationships between family-supportive supervisor (FSS), challenge job demands, and affective commitment and organizational citizenship behavior (OCBO) of the technology employees in the Chinese IT Companies. IT industry is a promising industry in China. However, the Chinese IT companies have an overtime culture, which is highly related to the commitments of the technology employees. PLS-SEM (partial least squares structural equation modeling) by Smart PLS 3.2 version software is adopted for the data analysis, which includes the measurement model and structural model analysis. 304 technology employees from three Chinese IT companies participated in this research survey. After the data analysis, challenge job demands and FSS are positively related to job satisfaction while FSS is directly connected with affective commitment and OCBO of the technology employees in Chinese IT companies. Moreover, job satisfaction plays a positively mediating role between the exogenous variables and endogenous variables in this study. The current research provides useful insights into the strategies taken that could enhance affective commitment and OCBO of the technology employees in Chinese IT companies